After Nico Hulkenberg, the second seat at Sauber (which will become Audi in 2026) could fall into the hands of Schumacher: here’s why Binotto might be the key
Despite expressing doubts about his possible return to Formula 1 a few months ago, Mick Schumacher could soon have a new opportunity in the sport, given Audi’s recent interest. The German driver has been out of F1 for eighteen months; after parting ways with Haas at the end of 2022, Mick’s only experience in the world’s fastest cars has been with Mercedes, where he currently serves as a reserve driver. Additionally, Alpine has signed him for the WEC (World Endurance Championship), although this doesn’t seem to excite him much. This is why Audi’s interest appears to be mutual.
As mentioned earlier, a few months ago, the chances of Schumacher returning to F1 seemed slim. Alpine appears to be focusing on Jack Doohan alongside Pierre Gasly, and Mercedes never fully believed that the German driver could replace the departing Lewis Hamilton (Kimi Antonelli seems almost certain to take that spot). However, with the arrival of Mattia Binotto, the four-ring team (Audi) is now opening doors and exploring scenarios that seemed impossible before.
Sauber, which will become Audi F1 Team in 2026, now seems like the most accessible seat for Michael Schumacher’s son. The other names linked to the current Stake Kick F1 Team have fallen through one by one: Esteban Ocon chose Haas, Carlos Sainz opted for Williams, and Zane Maloney (from the Sauber Academy) failed to maintain his stellar form at the start of the year.
The last name on the list seemed to be Gabriel Bortoleto, a McLaren academy graduate who was recently linked to Sauber, although there doesn’t appear to be more than intense dialogue between the parties.
Schumacher-Audi Could Happen: Binotto Is the Key
According to Auto-Motor-Und-Sport, the hottest option now seems to be Mick Schumacher. But why has the German suddenly entered the list of candidates? The game changer is the new Chief Technical Officer, Mattia Binotto, who was with Ferrari from 1995 to 2022. The Lausanne native is reportedly eyeing the Kaiser’s son for the team’s second seat, and his inclination seems to favor the German.
However, the doors remain open (although confirmation seems complicated) for both Valtteri Bottas and Guanyu Zhou. Both current drivers have not performed as expected in 2024, with Sauber currently the only team without any points in the standings. What might hinder Mick Schumacher’s chances of securing the seat is his contractual situation: without a place in the current championship, it’s difficult for the 25-year-old to convince teams without on-track performances. Meanwhile, Gabriel Bortoleto could make his case with a strong showing in the Formula 2 championship.
Photo: Mick Schumacher
