F1 Rumour: Mick Schumacher And Mike Elliott To Make Huge Alpine Move
Former Mercedes chief technical officer Mike Elliott and reserve driver Mick Schumacher are rumoured to be moving to Alpine. Franck Montagny, a respected F1 pundit, suggests this transfer could mark a significant shift in their careers.
Key Takeaways:
- Mike Elliott has ended his 11-year stint with Mercedes, and Mick Schumacher, after being dropped by Haas, served as Mercedes' reserve driver for the 2023 season.
- Both Elliott and Schumacher are linked to Alpine, with Elliott potentially joining the team and Schumacher testing for Alpine’s World Endurance Championship program, indicating a possible move away from Formula 1.
- Franck Montagny, a pundit for Canal+, predicts a collaborative move of Elliott and Schumacher to Alpine, noting Toto Wolff's keen interest in placing Schumacher in a competitive position and ongoing recruitment at Alpine.
Former Mercedes chief technical officer Mike Elliott and the team's 2023 reserve driver Mick Schumacher are speculated to be on the move to Alpine. This speculation has been fuelled by comments from Franck Montagny, a former F1 driver and current pundit for French broadcaster Canal+.
Montagny's insights come in the wake of Elliott's departure from Mercedes, concluding an impressive 11-year tenure with the team. Meanwhile, Schumacher, who found himself without a regular drive after Haas chose not to continue with him beyond the 2022 season, has been linked with a potential move to the World Endurance Championship (WEC) with Alpine.
Mercedes Press Image
Schumacher's involvement with Alpine has already seen progress, as he recently completed his first test in Alpine’s LMDh car, a clear indication of a potential 2024 drive in the WEC hypercar class. This move, if it materialises, would mark a significant shift in Schumacher's career path, moving him away from Formula 1.
Montagny has openly speculated about this transition, saying:
"We know that [Mercedes team principal Toto] Wolff is very, very keen to put Schumacher in a car, we know that he could potentially race in WEC for Alpine, and they’re in the middle of recruiting at Alpine.
"I’ve got a feeling that there’s going to be a little deal between the two teams. I’d hazard a little guess, so I’d bet a little money on the arrival of Elliott at Alpine with Schumacher."
This potential move comes as other opportunities within F1 appear to dwindle for Schumacher. He had been linked with a switch to Williams for the 2024 season. However, with Williams showing a renewed commitment to their current driver, American rookie Logan Sargeant, alongside Alex Albon, that avenue seems closed.
With the only uncertain seat for the 2024 F1 season effectively filled, Schumacher's options within Formula 1 are limited. Toto Wolff has kept the door open for Schumacher to continue in his reserve role, which could be combined with a program outside F1, potentially with Alpine in the WEC.