Mick Schumacher had a torrid time at Haas and while that may have ended on a sour note, it has paved the way for a redemption at Mercedes.
At least that is the way it has been dubbed by Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff, who believes that featuring as the reserve driver of the Silver Arrows offers Mick a great opportunity to find an F1 seat soon enough.
However, Mick’s uncle Ralf Schumacher, who was a Formula 1 driver himself, believes that Mercedes has also got a great bargain deal itself.
Ralf believes that Mercedes could not have asked for a better talent to participate as its third driver.
“I think this is a great opportunity because now he has an experienced team around him,” Ralf said.
“I think it’s a win-win situation for Mick and Mercedes.
“On the one hand, the team has a driver who can fill in if one of the regular drivers is no longer able to race. On the other hand, Mick is now in a team where he can learn a lot.”
Meanwhile, it is no secret that Wolff takes every opportunity to praise Mick Schumacher.
It is probably largely down to their good relationship (and the sponsors Mick can bring in owing to his name) that has made this a perfect match for both parties.
Mick already enjoys sponsorships from these great brands and big teams know that the weight of his name will always make him a marketable driver.
Mick is no slouch behind the wheels either and this can be attested by the fact that he has won the F2 championship.
This is not lost on Wolff, who spoke about his newest recruit’s credentials.
“He won [the Formula 2 title] and that is not easy,” Wolff said.
“Things can go against you in your first years in Formula 1.
“He was under pressure to deliver and that doesn’t help, and Formula 1 is brutal
“Maybe, in a way, having a year off as a third driver – similar to what Daniel – can be good to reassess yourself and bring yourself in a better place and hopefully find a seat again.”
The Mercedes move has also been viewed by some as a throwback to the path Michael Schumacher took during his career.
Fans will hope that if nothing else, Mick Schumacher learns from the experience and comes back stronger when a full-time seat presents itself.
Read more: “People won’t understand it”: Lewis Hamilton is ‘pretty much living with’ Angela Cullen