Helmut Marko advises Mick Schumacher to give up on F1 dream if he doesn’t get Audi’s seat for 2026
Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko has urged Mick Schumacher to abandon his F1 dreams if Audi does not offer him a seat.
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Helmut Marko Mick Schumacher Audi f1 show car ( images via IMAGO)
Former Haas driver Mick Schumacher has been sidelined for the 2023 and 2024 seasons. The 25-year-old has been serving as a reserve driver for Mercedes and recently joined Alpine to compete in the World Endurance Championship. However, he’s actively seeking a return in Formula 1 believing he has the skills to rejoin the F1 grid.
Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko has stated that if Mick Schumacher doesn’t get a seat next year he should forget his F1 dreams. Schumacher expressed his desire to return to F1, with Audi as his only option for now. The German team has the last undecided seat for 2026 and beyond, sparking speculation about Schumacher potentially filling it. However, reports suggest that Valtteri Bottas has pipped him to that seat.
Speculation also surrounds Sebastian Vettel’s return with Audi, but Helmut Marko stated that Vettel has been out of contact and is not expected to race again. Marko believes a pairing of Schumacher and Nico Hulkenberg would be ideal for Audi. He also suggested that if Schumacher doesn’t prove himself, Audi can consider making a change later.
It would be a good comparison with Nico Hülkenberg, and if his [Schumacher’s] performance isn’t right, you can always make a change for 2026. I think if Schumacher doesn’t get this seat, then Formula 1 history is over for him.
Helmut Marko told Sport.de
Marko said that he would find it difficult to accept Audi picking Bottas to partner with Hulkenberg. The Finn’s highest finish this season was P13 in Monaco and frequently finds himself at the back of the grid. The 81-year-old claimed that hiring Bottas would be a poor choice for the German manufacturer.
Helmut Marko believes Mick Schumacher should race in a league where he has a chance of winning
Mick Schumacher claimed his first victory in the World Endurance Championship in July during the Six Hours of Monza, receiving significant praise for his impressive performance. Helmut Marko encouraged the German driver to continue in this direction if he does not secure a seat at Audi.
He should then concentrate on the long-distance races, where he was very successful, and do that. If he stays in motorsport, then he has to find something that he enjoys, but where he also has a chance of winning.
Helmut Marko stated
With just six races left in the 2024 calendar, the season is coming close to an end. This means Audi will soon announce whether they will hire Bottas or pick Schumacher. With Schumacher and Hulkenberg both being German, it could create a strong synergy and bond in the team.
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Gaurang Kadam
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