Mick Schumacher is hoping for Audi. The future Formula 1 works team still has one free cockpit for 2025. But the competition is strong.
14.10.2024, 09:25
14.10.2024, 09:26
dpa
Mick Schumacher can still hope for a Formula 1 return. "We are considering him as a potential driver. He is on our list," Mattia Binotto, head of Audi's Formula 1 project, told the Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung. He praised the German: "I know Mick's potential, his strengths and weaknesses. He is a very consistent and generally fast driver, a team player who works hard."
Audi will start as the new works team in the premier class of motorsport in 2026; the racing team currently known as Kick Sauber has the only cockpit still available for the coming season. The 25-year-old Schumacher is hoping to get this seat, but has strong competition from Finnish veteran Valtteri Bottas, among others.
Binotto: Judging drivers on more than just speed
Even the Italian Binotto does not seem entirely convinced by the son of record world champion Michael Schumacher. "On some tracks, he needs a few more attempts to drive the fastest lap," said the 54-year-old. But: Schumacher is "a great guy", which is important: "You don't just have to judge drivers by how fast they are, but also by their attitude." A decision on who will fill the second seat alongside German Nico Hülkenberg should be made before November.
Binotto knows Schumacher very well from their time together at Ferrari. He was once team principal at the Scuderia, and Schumacher drove in the Italian team's junior program at the time. Schumacher was a regular driver for the US team Haas in 2021 and 2022, but was unable to recommend himself for a new contract. He is currently a reserve driver for Mercedes and also races for French manufacturer Alpine in the World Endurance Championship. His ultimate goal remains a return to Formula 1.
