After departing Haas in 2022, Mick Schumacher has served as a reserve driver for Mercedes.
Mick Schumacher is reportedly a candidate to become an Alpine driver next season, with Esteban Ocon and Pierre Gasly both considering their options on the grid for 2025.
Alpine has faced challenges with a car that has not met expectations at the beginning of the 2024 season. Moreover, as both drivers’ contracts are set to expire at the end of the year, neither has currently secured a new agreement extending beyond the current campaign.
Mick Schumacher a possible contender for an Alpine seat?
After departing from Haas in 2022, Schumacher joined Mercedes as their reserve driver. Additionally, he recently inked a deal with Alpine’s World Endurance Championship team in the Hypercar category, aiming to reignite his racing career and make a comeback in Formula 1.
And a report from German publication F1-Insider has claimed that both Ocon and Gasly are both looking for other seats on the grid for next season after their tough start to the year, and Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff is looking to help Schumacher find a way back onto the grid if he can.
The same report claims Ocon, who is still managed by Wolff and Mercedes as their junior driver, is a potential candidate to drive for Williams, as is highly-rated junior driver Andrea Kimi Antonelli, but any opening that may emerge at Alpine could open the door for Schumacher to return to Formula 1 – with Alpine team principal Bruno Famin said to have been impressed by his early outings in WEC.
Neither of the current drivers were able to provide a definite timeline for securing their futures with the team when questioned about it recently. However, they are both determined to contribute to Alpine’s success as soon as possible and enhance their own performances. This determination comes after Ocon scored the team’s first point of the season in the previous race held in Miami.
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“In Miami, Gasly expressed, ‘Indeed, the team has managed to secure a few commendable signings.'”
In my opinion, the overall perspective is that we are aware the car’s inception isn’t ideal, and it’s inevitable that occasionally we succeed in certain years while in others, we miss the mark.
I believe the crucial aspect lies in our ability to respond to it. It’s important to acknowledge that this process takes time. I don’t anticipate a significant transformation to occur rapidly, but I believe we have gathered sufficient data to identify what is effective and what is not.
Afterwards, it becomes a question of our approach towards the situation. With May just around the corner, we naturally consider the current season and its potential outcomes, as well as what can be accomplished in the following year. Simultaneously, we must also plan for ’26, which will demand extensive effort and the development of an entirely new car.
There are many factors to take into account, but I am able to observe all the operations at the factory. Ultimately, I understand that it will require time, but it is crucial that we take action and not remain content with our current inadequate level of competitiveness.
Ocon added, “I am fully committed to working tirelessly with the team, as the future remains uncertain.”
“I have always held the belief that being a part of this project was important, and now that I have been involved in it for some time, I can confidently say that I signed a three-year contract for a reason.”
“At present, I am focusing on each race individually and the future will unveil itself in due time.”
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