Mick Schumacher (GER) Mercedes AMG F1 Reserve Driver. 03.09.2023. Formula 1 World Championship, Rd 15, Italian Grand Prix, Monza, Italy, Race Day. – www.xpbimages.com, EMail: [email protected] © Copyright: Staley / XPB Images
Vice President of Alpine Motorsports Bruno Famin says the possibility of Mick Schumacher racing for its endurance outfit in 2024 would be “a good opportunity for both parties.”
Rumours have developed in recent weeks regarding Schumacher suiting up in Alpine colours as the team prepares to enter the premier Hypercar category in the 2024 FIA World Endurance Championship with its A424 LMDh machine.
When the possibility of the German teaming up with the French marque was put to him on Friday, Famin admitted talks are ongoing with Schumacher.
“It’s true that we are talking with Mick about the possibility to race in our endurance programme with the A424,” he said.
“It would be a good opportunity for both parties, I think but for the time being we are just talking and hopefully we will organise a test soon.”
Bruno Famin (FRA) Alpine Motorsports Vice President. 22.09.2023. Formula 1 World Championship, Rd 17, Japanese Grand Prix, Suzuka, Japan, Practice Day. – www.xpbimages.com, EMail: [email protected] © Copyright: Moy / XPB Images
Schumacher has spent 2023 on the sidelines as Mercedes’ test and reserve driver following the end of a two-year stint racing for Haas in F1.
With the 2024 F1 grid all but wrapped up, the only seat realistically still up for grabs is alongside Alex Albon at Williams.
Currently, Logan Sargeant occupies the second seat at the Grove-based outfit, but the rookie American has struggled for consistency and is still yet to score his first points in F1.
However, he has received backing from Williams Team Principal James Vowles, who has expressed that Sargeant remains his primary choice for the vacant position.
Even if Sargeant were to find himself out of the running at Williams, Schumacher would still be competing with several other names all trying to get their chance in F1.
Therefore, it makes sense for him to seek out competitive opportunities in other classes and next year’s Hypercar field in WEC is going to be hotly contested.
Alpine will be going up against the might of Toyota, Ferrari, Porsche, Cadillac and Peugeot, plus fellow WEC Hypercar newcomers BMW, Lamborghini and Isotta Fraschini.
If F1 is to remain a closed door to Schumacher, he’d be foolish not to take up a chance in a factory-backed effort at the top of Sportscar racing, a route his father Michael took with Sauber and Mercedes before embarking upon his F1 debut with Jordan.
Should Schumacher sign up with Alpine to race the A424, Mercedes Team Principal Toto Wolff has confirmed via Motorsport.com that he can remain associated with the German outfit.
“Whatever programme he does decide, he can stay, if it is possible from the other side, with us as a reserve driver,” Wolff declared.
Keyword: Schumacher Alpine WEC venture ‘good opportunity for both parties’