F1: Mick Schumacher Optimistic About Alpine WEC Opportunity as a Pathway to Return to Formula 1

Mick Schumacher, Mercedes' reserve driver, remains optimistic that his WEC (World Endurance Championship) opportunity with Alpine will serve as a springboard back to Formula 1. As Schumacher's two-year stint at Haas was coming to an end, Mercedes offered him a lifeline as a reserve driver in 2022, just three races before the season ended. Although Schumacher was first reluctant to sign with the Silver Arrows because he wanted to race for a team in the 2023 season, he ultimately decided to do so because of the close relationship his family had with the German manufacturer. Aside from his position as a Mercedes reserve driver, he is also taking a shot at WEC, with the hope of eventually making it back to the Formula 1 grid.

F1: Mick Schumacher Compares Move to his Father's Career

In case you didn't know, Michael Schumacher, who is Mick's father, was a sports car racer before making his Jordan debut at Spa in the middle of the 1991 season. As a member of Mercedes' young driver programme, the seven-time world champion took part in the World Sportscar Championship in 1990 and raced in the 24 Hours of Le Mans.

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Mick Schumacher said: "I’m kind of doing it the other way round so why not. I always found there was a lot of coincidences, which kind of seem similar to my dad’s career. But now I am going to sportscars myself so maybe that will be my start back to halfway in the season somewhere in Spa. I think that, obviously, it’s an interesting chapter for my career and to be able to look back at what he's done with the Mercedes junior programme back in 1989, I think it was an interesting factor."

Mick Schumacher aims to secure a spot on the F1 grid in 2025, affording himself the upcoming year to showcase his capabilities once more in WEC. “Unfortunately a lot of the contracts are multi-year deals so there is not really an opening for next year,” Mick added. “So, it’s a bit of a tough spot to be in, but for 2025 there is a lot more openings and we will have to see.”

Schumacher confidently asserts his potential to earn a spot in F1, referencing his championship-winning junior career as strong evidence for his certainty.

WEC: Mick Schumacher and Alpine

As Mick Schumacher prepares to compete in the FIA WEC and the legendary 24 Hours of Le Mans, he will also make his debut in endurance racing. Marking a major turning point in his racing career, 24-year-old Mick will pilot the brand-new Alpine A424 in the Hypercar category.

Having taken his first endurance prototype for a spin in October of last year, Mick Schumacher was prepared for his role as one of six drivers chosen by Alpine to race the Alpine A424 Hypercars in the championship. Following this, Schumacher has worked closely with Alpine, dedicating time to understanding the ins and outs of the endurance machine, which ultimately led to their decision to team up for the next season of endurance racing.

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The Qatar 1812 km, the first race of the 2024 FIA WEC season, will see the competitive debut of the highly anticipated Alpine A424. As the Hypercar's construction draws to a close,  Alpine becomes an intriguing contender, ratcheting up the excitement for the next endurance racing season.