Mick Schumacher is more concerned than ever about his future in Formula 1. There are now only five cockpits left for the 2023 season. The German is not considered a favorite in any of these places.
How is it going? How big is the chance that Mick Schumacher will still be driving in Formula 1 in 2023? Which cockpit can he still hope for, which way is almost certainly blocked? sport.de provides an overview:
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Haas: Schumacher signs are saying goodbye
The most recent statements by team boss Günther Steiner only allow one conclusion: Mick Schumacher is nothing more than a B solution for Haas. In the “RTL/ntv” interview, the South Tyrolean estimated the chances of the German staying on “Fifty-Fifty”. Means: If the team finds a more suitable pilot, Mick is out.
According to Steiner, Schumacher still has his future with the US team in his own hands. But even if the 23-year-old can convince those responsible in the last races of the season, the relationship would be permanently strained after the impasse.
Steiner speaks vaguely of a “gut feeling” that will be decisive in the end. Obviously, this feeling has not completely convinced him of Schumacher so far. It is quite unlikely that this will change.
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Alfa Romeo: Schumacher without a financial ace up his sleeve
On Thursday, Alfa announced a September 27 announcement. There are many indications that the racing team will confirm its driver pairing for the 2023 season on this day. There is even more to suggest that Guanyu Zhou will continue to be a part of this pairing. That would put Mick out of the running here too.
Zhou already confirmed corresponding talks with the team management a week ago. At the same time, Cedric Vasseur raved about the Chinese, who didn’t do everything right in his first year, but didn’t do much wrong either.
It can only be speculated to what extent Zhou’s commitment is also financially worthwhile for the racing team. There are no official figures on sponsorship money flowing from the Middle Kingdom. But they will certainly make Vasseur and Co.’s decision easier. Mick Schumacher doesn’t have that ace up his sleeve.
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Williams: Schumacher just one of many candidates
Williams revealed his worst-kept secret this week and finally officially split from Nicholas Latifi. Without the Canadian, the team saves a lot of repair costs, but without him, a few sponsor millions are missing in the coffers.
The clear favorite to succeed him is Nyck de Vries, who knows the team and recently publicly courted team boss Jost Capito. However, the Dutchman is also high on the list of other teams.
The American Logan Sargeant also plays a role in the considerations of the British racing team. He would be Williams’ direct ticket to the US market, whose potential seems almost limitless.
And Mick Schumacher? He was recently praised effusively by Capito and is definitely one of the candidates. However, there are so many names ahead of him on the list that the German is little more than an outsider from the cockpit.
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AlphaTauri: No way to Red Bull
Pierre Gasly’s AlphaTauri cockpit is one that many drivers would like to have. Mick Schumacher is one of them. But according to media reports, the German will not get the place.
Nyck de Vries is after Anger about the American Colton Herta the top candidate who could inherit Gasly. Talks between the Dutchman and Helmut Marko have already taken place. But the Frenchman is still firmly in the saddle with Red Bull’s B-Team.
Should AlphaTauri come to the conclusion that there is no better driver on the market than Gasly, they will keep the Frenchman for another year, buying themselves time to look for a replacement.
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Alpine: Clear focus on Gasly
Alpine has what is perhaps the most attractive free cockpit to offer for the 2023 Formula 1 season. The French are currently number one in midfield, so the place alongside Esteban Ocon is in high demand.
Schumacher would also like to try his luck there. But the German would not be more than a B solution here either. The team wants Pierre Gasly and will do some things to get the AlphaTauri driver.
Rumors about a possible Schumacher commitment recently evaporated as quickly as they arose. After it was initially said that Mick would take part in the Alpine tests in Hungary, the team immediately denied it. A clear sign that Schumacher does not actually play a role in the considerations.
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Ferrari: Mick’s best chance
In the end, the move back to the second link could be Schumacher’s best chance of staying in Formula 1. It cannot be ruled out that Ferrari will step in and sign the 23-year-old as a replacement driver.
That would certainly not be Mick’s ideal solution, but at least he would keep one foot in the door – much more, it seems, is hardly possible at the moment.
Christian Schenzel