Driver carousel rotates
Here are Mick Schumacher’s F1 chances
By Martin Armbruster
7/15/2023 8:31 am
With Nyck de Vries’ expulsion and Daniel Ricciardo’s comeback, Red Bull and AlphaTauri set the Formula 1 driver’s carousel in motion. The “Silly Season” starts again, some contracts are expiring, a few drivers are wobbling. What chance does Mick Schumacher have of returning as a regular F1 driver in 2024? Mick Schumacher has been a reserve driver at Mercedes since the beginning of the year. Lucky for the 24-year-old, said Damon Hill, once a great rival of Mick’s father Michael, of “Sport Bild”. Silver boss Toto Wolff “caught him after his knockout at Haas and put his arm around him”. And: Wolff never tires of praising the work of his number 3 in the simulator. Because of his Mercedes role, it makes sense to first look at the Silver Arrows and the Mercedes customer teams to examine Schumacher’s potential options for 2024.
Formula 1: Will Mick Schumacher join a Mercedes team?
- Mercedes: No chance! At the former industry leader, Schumi jr. not drive next year – Wolff can praise his substitute as he wants. Crown Prince George Russell has signed a “long-term” contract with Mercedes. There would also be no reason to dismiss the young Brit, Russell’s performance in the stable duel with record world champion Lewis Hamilton is too strong. And Hamilton? He should soon sign a new contract, also shows in a lame silver arrow why he has seven world titles under his belt.
- McLaren: Also no chance! After Schumacher’s test drive in the MCL35M from 2021, McLaren boss Zak Brown emphasized the “great job” that the German had done. For Schumacher, there is still nothing more than the role of substitute in the traditional team. With Lando Norris (contract until 2025) and Oscar Piastri (2024), McLaren has a very hot driver duo, perhaps the strongest in the medium term.
- Aston Martin: Nothing to get again! Old master Fernando Alonso sets an incredible pace. That the 42-year-old will lose interest and end his career is as likely as the Spaniard losing in the Aston Martin duel with Lance Stroll. He, in turn, is the personified mediocrity, but still has his cockpit safe for life. After all, Papa Lawrence owns the racing team.
- Williams: Small chance, but unlikely! Alex Albon is untouchable at Williams – and tied to the team until 2025, as Red Bull adviser Helmut Marko recently “sighed”. Rookie Logan Sargeant was on the upswing thanks to the recently improved car, but often failed to impress in the first ten races. Schumacher could open a door here, but this is not likely. According to the British media, Sargeant still enjoys “puppy protection” in his first year, the racing team wants to give the home-grown Williams Academy time. And: The Formula 1 bosses like that an American is in the grid, the racing series is known to be booming in the USA.
Formula 1 chance at Sauber through Audi entry?
In the Mercedes cosmos, the main cockpits are occupied, as are the French Renault factory teams Alpine and Ferrari. A Schumacher return to Haas should be impossible as long as Günther Steiner leads the US team. All that remains for Schumacher is to look at Sauber and the PS pasture of Red Bull/AlphaTauri.
The Swiss racing team was the brand ambassador for “Alfa Romeo” last season. In the background, Managing Director Andreas Seidl works on behalf of Audi to reorganize the team. The brand with the four rings has already bought into Sauber and will take over the entire racing team from 2026 in order to start as an Audi works team. A German driver would suit the project well and would also please the Audi bosses. But they have repeatedly made it clear that a black, red and gold cockpit is not the top priority for the group, which thinks globally anyway.
In the paddock, it is considered unlikely that Schumacher will be hired by Sauber for the coming season. Valtteri Bottas has a “multi-year contract” in his pocket. The team from Hinwil is not enthusiastic about Bottas’ performance this year – the veteran should still be set. Zhou Guanyu wobbles more. Even in his second season, the young Chinese is not yet fully up to speed. Zhou’s advantage: He brings Chinese sponsorship money with him and is also the face of F1 in the Middle Kingdom, where the world’s largest car market is emerging.
There is no room in the “bull” pasture
And how is the situation in the “Bullen” stable? One thing is clear: Schumacher will not drive in the Red Bull next to Max Verstappen in 2024. Sergio Perez and Daniel Ricciardo are likely to share the coveted seat if the Australian finds his form from previous years in the AlphaTauri.
Schumacher could only theoretically find a place at AlphaTauri, provided Ricciardo actually makes the leap back to the senior team. But only theoretically. With Franz Tost, probably the only Mick advocate at the end of the season as team boss. Red Bull eminence Helmut Marko is not exactly a Schumacher fan, consciously emphasizing that his compatriot Toto Wolff is responsible for the German’s career. The way to Formula 1 – it still seems blocked for Mick Schumacher. However, the “Silly Season” has already disproved many an appearance.