Mick Schumacher shuts down surprise move in frank assessment as F1 hopes wane
Mick Schumacher has shut down the possibility of moving to Formula E as he searches for an alternative to his dwindling hopes of reviving a career in F1. The German driver has been working as a test and reserve for Mercedes in 2023 but is searching for a full-time return to the grid.
Schumacher came into the world of F1 with plenty of intrigue and hype. Aided – and in some ways hindered – by the prestige of his surname, the 24-year-old joined up with Haas in 2021 after clinching the Formula 2 title following a tense battle with Callum Ilott and Robert Shwartzman.
However, things didn’t go as hoped for Schumacher at the top table. Haas’ dead-on-arrival 2021 challenger didn’t help as he and fellow rookie Nikita Mazepin struggled at the back of the field, and 2022’s effort was only a marginal improvement.
A string of costly crashes sealed Schumacher’s fate at Haas with team principal Guenther Steiner opting not to renew his deal for 2023, instead bringing back F1 stalwart Nico Hulkenberg to prioritise consistency over potential. With no open seats, Schumacher now resides with Mercedes as a test and reserve driver.
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While Schumacher has been assured a long-term future behind the scenes at Mercedes by team principal Toto Wolff, it is imperative that the 24-year-old makes a return to full-time racing in a different series next season if he is to remain at the forefront of conversations regarding potential candidates for open seats in 2025.
Formula E has been touted as one such opportunity. However, speaking to Italian news outlet TuttoMotori about the possibility, Schumacher replied: “Would I value an experience in Formula E? I’ll be very honest with you and tell you no. I like engines, I like petrol so definitely not that.
“Who knows what awaits us in the future? Who knows, maybe by driving it I could even change my expectations. I like old-school cars, V8, smell, and everything else. That’s what interests me.”
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Schumacher instead looks destined for a stint in the World Endurance Championship with Alpine, who have switched their attention to the Hypercar class for 2024 having competed in LMP2 in 2023. The German driver has already worked through a private test programme with the team ahead of the potential move.
If he does make the switch to WEC next season, he’ll join a host of other former F1 drivers on the grid. The likes of Sebastian Buemi, Brendon Hartley and Antonio Giovinazzi have all enjoyed success in the series this season.
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