Mick Schumacher’s chances of returning to a full-time Formula 1 (F1) seat are rapidly diminishing. His uncle, Ralf Schumacher, a former F1 driver, stated that it is “rather unrealistic” for Mick to secure a spot on the 2025 grid unless he remains in a reserve role. Even that is uncertain, as Mercedes, where Mick has been a reserve driver since 2023, may choose to bring back Valtteri Bottas if talks with Sauber fall through. Mick had hoped for a return after his departure from Haas at the end of 2022, but as teams finalize their driver lineups, his options are quickly running out.
Although several teams expressed interest in Mick, they have since signed other drivers, leaving him with few opportunities. Jack Doohan joined Alpine, Kimi Antonelli was promoted at Mercedes, and now Gabriel Bortoleto has secured a seat at Sauber. Mick’s chances of filling one of these spots have faded, and even his role as Mercedes’ reserve driver is not guaranteed. The team recently hinted that Bottas might return, further complicating Mick’s future. Ralf Schumacher acknowledged that Mick’s best chance might be if a driver drops out unexpectedly due to illness, but overall, F1 seems increasingly out of reach.
The latest blow to Mick’s hopes came with the announcement that Sauber had chosen Gabriel Bortoleto over him. Mick learned that he had missed out on the Alpine seat through a social media post, which was another blow to his aspirations. However, Ralf pointed out that Mick has shown resilience in the face of such setbacks and is likely to move on. Given the few available spots in F1, Ralf suggested that Mick may need to shift his focus to a career in endurance racing, where he has already gained experience with Alpine in the World Endurance Championship (WEC).
Sauber’s decision to sign Bortoleto was based on the Brazilian’s impressive performances in junior categories, with Ralf likening him to Max Verstappen for his assertive driving style. Ralf also praised Bortoleto’s potential, noting that he is on a similar path to other young talents like Oscar Piastri. Sauber has been facing internal challenges, including financial difficulties and a reported sale of part of the team to Qatari investors. These factors may have influenced the decision to bring in Bortoleto as part of the team’s long-term strategy.
Audi F1 head Mattia Binotto also weighed in on the decision to sign Bortoleto instead of Mick, explaining that while Mick was considered a strong candidate, Sauber ultimately went with the Brazilian driver after assessing all the options. Binotto emphasized that such decisions are common in F1, where teams must choose between many talented drivers. He also pointed out that Mercedes, like Sauber, had to make similar tough calls, referencing the decision to promote Kimi Antonelli over Mick. In the end, these decisions reflect the highly competitive nature of F1 and the difficult choices teams face when finalizing their rosters.