Former F1 team boss Franz Tost has publicly supported Mick Schumacher's push for a return to the top of motorsport. Schumacher, the son of seven-time World Champion Michael Schumacher, had been a contender for the seat at Alpine but lost out to Jack Doohan.
Just one more chance remains for the 25-year-old. He will be hoping to get a seat with Audi. They are yet to confirm who will partner Nico Hulkenberg. Mattia Binotto is currently deciding whether to go with experience or youth. GPblog reported earlier this week that F2 driver Gabriel Bortoleto is at the top of Audi's wish list, with Valtteri Bottas also a serious contender. Instead, Tost supports Schumacher, who has been out of Formula 1 since he left Haas at the conclusion of the 2022 season.
Why Schumacher deserves a seat with Audi in Formula 1
"He has performed very well in the past. He won the Formula 3 championship, he won the Formula 2 championship, he won a lot of races there," Tost stated to the German branch of Sky. After two seasons at Haas F1, he was replaced by Kevin Magnussen. He couldn't find a seat on the F1 grid, but he became a reserve driver for Mercedes.
Schumacher has also been involved in WEC with Alpine, but his ideal scenario is to return to Formula 1. His chances of that are decreasing, but the former AlphaTauri team boss sees potential in the German. Tost previously worked with various young drivers, including Max Verstappen, on their route to Red Bull Racing. He gives a tip to Binotto and the rest of the Audi team.
"I think Mick has the potential to drive successfully in Formula 1, but of course you have to be given the chance," said the Austrian, who can understand why James Vowles at Williams recently chose to appoint Franco Colapinto as Logan Sargeant's replacement for the rest of this season. "Why? Because he is just a junior driver at Williams. We will see what Audi will decide, but I would say Mick deserves a place in Formula 1. Also at Audi."
This article has been created in collaboration with Corwin Kunst
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