Schumacher eyeing Hamilton's Mercedes F1 seat after replying his request on..

The Mercedes reserve and development driver will take to the WEC grid this season with Alpine’s Hypercar programme.

Mick Schumacher has insisted he is “keeping an eye” on F1 with a seat vacant at his Mercedes team.

The German has performed reserve and development duties for the Silver Arrows since being dropped by Haas at the end of 2022 but with Lewis Hamilton moving to Ferrari from next season, a pathway back to the grid has potentially opened up.

Having not raced last year alongside his Mercedes commitments, Schumacher has found a place on the World Endurance Championship grid as part of Alpine’s Hypercar project – the French manufacturer’s efforts taking equal priority with his F1 reserve driver role.

Yet the draw of a return to a full-time F1 seat means such an opportunity is not off the table.

Let’s see where it takes me’
“I’m of course aware that Lewis’ Mercedes seat will then be free,” Schumacher told Sky Germany during Bahrain pre-season testing.

“I’m still keeping an eye on Formula 1 and hopefully, the dream will come true again. But in the end it’s important that I also do my things and see my role as a reserve driver – and especially my role as a WEC driver in the foreground. If I perform well, let’s see where it takes me.

“I’m sure that Mercedes knows what I can do. You’ve also seen it in the simulation sessions, in the junior categories and at Haas. Hopefully, it’ll be enough to have more people in the WEC and Formula 1 to impress.”