Mick Schumacher was left visibly frustrated during the Japanese Grand Prix weekend after Austrian TV pundits claimed in front of him that his move to join Alpine’s World Endurance Championship was a done deal.
The 24-year-old has been without a race seat since leaving Haas at the end of his contract in 2022 following two underwhelming seasons under Guenther Steiner’s leadership with the team.
However, after impressing Mercedes bosses during a season as their test and reserve driver, Schumacher looks to have earned himself a new career opportunity outside of open-wheel racing as he prepares for a switch to WEC with Alpine.
The team’s current boss Bruno Famin has confirmed talks between the two parties, stating: “It’s true that we’re talking with Mick about the possibility to race in our endurance programme with the A424. For the time being we’re just talking, and hopefully, we will organise a test.”
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While Famin and Schumacher have remained fairly quiet on the partnership, Austrian broadcaster ORF got ahead of themselves while reporting on the situation from the Japanese Grand Prix paddock creating an awkward scenario live on TV.
Talking to Schumacher about the links, ORF commentator Ernst Hausleitner said: “Mick, now we have to change the category very briefly: Ferdinand [Habsburg, pundit] at my side was completely surprised when I told him that Mick Schumacher would drive the WEC next season. It’s official now!”
The Mercedes driver was visibly surprised and agitated by Hausleitner’s comments replying: “Uh… Officially, nothing is at all.” When probed over when he could reveal the information, Schumacher followed up: “Well, I’ll share that from my side. It will probably take a little more time until then. But of course, I have to look at my options and of course, there are talks.”
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Schumacher had previously hoped to secure a full-time return to the F1 grid for 2024, utilising his Mercedes connections to put pressure on Williams team principal James Vowles regarding the future of their American rookie Logan Sargeant.
Unfortunately for the former Haas man, Vowles was unconvinced by the prospect of signing up Schumacher for next season with the battle for the final Williams seat set to be decided between Sargeant and reigning F2 champion Felipe Drugovich.
As for Schumacher’s long-term future, Alpine represent an opportunity to carve out a career in endurance racing after leaving F1 with the likes of Antonio Giovinazzi, Sebastian Buemi and Jean-Eric Vergne all following that same path before him.
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