Daniel Ricciardo may maintain the way forward for Haas’ Mick Schumacher in his palms, relying on the place he finally ends up subsequent season.
Already accepting he’ll be out of a automotive subsequent yr, Ricciardo remains to be being closely linked to a transfer to Mercedes as a reserve driver for Lewis Hamilton and George Russell, though nothing is in concrete as but.
However whereas Ricciardo’s future remains to be be determined, he could be the primary domino to fall as he potential holds Mick Schumacher’s destiny in his scorching little hand.
Schumacher has lengthy been linked with an exit from Haas as Nico Hulkenberg’s return to the grid has lengthy been rumoured, leaving the son of arguably the best driver of all-time out within the chilly.
Haas boss Guenther Steiner revealed in the course of the constructor’s press convention a selection had been made and that it might be revealed in the course of the week.
If Schumacher is with no seat, there’s a potential transfer nonetheless – reserve driver…at Mercedes.
Ricciardo is believed to be tossing up a transfer to Mercedes or again to Pink Bull. With the latter, he can be a beautiful choice subsequent to Max Verstappen if Sergio Perez does not impress.
Auto Motor und Sport’s Michael Schmidt stated if Ricciardo turns his again on Mercedes, Schumacher can be Mercedes’ “first selection”.
“For Schumacher, a reserve driver contract with a crew that’s third within the World Championship wouldn’t be a step backwards however sideways,” he believes. “He could be taught extra there than with a small crew in racing.
“And he would even be the reserve driver for a lot of the Mercedes buyer groups. Solely Aston Martin have a reserve driver from their very own ranks in 2023.
“The instance of Nyck de Vries exhibits that with so many choices, it could shortly turn out to be a racing seat once more.”
Nonetheless, this all hinges on Ricciardo’s resolution.
