Mick Schumacher confirms he IS in talks to return to Formula One as son of legendary driver Michael plots surprise comeback after being dumped in 2022
The German driver has not raced in F1 since leaving Haas in 2022, and was replaced by Valtteri Bottas as Mercedes' reserve driver at the end of last season.
However, with General Motors-backed team Cadillac set to join the grid in March of next year, Schumacher is one of the many drivers currently without a seat vying to drive the new car on the block.
Sergio Perez and Bottas are said to be the frontrunners for the two open seats, with both without a place on the grid currently.
But they are just two of many candidates in the running, and Schumacher - who now drives in the World Endurance Championship with Alpine - has revealed that he has held 'positive' conversations with team principal Graeme Lowdon, calling the Cadillac project 'incredible'.
The 26-year-old told Motorsport.com: 'Yes, of course, discussions are ongoing. The communication has been very positive so far.
'They've already hired a fantastic number of people for it [the project]. It's an honour to be part of it, to negotiate with them, and a great position to be in.'
Lowdon, who previously ran the Manor F1 team in its various forms in the early 2010s, also confirmed that discussions with Schumacher had taken place while on the High Performance podcast.
'Yeah, we're talking to Mick,' said Lowdon with a huge grin on his face.
Many thought that Schumacher's chance in F1 had already passed when he was booted from the Haas team, with an array of talented young drivers overtaking him in the pecking order.
Nonetheless, Lowdon was full of praise for the son of seven-time world champion, Michael Schumacher, even if he is one of many in with a shout of a seat at Cadillac next season.
'Mick is great,' Lowdon told Sky Deutschland. 'He's a very nice guy, I like him a lot. I've got to know him better now.
'He's still young, but he already has Formula 1 experience. Of course, that was a while ago, but he's kept himself up to date.
'We really like that. We really like that. He is no stranger to the team. He knows where we stand. There are some positive things to say about Mick.
'He is clearly one of the drivers on the list. But I should also say that the list is quite long.'
Bottas has been one of the names floated about when discussing who may drive for the Ferrari-powered team, and Lowdon has confirmed that talks with the Mercedes reserve driver have also taken place.
However, the team principal was keen to make it known that he does not want the likes of Schumacher and Bottas to join just to prove they are still worthy of a seat, but to help the team succeed in its rookie year.
Continuing on the High Performance Podcast, he said: 'Everyone wants to prove something else again. I never look at that as the biggest motivator.
'Our team is not there as a vehicle for someone to prove a point. Our team is there to provide a position on the pitch, if you like.
'For someone to prove what they can do for sure, but it's not the vehicle to show the world, prove a point, or whatever.
'The driver is there to do the best that they possibly can for their team, and they should be motivated for the team around them as well. So, I'm less keen on people who kind of want to prove a personal point.'
When asked about the prospect of Perez joining the cause, Lowdon did not want to rule any driver out of the running.
'Every single person, every name that you're going to read out, we're talking to everyone because everyone wants the drive.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Glasgow Times
9 hours ago
- Glasgow Times
Christian Horner exit doesn't affect my Red Bull future
Horner will not be at a Formula One race for the first time in two decades for this weekend's Belgian Grand Prix after he was 'released' as team principal and CEO 16 days ago. His departure came 17 months after he was accused by a female staff member of 'inappropriate behaviour'. The 51-year-old, who oversaw 14 world championships, always denied the claims and was twice exonerated. Christian Horner left his role as Red Bull team principal earlier this month (David Davies/PA) The allegations coincided with a slump in Red Bull's form, with Verstappen taking just four victories from his last 26 appearances. He is 69 points off the championship pace at the midway stage of the season. Verstappen's father Jos claimed back in March of last year that Red Bull would 'explode' if Horner was not moved on, and it had been speculated that Horner's dismissal was a power play by the Verstappen camp. But when asked if Horner's exit will affect whether he stays beyond this season, Verstappen said: 'No, it doesn't really. 'People can have a difference of opinion, and I actually expect that to happen because if everyone always agrees, there is a problem. 'We work in a different direction, I'm excited about it, but I don't think it will matter at all for my decision in the future. The last one and a half years have not been what we want to be. Now we will try and be more competitive.' Verstappen, 27, has a contract with Red Bull until 2028, although a performance-related clause could activate an early release. Mercedes are known to be admirers and Toto Wolff and Verstappen were recently in Sardinia. However, both parties have dismissed their respective holidays as a coincidence. Jos Verstappen said Red Bull would 'explode' if Christian Horner stayed at Red Bull (Bradley Collyer/PA) Pressed as to whether there is a possibility he will not drive for Red Bull beyond this year, four-time world champion Verstappen replied: 'There is also a possibility I don't wake up tomorrow. So then there is no driving at all. Life is unpredictable. 'But I'm very happy where I'm at. The target we set out when we signed the new deal was that I would drive here until the end of my career.' Verstappen revealed he has been in touch with Horner but said 'time will tell' whether his sudden departure is the right decision. The F1 team's parent company, Red Bull GmbH, did not specify a reason behind Horner's exit. Verstappen continued: 'Management and the shareholders decided that they wanted a change. They run the team. And I'm the driver, so whatever they decide, it's fully in their right to do what they want. 'You look back at those 20 years of Red Bull and we've had a lot of great years and great results. Management decided they wanted to steer the ship in a different direction. 'Looking back doesn't make sense. It's not going to make you faster. But at the same time, we do appreciate and remember those 20 years. And the relationship between myself and Christian doesn't change. Of course, he's not here now during a race weekend. But it's still like a second family to me.' Lewis Hamilton spoke to the media ahead of Sunday's Belgian Grand Prix (Bradley Collyer/PA) Lewis Hamilton will contest his 369th race on Sunday, but the first of his long career without rival Horner, whose shoes will be filled by Frenchman Laurent Mekies, on the Red Bull pit wall. 'I was neither surprised nor unsurprised,' said Hamilton. 'It doesn't change anything in my life. 'I sat with Christian in his office back in 2005, and I was in Formula Three and looking to go into GP2. He was with Arden. 'I wouldn't say we hit it off from the get-go but to see his progression and his career, it was clearly remarkable what he did with the team with a huge group of amazing people. 'To run an organisation that big and that well takes talent and skill and that is what he brought to the team. I wish him all the best.'
