Mick Schumacher is nevertheless keen on returning to Formula 1, even after facing disappointment in his quest for a race seat in 2024. Carrying out the tradition of his world-champion father Michael, the driver had a two-season stint with Haas before the team ended the partnership, thereby putting a halt in his F1 journey. Nevertheless, young Schumacher remains adamant about his pursuit of a permanent seat.
It can be noted that his time in Haas was not the best and towards the last days on the team, the German and the team principal Guenther Steiner got off on the wrong foot. Despite this failure, Schumacher went quickly to become a reserve driver for Mercedes, and since then, he has been diligently striving to get back on the racetrack for the past year.
Mick Schumacher believes he deserves a shot in F1
Options were limited for Schumacher since all drivers were restricted by multi-year contracts. Williams’ proposal to give Logan Sargeant an additional year on his contract crushed all remaining ambitions of earning a spot for the 2024 campaign. Looking ahead, he is expecting a more dynamic driver market in the coming year, with a number of them being set to be out of contract.
🚨 | Mick Schumacher on a potential F1 return:
“I will be keeping very close ties to Formula 1.
“Hopefully, that will allow me to prove… I still deserve a chance.”
Were Haas correct to replace him? pic.twitter.com/A8NbLHF87n
— formularacers (@formularacers_) December 14, 2023
In a recent interview, the reserve driver at Silver Arrows stated, “I know I have to convince other people that I deserve a seat in Formula 1. Unfortunately, a lot of the contracts are multi-year deals so there is not really an opening for next year. So, it’s a bit of a tough spot to be in, but for 2025 there is a lot more openings and we will have to see.”
In the upcoming season, Schumacher will still be Mercedes’ backup driver, but he has greater ambitions. After a successful test, he will be fully engaged in full-time racing duties in the World Endurance Championship, representing Alpine, meanwhile juggling his reserve duties.
Former F1 chief believes Schumacher should be in Red Bull
Bernie Ecclestone, the former Formula 1 executive, has voiced some contrasting statements recently. The 93-year-old believes that it is not the German or his skills that pose an issue in acquiring a seat. Although it took him a while to grow used to new vehicles and championships, he was exceptionally quick once he settled into a rhythm.
📰: Bernie Ecclestone suggests Mick Schumacher would have been better understood and supported at Red Bull, speculating that the coaching and assistance he might have received there could have led to a different outcome for the talented German driver. Ecclestone believes that… pic.twitter.com/q7SwE7r73D
— F1 Naija (@f1_naija) December 19, 2023
According to the Briton, “He would have been better understood at Red Bull, for example, where he would have been helped and coached to the top. He has to fight, he has to persevere and show that he is still capable of good performances. At best, people will then see him and say: we need him.”
Schumacher may still be competing if he had driven for Red Bull Racing, claims Ecclestone. After Schumacher left Haas F1 in 2022, Franz Tost made an effort to get him to join AlphaTauri. But Nyck de Vries, who had a short tenure of less than half a season, was Helmut Marko’s choice.