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Fight for Alpine seats intensifies: This ex-F1 driver shows interest
- Ludo van Denderen
Suddenly there is somewhat slight panic in Alpine's hospitality unit. The French team's spokeswoman immediately steps forward and whispers something in Mick Schumacher's ear. Unintelligible, through the noise of the racing cars around the Spa-Francorchamps circuit. Schumacher nods after the press lady's words and then replies. The cause of all the commotion? A question from GPblog about the German's future at Alpine.
Mick Schumacher (25) has never made a secret of wanting very much to make his return to Formula 1. After two seasons' adventure with modest Haas F1 - in which Schumacher seemed to be constantly under fire from his then team boss Günther Steiner - the son of legend Michael has had to make do with a role as a test and reserve driver at Mercedes for a year and a half now. He has also been racing since the start of this season; in the WEC with the ambitious Alpine.
Schumacher wants to return to Formula 1
Precisely this weekend - while Schumacher is active with Alpine at the 6 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps - reports emerged via German media that the driver would be in the picture for the French's F1 team. It is claimed that current drivers, Esteban Ocon and Pierre Gasly, have had their fill of Alpine and are considering seeking refuge elsewhere after their contracts expire at the end of '24. According to German media, 1+1 is then 2: this would open up opportunities for Schumacher to move on to Alpine in Formula 1 in '25.
After qualifying for the WEC race, in which Schumacher started 11th, there was a moment for the media to exchange views with the German and ask the logical question: 'Is there a possibility of moving on from the WEC team to the F1 team?' After the spokeswoman's brief intervention, Schumacher said, "I get told it's not a subject [that I can talk about]. Personally, I keep an eye on it, but I cannot say more than that."
This article was written in collaboration with Olly Darcy.