Bernie Ecclestone reveals KEY difference Michael Schumacher's 'day-to-day' presence would have made for Mick

Michael Schumacher

Key difference Michael Schumacher's presence would have made for Mick

Mick Schumacher is still in F1 but no longer on the main grid as Mercedes' reserve driver for 2023

Stuart Hodge

Wednesday 22 February 2023 14:16 Updated: 15:54

Mick Schumacher would still be on the Formula 1 grid if his famous father Michael were healthy.

That's according to former F1 chairman Bernie Ecclestone. The younger Schumacher, 23, was dropped by Haas at the end of last year and accepted the role of reserve driver at Mercedes for 2023.

The German hopes early talks with other teams will lead to his return to the grid for 2024 but Ecclestone bemoans the absence of Mick's father, seven-time world champion Michael.

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Now aged 54, Michael Schumacher retired from Formula 1 for the second and final time in 2012. Just over a year later, he suffered a serious ski accident with Mick, in the French Alps.

Mick Schumacher pictured with his dad's 2002 title-winning car

He has not been seen or heard from publicly since then, and the family has kept details about his exact condition a closely-guarded secret after he suffered severe brain damage during the accident.

According to Ecclestone, 92, Michael's absence from the day-to-day involvement in his son's Formula 1 career will have had a big impact.

"With Michael at his side as a consultant, Mick would be a regular driver in the cockpit of a good team," he told German publication Sport Bild.

Bernie Ecclestone with Michael Schumacher

"With all his experience, Michael could have helped his son tremendously and given lots of tips. He would have shown him the right way to go about things in terms of driving, but also politically."