Alpine has said it is doing everything it can to retain Mick Schumacher in its lineup for the 2025 FIA WEC.
The German joined the French team this year to race the A424 LMDh #36, alongside Nicolas Lapierre and Matthieu Vaxiviere, but still aspires to return to F1 and has made it clear on several occasions that his priority for 2025 will be at the start of the GPs.
Responding to speculation about his future, Signatech Alpine team principal Philippe Sinault said the French brand is actively talking to the 25-year-old to convince him to stay with the team for a second consecutive season.
“Am I confident? It’s difficult to say. I hope he stays – he told Motorsport.com – We insist and we told him straight away that his staying in the program is a truly fundamental point for us.”
“But I have nothing in hand. Formula 1 is always Formula 1. We have to wait a little longer. I hope that in the short term we will have some news on the matter.”
#36 Alpine Endurance Team Alpine A424: Nicolas Lapierre, Mick Schumacher, Matthieu Vaxiviere, #12 Hertz Team Jota Porsche 963: Will Stevens, Callum Ilott, Norman Nato
Photo by: JEP / Motorsport Images
Alpine itself considered Schumacher for a place in its F1 team next year, while discussing Haas-bound Esteban Ocon’s replacement, but ultimately chose its junior driver Jack Doohan to partner Pierre Gasly.
Alpine Motorsport boss Bruno Famin, who has a management role in both the F1 and WEC programmes, said he was impressed with Schumacher’s performances this year and hopes he continues to be part of the team in 2025.
“I’m very happy with Mick. He did a great job,” Famin told Motorsport.com. “His adaptation to endurance has been incredible, very fast, very good, everyone knows that it’s not easy for a single-seater driver.”
“And especially at the beginning of the year he was very focused on getting a place in Formula 1 and he still is. But if you put that aside, he is very focused on the WEC program. Even in Austin we saw how fast he was in race. I’m very happy with Mick, if we have the opportunity to continue together we will be really happy.”
#36 Alpine Endurance Team Alpine A424: Mick Schumacher, Matthieu Vaxiviere
Photo by: Andreas Beil
The chances of Schumacher returning to F1 in the short term appear slim, with only Sauber having an open seat for 2025.
When asked what Alpine can do to keep him on the team next year, Famin replied: “Be better. It’s not just about what the team can do, but also about his personal choice.”
“We all know that Mick’s number one priority would be to have the chance to return to F1, but we know that there is only one place left; let’s see what we will do, what the final decision will be. For our part, we will be happy if he stays” .
Both Famin and Sinault said they hope Schumacher will extend his relationship with Alpine if he cannot find a way to return to F1 next year.
Sinault also added: “I think we’ve done a good job together. I’m very happy with his performance level, his pace, his commitment, and I think he’s very happy with the work too. If he’s not in F1, we’ll be closer to continuing to work together”.
Schumacher: “The podium in Japan changes nothing”
Schumacher, Lapierre and Vaxiviere finished third in this month’s penultimate round of the season at Fuji, taking the first podium for the Alpine A424.
The result also marked Schumacher’s first podium since 2020 when he was in F2, having never finished higher than sixth in his two years in F1.
But the 25-year-old said his result in Japan will have no bearing on where he races in 2025.
“At the moment we’re just happy with the podium. Whatever happens for the future will be decided at some point within the year, hopefully. As soon as I know what I’m going to do, I’ll definitely put out a press release and let you all know.”
“But definitely the hope is Formula 1, because that’s what I’ve dreamed of since I was a child. But it’s definitely a good feeling to be in the WEC.”
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