Having spent over a year and a half as a reserve driver for Mercedes and a guest driver for Alpine in the WEC, Mick Schumacher is likely to make a comeback to the premier class next year with Alpine. The lobbying for this move is in full swing, as evident at the Red Bull Ring.
Being the son of a famous father has its pros and cons. Doors open here and there. When powerful, influential people support you, it increases your chances of success. This is especially true in Formula 1, a political and commercial hornet’s nest where the right relationships are crucial. A colleague who has been around for decades recently described the sport as Formula Omerta. Well, that says it all.
Those who have been following the news closely would have noticed a surge in reports about Mick Schumacher. Jean Todt, former president of the International Automobile Federation (FIA) and best known as the team boss during Ferrari’s heyday, has been particularly vocal. The Frenchman won five world titles with Michael Schumacher, Mick’s father, and they have remained lifelong friends since.
According to Todt, Mick Schumacher, who was dropped by Haas after two seasons in Formula 1 in 2022, is a ‘better driver than half of the current field’. This is a bold statement, especially considering Mick Schumacher’s former team boss at Haas, Günther Steiner, claims the exact opposite. The Italian recently advised teams not to put Mick Schumacher in a Formula 1 car, labeling him as too much of a risk-taker.
Todt’s Remarks Plant the First Seed
Indeed, Todt’s comments have sown the first seed. The next person who will undoubtedly attempt to secure a seat for the German driver is Flavio Briatore: former team boss of Michael Schumacher at Benetton (two world titles), the mastermind behind one of the biggest scandals in Formula 1 (crashgate, Singapore 2008), and appointed by Alpine as a consultant to clean up the mess at the French racing stable. Leave it to the Italian entrepreneur; it’s right up his alley.
Briatore’s Influence and the Schumacher Connection
The connection with the Schumachers is, of course, quickly made. Briatore will likely have a decisive voice in who should succeed Esteban Ocon. His arrival puts Mick Schumacher in pole position: next week, there will be a real shoot-out with Jack Doohan, who, as Alpine’s reserve driver, is also vying for the same seat. He said yesterday in Spielberg that a decision will be made soon (UST time). It wouldn’t surprise me if Briatore was brought in partly to deliver the bad news to Doohan that he has been passed over.
The Path for Schumacher Seems to Be Paved in Spielberg
The way for Schumacher seems to be further paved in Spielberg. Mother Corinna (pictured with Briatore) rarely visits a Grand Prix anymore, but she is prominently and radiantly present at the Red Bull Ring. Coincidence? Of course not. The lobby for Mick is in full swing. And with so many heavyweights on board, it seems impossible to go wrong. I expect a verdict within four weeks.
