Mick Schumacher ‘set to be replaced by Nico Hulkenberg at Haas’

Mick Schumacher could run out of a place on the Formula 1 grid next year and Haas will reportedly replace him with Formula 1 veteran Nico Hulkenberg.

The son of legendary seven-time champion Michael, he has struggled during his two seasons in the sport, scoring just 12 points and being far surpassed by his more experienced teammate Kevin Magnussen.

At the Brazilian Grand Prix, Magnussen took a surprising pole position, while Schumacher finished last in 20th place – a testament to the contrast in fortunes the two drivers have had this season.

Haas is expected to announce their second driver to partner Magnussen in the coming days BILD have reported that Schumacher will be replaced by German compatriot Hülkenberg.

Mick Schumacher is expected to be without a seat for the 2023 Formula 1 season

Hulkenberg, a 181-race veteran, has been without a full-time drive since the 2019 season – although he has filled in for Sergio Perez, Lance Stroll and Sebastian Vettel in the past three seasons when they all tested positive for Covid-19.

Schumacher has been signed by Ferrari as part of the Italian team’s driver academy.

That contract expires next month and Haas, who drives Ferrari engines, also seems to want to say goodbye to the 2020 Formula 2 champion.

Schumacher could get some sort of reprieve, though Motorsport reporting that Mercedes are ‘open’ to giving him a spare role behind their current drivers Lewis Hamilton and George Russell.

Nico Hulkenberg will replace Schumacher after not having a full-time drive in Formula 1 since the end of the 2019 season when he was dropped by Renault (now Alpine)

Mick’s father Michael has a long history with Mercedes having competed in their junior racing program in the World Sportscar Championship – before making his Formula 1 debut in 1991.

After initially retiring from the sport in 2006 following two championships at Benneton and a further five at Ferrari, the older Schumacher returned as Mercedes made their comeback to the sport by taking over reigning champions Brawn GP.

Schumacher spent three seasons with Mercedes before retiring in 2012.

Asked about the possibility of Mick Schumacher joining in a reserve role in 2023, Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff admitted his interest.

“I don’t know what the status is with Mick at Haas,” said Wolff. “I think the most important thing for him is to get a racing cockpit.

Schumacher could get a spare role at Mercedes behind Lewis Hamilton and George Russell

Mick’s father Michael ended his legendary Formula 1 career with the team in 2012

But I make no secret of the fact that the Schumacher family is part of Mercedes, that we really appreciate Mick as a personality and as a driver.

“That is why we will certainly discuss this option if it arises. But the first priority should be to finish in a racing cockpit, because that’s what he can and deserves.”

Mercedes must sign a new reserve driver for next year, as the existing back-ups, Nyck de Vries and Stoffel Vandoorne, have taken on roles elsewhere. De Vries will drive full-time at AlphaTauri from next season, while Vandoorne will join Aston Martin as a reserve.

Schumacher scored a best finish of sixth at the Austrian Grand Prix in July, but has scored just two points in 42 races with Haas.

Haas is expected to announce who will partner Kevin Magnusse