Mick Schumacher.
With Mick Schumacher named as a contender for an F1 2025 seat by Alpine, his former team boss Guenther Steiner does not believe that is the right move, saying they must target “the best driver” on the market.
Alpine are looking to battle back from a rough start to the F1 2024 campaign which has seen them score only two points so far, but question marks hover over the futures of their drivers Esteban Ocon and Pierre Gasly, who are both out of contract as it stands come the end of the season.
Guenther Steiner tells Alpine not to target Mick Schumacher
Alpine’s team boss, Bruno Famin, has confirmed that Schumacher is being considered as a potential new driver for their F1 2025 line-up. Schumacher, who previously raced at Haas under Steiner’s leadership, has left a positive impression on Alpine through his performances in the World Endurance Championship.
However, while speaking on the Red Flags podcast, Steiner stressed that as a works team, Alpine “should have the money to get the best driver on the market”, name-dropping Carlos Sainz, who will leave Ferrari at the end of the season and Yuki Tsunoda, who is shining with RB, as the pick of the bunch.
When asked if he would currently exclude Schumacher from consideration for the position of Alpine boss, Steiner responded with a negative answer.
“You should find the most exceptional driver you are aware of, someone who demonstrates exceptional skills and abilities.”
“As a team representing the organization, it is essential to strive for excellence in all endeavors.”
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After a first-lap collision with Gasly in Monaco, leading to his retirement from the race, Ocon vehemently dismissed any criticism and speculation surrounding his Alpine future.
Steiner believes that Alpine should exercise caution while selecting their 2025 driver line-up, considering the fact that Ocon and Gasly have a history of not seeing eye to eye.
When asked about his thoughts on Ocon’s frequent conflicts with his teammates, Steiner responded by saying that it is something he definitely considers and doesn’t want to happen as a team boss.
“I consistently emphasize that teammates do not necessarily have to be close friends or socialize outside of work, but they must show mutual respect. This principle applies not only on the field but also in various aspects of life, as respecting others is a fundamental value.”
“If you find yourself uncomfortable driving with this person on your team, simply find another option. Similarly, if I am unhappy in a certain situation, I choose to move forward instead of forcefully imposing my preferences on others, especially when it affects the overall team dynamic.”
“So, it would have been appropriate for one of them to express, ‘I am unable to be on the same team as this individual,’ and it would have been wise for someone else to acknowledge that. The background between the two of them, which even their parents seem to be aware of, necessitated their separation.”
“That’s not the outcome you desire when you’re thinking, ‘Oh, we will become teammates, everything is fine, despite our past conflicts over the last two decades, but now it’s all good,’ you know?”
Among the potential options for 2025 are drivers like Jack Doohan, who is currently serving as an Alpine reserve driver.
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