Mick Schumacher has completed a Formula 1 test with McLaren.
The German driver was put behind the wheel of the MCL35M used in the 2021 season on Wednesday, at the Portimao track in Portugal. F1 rules currently allow for cars two or more years old to be used for such tests.
Schumacher is a Mercedes reserve driver for this season. This test was arranged as part of that role, given that McLaren is an engine customer of the team – while other ties are also shared.
Another arrangement between them is that McLaren has access to Mercedes' pool of reserve drivers. That agreement previously gave the Woking-based team the chance to race Nyck de Vries or Stoffel Vandoorne if required.
The same arrangement now applies to Schumacher. If for any reason Lando Norris or Oscar Piastri is unable to take part in a race weekend, then McLaren can call upon Schumacher to step in and race in their absence.
Wednesday's Portimao test was arranged with such a situation in mind. Schumacher has never before worked with McLaren's engineers and strategists, so the test was a chance for him to familiarise himself with the way the team works so he is better prepared if he races for them between now and the end of this season.
And he wasn't the only one getting in some useful practice. McLaren posted on social media: "Joining Mick are some of our mechanic and engineering apprentices and interns, gaining valuable experience working in a trackside environment."
It is the second time Schumacher has been able to get behind the wheel of an F1 car so far this year. After the Spanish Grand Prix, he took Mercedes' W14 car for a spin around the Barcelona track as the team took part in some tyre testing on behalf of supplier Pirelli.
He will also drive an older F1 car at Goodwood later this month – the Mercedes W02 which his dad drove for the team in the 2011 season. All that experience will help him to stay sharp ahead of what he hopes will be a 2024 season in which he is back in racing full-time.
Since being dropped by Haas, Schumacher's goal has been to return to a race seat as swiftly as possible. It remains to be seen which spots might become available between now and the end of this season, but the German will be near the top of most teams' lists if they decide to bring in a new face.
