The future of Mick Schumacher has been uncertain throughout the 2024 season as the German has had his sights set on a return to Formula 1.
The 25-year-old’s career in the pinnacle of motorsport went out on a whimper in 2022 after a torrid two seasons with Haas. The German scored just 12 points in that time, all of which coming in that second season.
Schumacher was let go by the team in favour of fellow countryman Nico Hulkenberg. Since then, he has acted as a reserve driver for Mercedes, but the Silver Arrows have not taken him into consideration for a future seat.
The son of seven-time world champion Michael Schumacher has been searching the paddock for a chance to revive his F1 career. The German had been heavily linked with the Sauber seat, but he ultimately missed out on that seat as well, with the team signing Gabriel Bortoleto.
Schumacher has branched out to sports car racing this season with Alpine in the World Endurance Championship, and even they rejected him in F1 with the French outfit opting to promote Jack Doohan to the race seat.
Mick Schumacher did not sign a new contract with Alpine ‘for three months’ due to his bid to return to Formula 1
The 25-year-old competed in the Hypercar class in Alpine’s A424 machine. Schumacher piloted the No. 36 car alongside Matthieu Vaxiviere and Nicolas Lapierre who retired from racing before the final race of the season in Bahrain.
After a difficult start to the season, the German found his stride in the WEC in the second half of the year and finished 22nd in the standings with 21 points, helping Alpine to finish fourth in the Manufacturers’ Championship.
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It has been known that Alpine are impressed with Schumacher and have been keen to keep him on board, but according to a report from AMuS, the 25-year-old has been leaving the French outfit in the dark as he explores other options.
The report claims that Schumacher has had a contract from Alpine ‘for three months’ to continue for 2025. But as he has been so focused on a return to F1, ‘he did not sign’ the deal until he knew that his chances reaching the pinnacle of motorsport again were non-existent.
What is next for Mick Schumacher?
The report alludes to the idea that Schumacher has now signed that contract from Alpine and will be remaining in the WEC for next season, which if true, is great news for the French team.
The German showed signs of progression towards the end of the 2024 campaign, evidenced by four points finishes in the final four races after retiring from the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Among those points finishes was his maiden podium in the WEC, as he finished third at Fuji alongside Vaxiviere and Lapierre.
If Schumacher has in fact signed a new deal with Alpine, it could be viewed that the 25-year-old has now given up on F1 after been snubbed for multiple seats. But there could be an opening with the Enstone-based team in 2026, if they choose to cut ties with Doohan after just one seasons.
IndyCar would also be an option for Schumacher to consider, with there being a few seats available for the 2025 season. But with teams having several options they are assessing, the German will have to act fast to secure a deal.