Mick Schumacher’s return to F1 for the 2025 season is potentially out of the works amid his recent participation in Pirelli wet weather tyre test.
The German’s recent participation in a Pirelli wet weather tyre test with Mercedes at the Magny-Cours circuit in France has reignited discussions about his future in Formula 1.
The return comes after a challenging period since being dropped by Haas at the end of the 2022 season, but the German has remained resolute in his pursuit of a full-time return to the sport that has been a significant part of his family legacy.
Schumacher has spent the last two years as a reserve driver at Mercedes, where he continues honing his skills in close connection to the F1 environment. He also doubles up as an Alpine driver in the WEC and the team is attempting to retain his services for 2025 with Formula 1 opportunities having dried up.
Tuesday morning marked Mick Schumacher’s return to F1 testing, just days after his sister’s wedding at his family’s luxury villa in Majorca where it is believed his father Michael made his first public appearance.
However, the Pirelli wet weather tyre test was curtailed by deteriorating weather conditions and Schumacher’s run was cut short after completing 29 laps and a 1:39.172 benchmark in the Mercedes W15.
While the Pirelli wet weather tyre test demonstrated his commitment to staying race-ready, the landscape for Mick Schumacher’s return to F1 remains complex and competitive.
Currently, Audi appears to be the most viable option for him as the team prepares for its entry into the sport in 2026 and is reportedly considering several candidates for its second driver position alongside Nico Hulkenberg, who has already been confirmed for the upcoming season.
New Audi team principal Mattia Binotto has acknowledged Schumacher’s talent and potential, indicating that he remains on their shortlist of drivers. However, the competition is fierce as other names under consideration include established drivers like Valtteri Bottas and promising talents such as Franco Colapinto and Gabriel Bortoleto.
Schumacher was left disappointed again as Williams picked Argentine Franco Colapinto to complete the 2024 season, with Carlos Sainz already locked to partner Alex Albon next year amid strong links to the Silver Arrows.
The narrative surrounding Schumacher’s potential return is further complicated by public perception. Recent polls suggest that many fans are skeptical about his chances of securing a full-time seat again while others argue that he has not yet had a fair chance to showcase his abilities at the highest level.
Meanwhile, Alpine F1 has passed him over in favor of junior driver Jack Doohan to partner Pierre Gasly for 2025 season after both tested at the Paul Ricard Circuit ahead of the British Grand Prix.
However Schumacher’s resolve remains strong and his unwavering commitment to returning to Formula 1 has always been his primary goal.
Regarding the upcoming racing season, Signatech Alpine team principal Philippe Sinault has spoken highly of the 25-year-old Schumacher, saying that the French team is eager to have him continue in their WEC lineup.
The last time out at Fuji, Schumacher and teammates Nicolas Lapierre and Matthieu Vaxiviere secured their first World Endurance Championship hypercar class podium.
“It’s difficult to say. I hope [he stays],” Sinault was quoted by PlanetF1. “We push and we say to him immediately that for us it’s a really really key point that he must stay with us.
“But nothing is in my hand. Formula 1 is still Formula 1. We have to wait again. I hope in the short term we have some news about that.
“I think we did a good job together. I’m so happy about his level of performance, his pace, his commitment, I think he is quite happy about the job also.
“If he is not in F1, we are closer to continue to work together.”
Asked what Alpine can do to convince Schumacher, motorsport boss Bruno Famin replied: “To be better. It’s not only what the team can do, it’s [about his personal choice].
“We all know that Mick’s number one priority would be if he had the possibility, but we know that there is only one seat left to have the opportunity to go back to Formula 1.
“Let’s see what we do, what will be the final decision. From our side we will be happy if he stays.”
