Mick Schumacher has dismissed the possibility of joining Indycar for the time being, despite doubts from a former world champion about his chances of an F1 return next year.
This week, Schumacher announced that his potential return to the grid after missing two seasons was "within reach," after participating in tests with Mercedes, Alpine, and McLaren in 2024.
Previously a driver for Haas during the 2021-2022 seasons, and currently serving as Mercedes' F1 reserve while racing for Alpine's WEC program, Schumacher is also rumored to be a prospect for Williams. However, Alpine seems to offer the most promising opportunity, where he is up against Jack Doohan and Carlos Sainz.
Schumacher believes that Sainz's decision will play a crucial role in the next phase of the driver market 'silly season'.
"His decision will affect everything, because depending on where he goes, various seats will open or close," Schumacher, son of the legendary Michael Schumacher, conveyed to Diario Sport.
Nonetheless, Jacques Villeneuve, the 1997 champion known in part for his intense past rivalry with Michael Schumacher, expresses skepticism about Mick's future success. "It seems that no team wants Mick Schumacher," Villeneuve commented.
"Mick and his team have made a push, but no one seems to be rushing to get him on their team."
Villeneuve, aged 53, attributes part of the hesitation to the fact that Schumacher's former Haas team boss, Gunther Steiner, dismissed him after a prolonged spell of critiquing his performance. "That's worrying for the teams," Villeneuve remarked. "Do they want to take the risk of hoping that Mick is better than he was? At the moment it doesn't look like that."
Villeneuve suggests that Schumacher's best bet might be persuading new owner Audi to place him at Sauber next to Nico Hulkenberg, aiming for a dual German lineup. "If a team hires Mick as an F1 driver, it is because they want the Schumacher image," Villeneuve observed. "It's a risk that Audi could be willing to take."
If F1 doesn't pan out next year for Mick, he considers continuing in the World Endurance Championship as a solid 'plan B'.
Disregarding the swirling Indycar rumors, Schumacher stated, "I have never spoken to any Indycar team. I don't know where that rumor comes from. I'm not thinking about it right now because it's not my goal.
"My goal has always been Formula 1 and it will always remain Formula 1." body check tags ::
