Lewis Hamilton piles praise on Mick Schumacher for his huge role in Mercedes’ first double podium of 2023 at Spanish GP

LEWIS HAMILTON reserved special praise for Mick Schumacher after Mercedes secured their first double podium of the season.

Following upgrades brought in prior to the Monaco Grand Prix, Hamilton and team-mate George Russell were able to show off what their newly-improved car can do in Barcelona yesterday.

Lewis Hamilton and George Russell both secured a place on the podium in BarcelonaRex

Mick Schumacher has drawn praise for his contributions as reserve driverRex

Hamilton, 38, rolled back the years to secure second place, while Russell finished third.

After standing on the podium with Russell and Red Bull’s Max Verstappen, Hamilton made sure to give Mercedes reserve driver Schumacher a mention.

Sir Lewis said of the German: “He did a very good job in the simulator.

“That played a part in the fact that we were able to perform like this today.”

Prior to arriving in Barcelona on Saturday, Schumacher was back at base in Brackley working in the simulator.

According to Bild, Mercedes have been very pleased with the 24-year-old’s contributions as reserve driver this season.

Schumacher, son of F1 icon Michael, was let go by Haas after two seasons at the end of last year but is hoping to return to the grid in 2024.

He endured a difficult start to life In Formula 1, with Haas possessing an uncompetitive car in his first season – before a series of unfortunate incidents in his second.

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Haas elected to replace him with veteran Nico Hulkenberg this term, with team principal Guenther Steiner complaining at the cost of damages caused by Schumacher’s crashes.

The Italian revealed in his book that Schumacher’s various smashes had cost the team £1.7million, before adding: “We lose a car after five minutes and now have to build another.

“I cannot have a driver who I am not confident can take a car around safely on a slow lap. It’s just f***ing ridiculous.”

Bristling at one particular crash that cost £550k to repair, he added: “How many people could we employ with $700,000 (£550,000)?

“And I have to now find that money.”

AFPThere’s no love lost between Schumacher and Guenther Steiner[/caption]