Mick Schumacher is finally allowed to race again – but not in Formula 1. The 24-year-old has the courage to take on a tricky dual role as Alpine’s regular driver in the World Endurance Championship and as a test driver for his longed-for return to competition on the racetrack next year Mercedes too. “A new chapter is beginning for me,” said Schumacher when announcing his commitment to the French manufacturer, which will also take him to the legendary 24-hour classic at Le Mans.
“I missed racing sorely this year. It’s what I’ve loved since I was a child. And it was sometimes hard to watch other drivers when they took to the track,” confessed the son of Formula 1 -Record world champion Michael Schumacher.
Glock: “It will help him going forward”
In the premier class of motorsport there was no chance for Mick Schumacher to be a regular driver in the coming season. After all, in addition to his long-distance missions, he can also remain at Mercedes as a Formula 1 reservist and could take part in Grand Prix races there if Lewis Hamilton or George Russell fails. The German factory team confirmed this before the Formula 1 season finale in Abu Dhabi this weekend.
The former Formula 2 and Formula 3 champion is facing an extremely travel-intensive and stressful year. A record 24 Grand Prix are planned in Formula 1, and there are eight rounds in the World Endurance Championship (WEC).
For Schumacher, switching to another racing series is almost a logical consequence; it is the only way to continue gaining racing experience. After being retired from the American Haas team at the end of 2022 after two difficult years, he had not found a regular cockpit for this season.
“I think he learned a lot in a top team and that certainly helped him in his development,” said former driver Timo Glock to the German Press Agency about Mick Schumacher. “It will help him going forward.”
Mick Schumacher emphasized in a dpa interview in August that he now knew exactly where he had to start to further develop the car. “On the other hand, you miss every year in which you don’t drive. Does one outweigh the other? I don’t know. “
Does the path lead via Alpine back to Formula 1?
The switch to long-distance cars with a closed roof was initially unusual for Schumacher during test drives in October. But he now sees the challenge as a “great opportunity to refine my skills as a driver.” Alpine sports director Bruno Famin said: “Even though it is his first foray into long-distance racing, his enthusiasm for the project and his willingness to come to us is palpable. I am sure he will be an asset.”
Of course, Schumacher doesn’t want to give up the hope of making it as a regular driver in Formula 1 again. With Alpine, he is now with a manufacturer that also has a racing team in Formula 1. Schumacher is very good friends with Esteban Ocon, who works there.
Schumacher was promoted to Formula 1 in 2020, and the year before he had distinguished himself by winning the Formula 2 championship. With the Haas team, Schumacher experienced two very mixed years with his own mistakes, some good races, but above all a car that was far too weak in the first year.
In the second season he initially had two serious and costly accidents, and the already rather weak public support from team boss Günther Steiner continued to decline. Eventually he was replaced by compatriot Nico Hülkenberg (36), who has already won the 24 Hours of Le Mans.
The classic is now likely to be the next racing highlight for Mick Schumacher. The World Cup starts on March 2nd in Qatar. The Formula 1 season begins in Bahrain, less than 100 kilometers away as the crow flies. The spectacle in Le Mans takes place on June 15th and 16th – with Alpine regular driver Mick Schumacher.
