Wolff says Schumacher 'deserves' potential Williams chance

Mercedes Team Principal Toto Wolff has stated he hopes Mick Schumacher can get a chance at Williams this season, following reports the Grove outfit could be looking for a short-term replacement for Logan Sargeant.

The American driver had a challenging Dutch Grand Prix weekend as, during the wet FP3 session on Saturday, he dropped two wheels onto the grass and span violently into the barriers. Thankfully he was unharmed in the crash but the damage, and subsequent fire to the car, meant his side of the Williams garage would go on to miss qualifying – the damage too severe to repair in time.

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With the racer going on to finish Sunday's race in P16 – the 23-year-old’s first race after it was confirmed that Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz is set to take his seat from next season – reports soon followed that Williams could be looking for another driver this campaign, with Schumacher touted as a possibility.

The son of seven-time F1 world champion Michael Schumacher hasn’t had a full-time race seat on the grid since he left Haas at the end of 2022, when he simultaneously ended his collaboration with Ferrari. Since then, he has been taken into the Mercedes family as the team's reserve driver while he has also competed for Alpine in the World Endurance Championship.

ZANDVOORT, NETHERLANDS - AUGUST 24: Logan Sargeant of United States and Williams climbs out of his car after crashing during final practice ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of Netherlands. (Photo by Mario Renzi - Formula 1/Formula 1 via Getty Images) — It was a weekend to forget for out-going Williams driver Logan Sargeant

Speaking following Sunday’s Dutch Grand Prix, after being asked whether Schumacher could be a possibility at Williams, Wolff said: “I would very much hope that Mick gets the chance, because we haven’t seen the real Mick. You’re not winning F4, F3 and F2 and then you’re not performing in F1… I think he deserves a chance.

“If the opportunity would be at Williams it’s something that we would be cheering for. But it’s [Team Principal] James Vowles’s decision.”

Wolff has also helped to mentor another young prospect in protégé Kimi Antonelli, who is set to take to the track for Mercedes in FP1 at Monza, as he continues to look like the favourite for the team’s remaining 2025 seat alongside George Russell.

The teenager, who turned 18 on Sunday, has also been brought into the conversation surrounding drivers who could be considered should Williams decide to make a line-up change.

SPIELBERG, AUSTRIA - JUNE 27: James Vowles, Team Principal of Williams talks with Andrea Kimi Antonelli of Italy and Mercedes in the Paddock during previews ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of Austria at Red Bull Ring. (Photo by Clive Rose/Getty Images) — Mercedes and Williams have continued to develop their strong relationship

However, Wolff definitively ruled out the possibility of Antonelli spending a brief stint at Williams, telling Sky Sports F1: “That’s not going to happen.”

In a media session on Sunday in Zandvoort, he also added that he and Williams boss Vowles have “transparent discussions and relationship”.

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“James was part of developing Kimi and finding Kimi,” he explained. “I think what’s best for him is to continue the programme as we have decided, with the TPC [Testing of Previous Car] testing and F2, and see how that goes, rather than disrupting our plan and giving him the opportunity in a Williams. That’s the decision we have taken.”