Mick Schumacher will not find out this weekend either whether he will be in the Haas cockpit next season. The decision has been postponed again, so the hopes of the 23-year-old should continue to dwindle. But maybe another, interesting door will open.
The American Formula 1 racing team Haas continues its strange time game with Mick Schumacher. Also this weekend, at the Brazilian Grand Prix, there should be no decision as to whether the 23-year-old can keep his regular cockpit and start the 2023 season alongside his Danish colleague Kevin Magnussen. According to RTL/ntv information, however, there are increasing signs that Schumacher's time at Haas will end. "Retiree" Nico Hülkenberg has been considered a possible successor for weeks.
However, the impending end at Haas does not have to mean the end of Schumacher's time in the motorsport premier class. As the magazine "auto, motor und sport" reports, an exciting option could open up for the German next year, he could hire as a replacement driver at Mercedes. RTL/ntv Formula 1 expert Felix Görner can confirm the information. However, Schumacher is initially dependent on the decision of a colleague. The most important question for the 23-year-old is: What is Daniel Ricciardo doing?
The Australian also loses his regular cockpit at McLaren. He also doesn't want to bury his dreams of the premier class and with his experience is an interesting man as a test driver for the top teams. In addition to Mercedes, he should also be under discussion at Red Bull - and prefer the homecoming variant with the best prospects. Because with the current dominator of Formula 1, it is unclear how long the Mexican Sergio Perez will be at the wheel. He might get out at the end of 2023, for Ricciardo it would then be possible to return as a regular driver. He was already under contract with the Bulls from 2012 to 2018, first for two years in the Toro Rosso and then from 2014 in the "big" Red Bull car. He was third at the World Championships twice. So good memories.
If that happens and the Australian turns to Austria, Schumacher's path to the Silver Arrows would be clear, especially since the German is not on the radar of the Red Bull racing team at all, not even as a mind game, as team advisor Dr. Helmut Marko recently revealed in the RTL / ntv interview. "Due to his father Michael's past with the Mercedes team, Mick has a good relationship with Toto Wolff (editor's note: Mercedes team boss). Both know each other and know what they have in each other," says Görner. A move to the Silver Arrows would also mean the end of relations with Ferrari. Schumacher had cleared his way to the premier class and to Haas via the Scuderia Academy.
"For Mick, however, that would only be plan B and thus also half a career step backwards, you have to say it so clearly," judges Görner. "Although he would also be there occasionally on the weekends, he would spend most of his time in the simulator at the Mercedes plant in Brackley, England, testing various setups." This variant would have an advantage for Schumacher over the recommendation of Formula 1 legend Bernie Ecclestone to possibly look around in other series: "As a test driver, he remains familiar with the technology and all the innovations." But what could happen next in 2024? Not clear. "There are too many variables to venture a forecast," says Görner. "Before everything will be reshuffled."
According to the “auto, motor und sport” report, in addition to Mercedes, Alpine is also dealing with Schumacher. The French racing team is also still looking for a replacement driver who could step in if one of the two regular drivers drops out. Although Alpine already has a reserve driver in Jack Doohan, the 19-year-old should initially concentrate fully on the upcoming Formula 2 season. But before Schumacher actually looks for a new team, he will do everything in his power to keep his place at Haas. Team boss Günther Steiner still put the chances of that at "50:50" in an RTL/ntv interview just a few days ago. The South Tyrolean has already announced a decision. "We'll announce what we're doing, hopefully next week," said the team boss.
