Could Mick Schumacher secure the remaining Sauber seat for 2025 alongside Nico Hulkenberg?
As speculation about the remaining Sauber Formula 1 seat for 2025 grows, Helmut Marko speaks out about Mick Schumacher’s prospects in the sport. As reported by RacingNews365, Red Bull’s Marko spoke to RTL/ntvВ?andВ?sport.de about the former Haas F1 driver and current Mercedes reserve driver.
Marko believes that Sauber, becoming Audi in 2026, would be a good option for Schumacher. He said:
“I think the Audi car will certainly not be a winning car next year.”
He added:
“That means there would have been no pressure on either Audi or the driver.”
If Schumacher secured the Sauber seat, it would bring a fellow German driver as a teammate. Nico Hulkenberg, who was the driver that inherited Schumacher’s Haas seat after the team parted ways with him at the end of the 2022 season, is set to drive for Sauber in 2025.
Marko believes that considering Hulkenberg’s impressive performance in 2024, he would be a good comparison for Schumacher. He said:
“It would be a good comparison with Nico Hülkenberg, and if his [Schumacher’s] performance isn’t right, you can always make a change for 2026.”
Schumacher’s history under pressure
Marko brings to light the question of pressure felt by Schumacher during his short F1 career. It is no secret that Schumacher suffered multiple crashes with Haas F1 team, costing the small team large amounts of money in repairs. A bill that the team could not afford. He was even given the unwanted title of Destructors’ Champion in both 2021 and 2022.
In his debut 2021 season with Haas, Schumacher finished in P19 of the Constructors’ Standings. He improved his result for 2022, finishing in P16. While not impressive results, it came during a period of no development in the team, which Haas Team Principal at the time, Guenther Steiner admitted in his book Surviving to Drive.
Schumacher enjoyed success at the 2022 British and Austrian Grands Prix. He started from P19 in Silverstone and finished the race in P8, scoring his first points in F1. The following week in Austria, Schumacher achieved his best result in F1, finishing in P6, battling with Max Verstappen on the circuit, and winning the Driver of the Day vote.
Mick Schumacher, you superstar! ⭐️
Incredible overtakes across the field, a double-points finish and our Driver Of The Day in Austria ?
Take a bow, @SchumacherMick ?#AustrianGP #F1 @HaasF1Team pic.twitter.com/7SeXiWJHuy
— Formula 1 (@F1) July 11, 2022
Previously, Schumacher had an impressive motorsport record. The 25-year-old won the Formula 3 Championship in 2018 and the Formula 2 Championship in 2020. While completing his duties as a Mercedes F1 reserve driver, Schumacher currently competes in the FIA World Endurance Championship – Hypercar with Alpine Endurance Team. The team currently sit in P18.
First Hypercar podium for Alpine at #6HFuji! ???#AlpineEnduranceTeam pic.twitter.com/voUcA6ACJ5
— Alpine Endurance Team (@SignatechAlpine) September 15, 2024
Passed over for a 2025 seat already
Despite the German driver’s links with Alpine, Schumacher was passed over for their available 2025 seat after Esteban Ocon announced his move to Haas for next season.
Prior to the 2024 British Grand Prix, Schumacher travelled to the Circuit Paul Ricard in France alongside Alpine reserve driver, Jack Doohan to drive the Alpine A522. The Enstone-based outfit was assessing options for their 2025 seat alongside Pierre Gasly. Unfortunately for Schumacher, Alpine opted to sign Doohan for 2025.
Mick Schumacher’s Alpine shoot-out branded ‘not fair’ after Jack Doohan earns 2025 F1 seat:
– Mick Schumacher and Jack Doohan competed head-to-head in a one-day test at the Paul Ricard circuit in July, driving a 2022 Alpine F1 car. Despite positive feedback from Mercedes team… pic.twitter.com/FBFrictc9L
— This is Formula 1 (@ThisIsFormu1a1) August 28, 2024
Schumacher may be overlooked again if the rumours regarding Valtteri Bottas are true. Bottas currently drives for Sauber. News has been circulated that Bottas will retain his seat with the team. Not known for holding back his opinions about experienced drivers getting opportunities over younger talent, Marko spoke out on the topic. He shared:
“If the situation is really that Valtteri Bottas gets the chance, then the whole thing is even more incomprehensible to me.”
He continued:
“I think if Schumacher doesn’t get this seat, then Formula 1 history is over for him.”
Marko expanded on his honest and, perhaps, blunt assessment of Schumacher’s prospects. He clarified:
“He should then concentrate on the long-distance races, where he was very successful, and do that. If he stays in motorsport, then he has to find something that he enjoys, but where he also has a chance of winning.”
Featured Image Credit:В?@SchumacherMick on X