Mick Schumacher has developed over the season in the World Endurance Championship, and the Alpine driver has been critical to the teams’ improvement.
The German driver performed admirably last time out at the 6 Hours of Fuji in Japan, as the No. 36 car scored the first podium of the season for Alpine.
Schumacher’s career in the WEC suffered a difficult start after the first three rounds of the championship failed to yield any points.
This bad start was compounded by a retirement next time out at the 24 Hours of Le Mans, an event which saw both Alpine’s retire from the race.
Schumacher moved to the World Endurance Championship after a forgettable two-year stint in Formula 1, and the German still hopes to return to the highest level.
Alpine have improved, and keeping Schumacher would help the team move further towards the front of the field.
Signatech team boss Philippe Sinault told Motorsport.com that Alpine are explaining to the 25-year-old that it’s critical they stay together, but nothing is confirmed.
Alpine are explaining to Mick Schumacher that ‘it is very important for us that he stays with us’ in WEC
Alpine have had a mixed season with their new A424 car in the Hypercar class in the World Endurance Championship with Schumacher.
He has steadily improved as Alpine have got over their early unreliability issues and are starting to build momentum. Schumacher battled with Norman Nato at Fuji in a duel that was a step in the right direction, on the way to third place.
The German driver would like to return to Formula 1, but that is unlikely for 2025, with few seats available and other contenders such as Franco Colapinto impressing for Williams.
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Sinault is hoping to keep Schumacher at Alpine but is aware that Formula 1 is one of the championship’s where Schumacher would like to race.
He said: “We are putting pressure on him and telling him that it is very important for us that he stays with us. I have nothing in my hands. Formula 1 is still Formula 1, we will have to wait and see. I hope we will find out more about it soon.
“I think we’ve done a good job together. I’m very happy with his level of performance, his pace and his effort, and I think he’s also very happy with his job. If he doesn’t go to Formula 1, we’ll certainly continue to work with him.”
Alpine have a lot of work to do to challenge at the front in WEC
Alpine have developed this season but did have a slice of luck at Fuji, as cars from Ferrari, Porsche and Toyota all failed to finish.
They inherited the podium finish and are yet to compete at the front of the field on pure pace this season in the WEC.
Alpine have made a step in the right direction by improving the car’s reliability, but the French manufacturer don’t have the speed to win races.
The calendar is the same heading into the 2025 season which will allow the team to build on their data from this year without the complication of learning a new circuit.