Reuters
9 hours ago
- Reuters
Scarred Norris has a nose for success
SPA-FRANCORCHAMPS, Belgium, July 24 (Reuters) - Formula One title contender Lando Norris is scarred by success. He also has a nose for it. The McLaren driver now sports two scars on his nose, each a memento of a career milestone, and the Briton is not altogether unhappy about it. The first cut was acquired in Amsterdam last year on a broken glass while on a party weekend, days before he took his breakthrough maiden career F1 victory in Miami. The second injury came at Silverstone this month while he was celebrating a first home win in front of fans at the British Grand Prix and a mesh fence partially collapsed and a photographer fell on him. "It's healing nicely now," Norris, laughing, told reporters when asked at the Belgian Grand Prix about the latest facial injury. "I got a more professional repair on this one. "But both are great memories of mine. So if I ever want to look in the mirror and think of something great, I just look at my nose. It was a little shame because at that moment I wanted to stand on the pit straight and all the fans were there, so I missed out a little bit on a nice moment. My nose is unlucky at the moment." Norris is second in the championship at the midpoint, eight points adrift of Australian teammate Oscar Piastri. He has won four times this season, including the showcase Monaco Grand Prix.
Rhyl Journal
10 hours ago
- Rhyl Journal
Christian Horner exit doesn't affect my Red Bull future
Horner will not be at a Formula One race for the first time in two decades for this weekend's Belgian Grand Prix after he was 'released' as team principal and CEO 16 days ago. His departure came 17 months after he was accused by a female staff member of 'inappropriate behaviour'. The 51-year-old, who oversaw 14 world championships, always denied the claims and was twice exonerated. The allegations coincided with a slump in Red Bull's form, with Verstappen taking just four victories from his last 26 appearances. He is 69 points off the championship pace at the midway stage of the season. Verstappen's father Jos claimed back in March of last year that Red Bull would 'explode' if Horner was not moved on, and it had been speculated that Horner's dismissal was a power play by the Verstappen camp. But when asked if Horner's exit will affect whether he stays beyond this season, Verstappen said: 'No, it doesn't really. 'People can have a difference of opinion, and I actually expect that to happen because if everyone always agrees, there is a problem. 'We work in a different direction, I'm excited about it, but I don't think it will matter at all for my decision in the future. The last one and a half years have not been what we want to be. Now we will try and be more competitive.' Verstappen, 27, has a contract with Red Bull until 2028, although a performance-related clause could activate an early release. Mercedes are known to be admirers and Toto Wolff and Verstappen were recently in Sardinia. However, both parties have dismissed their respective holidays as a coincidence. Pressed as to whether there is a possibility he will not drive for Red Bull beyond this year, four-time world champion Verstappen replied: 'There is also a possibility I don't wake up tomorrow. So then there is no driving at all. Life is unpredictable. 'But I'm very happy where I'm at. The target we set out when we signed the new deal was that I would drive here until the end of my career.' Verstappen revealed he has been in touch with Horner but said 'time will tell' whether his sudden departure is the right decision. The F1 team's parent company, Red Bull GmbH, did not specify a reason behind Horner's exit. Verstappen continued: 'Management and the shareholders decided that they wanted a change. They run the team. And I'm the driver, so whatever they decide, it's fully in their right to do what they want. 'You look back at those 20 years of Red Bull and we've had a lot of great years and great results. Management decided they wanted to steer the ship in a different direction. 'Looking back doesn't make sense. It's not going to make you faster. But at the same time, we do appreciate and remember those 20 years. And the relationship between myself and Christian doesn't change. Of course, he's not here now during a race weekend. But it's still like a second family to me.' Lewis Hamilton will contest his 369th race on Sunday, but the first of his long career without rival Horner, whose shoes will be filled by Frenchman Laurent Mekies, on the Red Bull pit wall. 'I was neither surprised nor unsurprised,' said Hamilton. 'It doesn't change anything in my life. 'I sat with Christian in his office back in 2005, and I was in Formula Three and looking to go into GP2. He was with Arden. 'I wouldn't say we hit it off from the get-go but to see his progression and his career, it was clearly remarkable what he did with the team with a huge group of amazing people. 'To run an organisation that big and that well takes talent and skill and that is what he brought to the team. I wish him all the best.'
