Mick Schumacher could get F1 lifeline after costing old team millions due to crashes
Mick Schumacher's F1 career looked dead in the water at the start of the season, but he may now have a route back onto the grid.
Mick Schumacher could be in line for a return to the F1 grid in 2025 after Alpine confirmed that Esteban Ocon will leave the team at the end of the season. The German racer is one of two leading options to replace the outgoing Frenchman.
Schumacher’s F1 career looked to be over when Haas opted not to renew his contract for the 2023 season and beyond. The former Formula Two champion spent two underwhelming years with the North Carolina-based outfit in which he failed to make his mark, earning more headlines for his crashes than his performances.
In fact, Schumacher’s trips into the barriers cost Haas £1.6 million ($2m) over the course of the 2022 campaign with the most notable shunt coming at the Monaco Grand Prix as his VF-22 was torn in half.
Related articles
With no other team willing to take a punt on Schumacher in 2023, he signed with Mercedes as a test and reserve driver and with no seat materialising in 2024, the 24-year-old made his return to full-time racing with Alpine in the World Endurance Championship.
Schumacher has impressed during his blossoming endurance racing career thus far, but his heart has been set on returning to F1 and with a seat now free at Alpine for the 2025 campaign and beyond, he has the perfect opportunity to execute his comeback. However, the path back to the series isn’t totally clear.
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. Read our Privacy Policy
While Schumacher is a compelling option for team principal Bruno Famin, Alpine are also considering a move for Jack Doohan. The young Australian is part of the team’s young driver programme and has been completing an aggressive private testing program behind the scenes, as well as making occasional FP1 appearances.
Assessing his chances of making his F1 debut in 2025, Doohan told RacingNews365: “I just want to make sure that I can get in the seat next year. I want to be in there with Alpine. I have objectives to do out of the car, in the car, whether that’s in the simulator or on the track, but also here testing.
More F1...
Red Bull theory raised over Sergio Perez's importance to Max Verstappen [OPINION]
Max Verstappen gives Red Bull exit verdict after George Russell’s bold comment [VERDICT]
F1 photographer hurt in Sergio Perez accident speaks out and gives injury update [LATEST]
“Making sure that I’m maximising, ticking all of the boxes. I feel that’s what I’m doing now. With the position that I’m in and what I’ve done, I feel I should be in with a good chance for a seat next year.
“We obviously chose the decision not to race this year, to prepare me more for F1. With the simulator, there’s also on-track testing so it will be a natural transition to continue on this path with Alpine and join as a full-time driver next year.”
