F1 News: Mick Schumacher Speaks Out Mercedes Opportunity After Lewis Hamilton Exit
Mercedes reserve driver Mick Schumacher has shared his thoughts regarding the open seat which will be forming at the Brackley-based squad following Lewis Hamilton's exit in 2025. Schumacher, currently aligned with Alpine for his WEC pursuits, has downplayed the speculation linking him to the Mercedes seat.
Key Takeaways:
- Lewis Hamilton's move to Ferrari has opened up discussions about his potential successor at Mercedes.
- Mick Schumacher, amid these speculations, remains focused on his commitment to Alpine in the WEC.
- Schumacher's discussions with Alpine highlight his dedication to his current team and his future in endurance racing.
Lewis Hamilton announced his departure from Mercedes, a team instrumental in securing six of his seven F1 titles, to join Ferrari in 2025. This move has sparked widespread speculation about who might fill the void left by Hamilton. Among the names being considered is Mick Schumacher, who had a challenging tenure with Haas and is currently a reserve driver for Mercedes.
When questioned by RacingNews365 about his interest in the Mercedes seat for the upcoming season, Schumacher responded:
"On that topic, I didn't really think much [about it]."
Schumacher further elaborated on his situation at Alpine, expressing satisfaction with his team and the collaborative work environment.
"I'm very happy with the sort of engineering team I have around me, I think we've got a better understanding of, you know, what we need, both as a team and myself as a driver.
"I think the team understood well, what are the sort of characteristics in the way that that I work, and we're doing really well.
"So I think it's mainly about keeping that collaboration going and keeping that way of working together to finish the year. And I must say, I'm quite confident on that side, let's just start the season from where we left off.
"We're obviously here at Alpine for the launch of the car, and what's going to come in the next few weeks, we will have to see."
The decision to join Alpine was driven by the appeal of embarking on a "whole new project" with high aspirations. Schumacher shared his excitement about the opportunity, stating:
"It just really sparked that flame in me to want to go and race here, so I'm happy to be here and I guess the feeling is kind of mutual.
"Honestly, Bruno [Famin, VP Alpine Motorsports], came to me very early last year, asking me whether I'd like to join the programme.
"Obviously, at the time, I was still very much looking at Formula 1 and trying to go in that direction, but that door didn't open for me.
"But the offer was still there, and it was a very good opportunity for me to go into Endurance racing and have racing again, but also at the same time be very close to Formula 1."
As Schumacher embarks on his debut WEC season, he will have the support of experienced teammates Nico Lapierre and Matthieu Vaxiviere in the #36 car. Reflecting on his new role, Schumacher remarked:
"I haven't been a rookie in a while. it feels like being a rookie again.
"But it's great sharing the car with two very experienced drivers in Endurance and getting to know them better, getting to know the ways of how to work in this racing environment, and I'm very happy to be a part of it."