Schumacher 'Definitely' Being Considered For Seat In Audi Says Binotto

Monday, 14 October 2024 at 20:00

Mick Schumacher emerged as one of the contenders for the second seat in Sauber (future Audi) after Mattia Binotto confirmed he has been in contact with the 25-year-old.

With six race weekends to go before the end of the 2024 season, almost all F1 teams have already locked in their driver pairings for the next year. Now, only two seats are left: one in VCARB and one in Sauber.

As it stands, it seems VCARB plans to give a chance to drivers coming from their own academy rather than someone from the outside, so Mick Schumacher's only chance is to join Sauber.

In fact, Red Bull's motorsport advisor Helmut Marko recently stated that Mick Schumacher's last chance to join F1 is joining Suaber in 2025.

The 81-year-old also said that if he doesn't manage to get in, the German driver should pursue a career in a different racing series, like the WEC (World Endurance Championship).

When Marko made these statements, it didn't seem like Schumacher was on Sauber's/ Audi's radar. However, the team's COO and CTO, Mattia Binotto, confirmed in an interview with Corriere della Sera that the Swiss-based team is indeed considering the 25-year-old driver.

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"Definitely, we are evaluating it. I met him [Mick Schumacher] and spoke to him, I have known him for a long time having been part of the Ferrari Driver Academy. I know his strengths and weaknesses, he is one of the names we have in mind."

When Binotto was asked when his team plans to announce the name of the driver to race alongside Nico Hulkenberg next year, he replied:

"We can afford the luxury of not rushing, since all the other teams have decided their line-up. Two essential aspects: on the one hand, experience to set the growth path. On the other, a young, talented driver who can accompany us on the path to the top."