Wolff identifies 'tremendous advantage' Schumacher offers Mercedes

Toto Wolff has identified the "tremendous advantage" for Mercedes of having Mick Schumacher in the team as a reserve Formula 1 driver.

After being left without a seat on the grid for 2023 following Haas' decision to replace him with Nico Hulkenberg, Schumacher joined the Silver Arrows and has been a visible presence in the garage at each Grand Prix weekend.

The German has also been working in the simulator for the squad, with his contribution recently drawing praise from Lewis Hamilton after the team's double podium at the Spanish Grand Prix.

Wolff is similarly pleased with Schumacher's work at the outfit's base in Brackley, and remains confident in his abilities should he be called upon to stand in for Hamilton or George Russell.

Wolff praises 'mature and successful' Schumacher

"First of all, it's great to have a mature, successful and experienced Formula 1 driver supporting us," Wolff told media, including RacingNews365.com.

"In the simulator with his feedback, that is of tremendous advantage. At some of the European Grands Prix, having him on the sim overnight [on the Friday] and providing data for the Saturday is a super advantage for us.

"On the other side, if George were to have a fish poisoning – Lewis can't have a fish poisoning [being vegan], it would be an avocado poisoning – then we know we have a super guy that will drive the car well.

"[But] as much as I like the situation for the benefit of the team, I would every day of the week prefer that Mick sits in a cockpit and actually races."