Schumacher, the son of seven-time world champion Michael, has been left without a drive for next season after Haas decided to instead sign 168澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果历史:Nico Hulkenberg to complete the F1 2023 grid. 

Despite finding himself under pressure amid a difficult season alongside teammate 168澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果历史:Kevin Magnussen, Schumacher said he is confident about his chances of m﷽aking a comeback to F1 sooner rather than later. 

Are Mercedes a ‘Plan B’ option for Schumacher in F1 2023? 

“I was surprised,” Schumacher said in Abu Dhabi. “It didn’t feel like the last race of the season and it didn’t feel like my last race. My mind is💃 pretty much settled on coming back in 2024 if not earlier in ’23.

“I wouldn’t say I feel like [I am in a] position [for a full-time seat] but I do feel confiಞdent that I’ll be able to get something. I feel I’ve shown my pace and I know a lot of people are happy with how I’ve developed.”

Schumacher ‘humbled’ by Mercedes interest 

Schumacher has already found himself linked with a reserve driver role at Mercedes, who are seeking a replacement after losing Formula E champions 168澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果历史:Nyck de Vries and Stoffel Vandoorne to Al🤪phaTauri❀ and Aston Martin respectively. 

Over the Abu Dhabi weekend, Mercedes boss Toto Wolff 168澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果历史:reiterated his interest in signing Schumacher, whose father, Michael, started his career racing sportscars for Mercedes and returned to F1 with the German 🦂manufacturer in 2010. 

“Mick is someone that has always been close toꦐ our heart because of Michael or the whole Schumacher family,” said Wolff.

“Ralf was in a DTM for a long time for us, his son races Mercedes in GTs꧙, and [Mick is] an intelligent, well-mannered y𝔍oung man. He’s been very successful in junior formulas.

“We believe that we can look after him if the situation were to happen and with someone that jꦉust fits the team, but we haven't really put pen to p🍸aper. We haven't really come anywhere close to any terms.

“I'm seeing it that openly becaജuse I think he just fits and now we need to make it happen, if he wants to, Sabine [Kehm, Schumacher’s manager] wants to and then we see where that goes to.”

Schumacher admitted he found Mercedes’ praise ꦆ“humbling”, saying: "Mercedes is an awesome brand and what they've achieved in Formula 1 is incredible. 

“F🌳or sure I am looking at my options, and Mercedes is a parꦅt of it.”

The 23-year-❀old German added: “My dad did the switch from Ferrari to Mercedes at 🔜the time. I don't see a right reason why not [the same] right now. 

“Again, as I said🔯 earlier this w꧑eek, I have time now so I will consider all the options that I have to then hopefully make the right decision for me.

“But it's definitely very humbling to hear what ♈Mercedes and especially Toto says about𝐆 me.”