F1 champion backs Schumacher for full-time F1 return

Mario Andretti has backed Mick Schumacher to return to a full-time F1 seat after his reserve driver role at Mercedes.

Following a difficult year, Schumacher was dropped by Haas at the end of 2022 in favour of veteran Nico Hulkenberg.

The 23-year-old's bid to continue into 2023 was hampered by excessive crash damage and the standout performances from F1 returnee Kevin Magnussen.

With no race seat available for 2023, Schumacher was offered a reserve driver role at Mercedes, which could in theory lead to a race call-up should a driver from a Mercedes-powered team become unavailable to race in 2023.

Schumacher's aim is to gain experience from the team that has claimed eight of the last nine Constructors' Championships, before setting sights on a return for 2024.

Andretti: Schumacher has improved 'enormously'

Schumacher has been backed by various corners of the F1 world, and 1978 World Champion Mario Andretti has backed the young German to make a return to full-time F1 racing.

"I'm sure someone will take him," said Andretti in an interview with RTL/ntv and sport.de.

"Such talents don't disappear.

"I think Mick has improved enormously, especially in the past season. No question about it. And that was evident in his performance."

Andretti also acknowledged the weight of expectation surrounding his surname, but added that the "Schumacher name was an asset in every way".

"I think he wore it with a lot of pride, no doubt about it," Andretti concluded.