Mick Schumacher’s Formula 1 aspirations may be fading as rumors suggest Sauber’s potential U-turn could leave him on the sidelines once again. After two disappointing seasons with Haas, Schumacher has spent 2023 as Mercedes’ reserve driver and competed in the World Endurance Championship (WEC) with Alpine.
Sauber, set to become Audi’s Formula 1 arm in 2026, initially appeared to be a possible destination for Schumacher. However, reports indicate that the team is likely to extend Valtteri Bottas’ contract, prioritizing experience over youth. Nico Hulkenberg’s resurgence with Haas has also secured him a spot at Sauber-Audi.
Helmut Marko, Red Bull’s director, believes Schumacher’s F1 career could be over if he fails to secure the Audi seat. “If he doesn’t get that Audi seat, I think the Formula One story is really over for Schumacher,” Marko said. “He has to concentrate on the long-distance races in the WEC, where he was already very successful.”
Despite being a former F2 and F3 champion, Schumacher’s underwhelming F1 performances have reportedly led to rejections from four teams, including Mercedes, Alpine, and Ferrari. Alpine’s WEC team remains interested in his services, but Schumacher’s focus remains on Formula 1.
“Formula 1 is the big goal, it always was and it always will be,” Schumacher said. “That’s why everything else has to stand still for now.”
Schumacher’s future in Formula 1 hangs in the balance as the Audi seat decision looms. If he fails to secure a spot, his career may take a different path, with the WEC offering a potential alternative.
