by 
Mick Schumacher is set to step down as Mercedes reserve driver at the end of this season.
The 25-year-old, son of seven-time Formula 1 champion Michael Schumacher, has been with the team for two years.
Mercedes signed the German when he was dropped after two seasons with American team Haas.
Schumacher had hoped for a return to the F1 grid next season, but was rejected by the Sauber/Audi and Alpine teams.
He raced for Alpine in the World Endurance Championship in 2024.
Schumacher said: “These two years have undoubtedly made me a more experienced racing driver because I have known the engineering side better.
“But watching these cars race and not sitting in the cockpit myself is difficult. I want to concentrate 100% on racing. I want to fully commit to the sporting aspect of motorsport.”
“At the end of the day, it’s the racing you want to do as a driver, it’s the racing that gives you that feeling that you love.”
Mercedes had a seat available in F1 in 2025 following Lewis Hamilton’s decision to move to Ferrari, but preferred to promote his Italian protégé Andrea Kimi Antonelli.
Toto Wolff, Mercedes F1 Team Principal, said: “Mick’s hard work, diligence and determination in his role as reserve driver have been vital to the team over the past two years. From his work in the simulator, to testing various cars and being part of the track team, we couldn’t have asked for more from him.”
