The son of legendary Formula One racer Michael Schumacher, is never far from the motorsport headlines. The latest hope of a return to F1 for fans of Mick, now 26 years old, was that the newest F1 team Cadillac would engage his services.
Mick had two seasons with Haas F1, and alongside Russian oligarch’s son Nikita Mazepin in 2021, the team failed to score a single point across the entire season. Schumacher’s first points came the following year whilst driving alongside Kevin Magnussen although it was the Danish river who scored 25 of the 37 points for the American owned team that season.
Schumacher is marmite in the many comments sections of the F1 websites, some believe he merely made it to F1 because of his father’s record breaking career. Others point to the fact that he is one of a select few who have won both the junior categories below F1 be they GP3/GP2 or more recently F3 and F2.
Mick ‘crashtor’ reputation
Yet Mick garnered a reputation for crashing more than his fair share of times although much of this reputation was propagated by his showbiz team boss Guenther Steiner.
A regular star on Netflix Drive to Survive for his outspoken beliefs and repeated rants, Steiner was captured following the 2022 Saudi Arabia Grand Prix on the phone to team principal Gene Haas discussing Schumacher’s crash.
“It is fuck!” said the Italian. “Between half a million and a million I would say. Fucking hell. Gave him a year to learn and what does he do in the second race? He fucking destroys the car just because the other one is faster.”
Schumacher had a spectacular crash in Monaco that year as he lost control of the car on entering the swimming pool section. The Haas F1 car broke in two, which is a rare dight in modern F1, although Mick walked away will little bruised but his ego. Again the DTS camera’s recorded the post race conversation between team boss and owner with Gene suggesting Mick was in the “dead man walking area”. Steiner replied: “If he doesn’t pull his trousers up, he will be soon.”
Schumacher now two years in WEC
In his three year absence from F1, Mick has repeatedly stated his passion is to return to the sport. He is currently competing with the Alpine team in endurance racing although it was reported he had an opportunity to join the Cadillac sponsored Jota outfit whilst performing the role of reserve driver for their F1 team.
Instead Schumacher for now has opted to test with Indycar team Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing later this month, where he will deliver his first laps in the premier North American racing series on the road course at the iconic Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
“I am very much looking forward to driving my first IndyCar test,” said Schumacher. “A big thank you to the Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing team for giving me this opportunity. The same goes for driving this car at Indianapolis Motor Speedway for the first time, a race track with a big history and that my dad has driven on before…
“It is not a secret that I am big fan of single-seater racing after all, so this first IndyCar test will be an experience to treasure, and I am very much looking forward to driving a car where I can see my wheels.”
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Ralf claims Indycar is “dangerous”
Yet his uncle Ralf Schumacher who also raced in F1 between 1997 and 2007 is concerned about his nephew’s welfare claiming that Indycar may be too “dangerous.”
“To be honest, I haven’t spoken to him myself, but he was apparently quoted as saying that his heart is burning for motorsport and single-seater cars, and that’s why he’s so keen to try it out” Ralf told Sky Germany. “I don’t really understand that, because I believe he’s in great hands where he is now and can have a great future.”
Schumacher and his WEC team this year claimed podium finishes in both imola and the six hours of Spa, but his sits mid-table in the drivers’ title race down in P14. Ralf uses the inverted argument that Indycar drivers rarely make the transition to F1 but fails to recognise those who have had success moving the other way.
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“It’s not so easy for people from IndyCar to make the transition to Formula 1,” said Ralf. “The tests that have taken place so far have not been successful. And if you go over there, it’s a bit like Japan – the standard is still high, so it won’t be that easy to succeed in America.
“And that’s why it’s an additional pressure that perhaps you don’t need to put yourself under,” he added, “I personally understand the emotions, but if it were David, I would honestly resist it because it would simply be too dangerous for me.”
Ralf never drove in the North American racing series, but it has proved redemption for a number of ex-F1 drivers in recent years. Both Marcus Ericsson and Alexander Rossi were ‘also rans’ when competing in F1, but both have gone on to enjoy success in America winning the iconic Indy500 race and cementing new careers after F1.
Schumacher bemoans the fact that Cadillac went for two drivers with experience rather than the youth of his nephew. “Cadillac chose Bottas and Perez because both have won races, worked with top teams and break little to nothing,” he told t-online. “This is important for a team that wants to gather insights and information quickly.
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Schumacher questions Cadillac’s decision
“The only question is whether both still have the speed. After all, the last years of the two were not exactly particularly strong, to put it kindly. I think it’s a bit surprising, because I would have preferred the combination of experience and youth.
“I am convinced that Mick would have given the team something with the racing experience he has from Formula 1 and also his last appearances in the World Endurance Championship.”
The most difficult aspect of Indycar racing for drivers first schooled in F1 is learning how to race on the oval circuits. The average speeds achieved are far higher than in F1 and learning how to adapt the car with the tools such as the weight jacker and roll bars during each stint as the tyres wear and fuel load runs down are vital for success and keeping it out of the wall.
Should Mick join Indycar next year, it is likely he will sit out the oval circuits while he learns his trade and with in season testing allowed in the series he will build up his experience before attempting the daunting oval racing.
Red Bull target former McLaren driver for their lineup
A new development in Red Bull’s driver strategy appears to be emerging, as Helmut Marko has publicly confirmed his interest in former McLaren junior driver Alexander Dunne. Following Dunne’s unexpected departure from McLaren, Red Bull appears ready to evaluate the young Irishman as a potential addition to their driver pool.
Dunne, who is just 19 years old, now finds himself at a crossroads in his career after being released by McLaren by mutual agreement. This opens the door for one of Formula 1’s most ambitious and aggressive young racers to seek a new opportunity. For Red Bull, known for its bold recruitment and fast-tracked junior promotion system, this seems like a natural fit….. READ MORE
A.J. Hunt is Senior Editor at TJ13, where Andrew oversees editorial standards and contributes to the site’s Formula 1 coverage. A career journalist with experience in both print and digital sports media, Andrew trained in investigative journalism and has written for a range of European sports outlets.
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