Mick Schumacher has been eyeing a return to F1 since his exit from Haas in 2022. He is looking to put his hat in the ring for a seat at Cadillac in 2026.
The American brand will join the F1 grid next season in time for the 2026 F1 regulations. The team can solely focus their attention on next year’s rules, with teams believing Cadillac have a ‘small head-start’ as the existing 10 teams must develop their 2025 and 2026 cars simultaneously.
Running with Ferrari engines until General Motors bring their own power unit by the end of the decade, Cadillac have the issue of trying to find their first two drivers for 2026.
Several candidates have been linked with the team in recent months as they begin to weigh up their options. Sergio Perez is the clear favourite with his sponsors holding numerous negotiations with Cadillac and F1 fans chanting his name at their launch event at the Miami Grand Prix.
With the Mexican almost certain to take one of the vacant seats, Schumacher is determined to take the other. The German has not been in F1 since he was sacked by Haas three years ago, but Schumacher still has a ‘score to settle’ in the pinnacle of motorsport.
Ralf Schumacher says Cadillac needs someone like Mick Schumacher who ‘doesn’t crash’ – Mika Hakkinen will disagree
Despite the legendary status of his father Michael Schumacher, Mick could not live up to the same hype. In his defence, he was driving underwhelming machinery at Haas for two seasons, but even then, his performances left something to be desired.
The 26-year-old scored just 12 points from 43 Grand Prix with Haas, all of which came in 2022. Schumacher was let go at the end of the season for Nico Hulkenberg, leaving him joining Mercedes as a reserve driver.
Now racing in the World Endurance Championship with Alpine, the German is showing strong performance, with a recent podium at the 6 Hours of Imola. Speaking with Sky Germany, Mick’s uncle Ralf Schumacher says Cadillac needs a driver who ‘doesn’t crash’ and with experience.
“Basically, he’s a driver who has been in Formula 1 and has experience, but also handled situations well. He didn’t have an easy time in Formula 1, but things worked out really well in the end.
“Now the transition to the WEC, where things are also working out very well, which is important. You need a driver with whom you can build something, who doesn’t crash, and who is a team player.”
Ralf Schumacher’s comments about his nephew’s experience are valid, given his time with Haas and as a reserve driver at Mercedes. However, his statements about his accidents may draw disagreement from Mika Hakkinen.
The German suffered several costly incidents with Haas, setting the team back millions in damages and hampering his progression. Hakkinen said Schumacher damaged his reputation among F1 teams because of his crashes, which may explain why he has not found a seat since his exit in 2022.
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Mick Schumacher has missed out on multiple F1 seats since leaving the sport in 2022
Schumacher’s crashes have certainly been a factor in why he has not received the call-up for a race seat. Mercedes was very unlikely for the German while he sat on the sidelines, and he has also been rejected up and down the paddock.
Given his ties to Alpine in WEC, he was linked with the team for 2025 in F1. However, Jack Doohan outpaced Schumacher in private testing, handing him the seat instead.
Schumacher was also linked with Sauber before Mattia Binotto decided to sign Gabriel Bortoleto. Williams were also rumoured to be considering him before they called up Franco Colapinto to replace Logan Sargeant.
With doors closing on the 26-year-old, it seems that Cadillac might be his only option for the 2026 season. But even then, his chances appear slim.
Schumacher is reportedly ‘not a consideration’ for Cadillac as they have their sights set on other candidates. Zhou Guanyu appears ‘best positioned’ to race for the team in 2026, having connections via Ferrari and team principal Graeme Lowdon.
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