AlphaTauri CEO pinpoints the biggest hurdle in the way of Mick Schumacher’s F1 return

Hulkenberg replaced Schumacher at Haas despite racing just two races for Aston Martin in 2022.

AlphaTauri CEO pinpoints the biggest hurdle in the way of Mick Schumacher’s F1 return

Mick Schumacher (Credits: PlanetF1)

Mick Schumacher has been off the tracks as reserve driver for Mercedes ever since Haas axed him at the end of their 2022 campaign. The 24-year-old has often expressed his desire to return to F1, but AlphaTauri CEO Peter Bayer believes that a big obstacle still lies in his way.

Schumacher has only been on the track once this season, during a Pirelli tire test in June in Barcelona. According to Bayer, Mercedes need to give Schumacher more time in the W14 for the German to prove his worth to potential new teams for him. “That’s where his challenge lies. How can he prove he is fast? If Toto [Wolff] doesn’t put him in the car once, it will be difficult for Mick,” Bayer was quoted by GPBlog.

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Bayer also drew on Daniel Ricciardo’s return to F1 with AlphaTauri. He said that Schumacher fulfilling more of his testing duties could also contribute in helping him make a return to the track, as Ricciardo’s tire test in Silverstone was a big contributing factor in his return. He said, “If Daniel had not driven such [good] times at Silverstone, he would not be in the car with us now.” 

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Former F1 driver claims karma is hitting back on Kevin Magnussen after ‘destroying’ Mick Schumacher

Kevin Magnussen and Mick Schumacher
Kevin Magnussen and Mick Schumacher (Credits: Speedcafe.com)

Mick Schumacher was fired from Haas at the end of the 2022 season. He was replaced by Nico Hulkenberg as Schumacher struggled throughout the season, finishing three places behind his teammate Kevin Magnussen at 16th position. Former F1 driver Marc Surer has recently claimed that Magnussen is getting a taste of his own medicine as he is now being outperformed by Hulkenberg.

Magnussen currently stands at 18th place with just two points to his name. He is behind Hulkenberg by five places, who sits at 13th with nine points. Surer has said that while Magnussen is a driver at level with Hulkenberg, he lacks a little ‘extra something’, causing him to fall behind his teammate. Surer claims that it will be difficult for Magnussen to stay motivated if Haas doesn’t improve their car.

“Magnussen has destroyed Mick Schumacher’s career in Formula 1, and now Hülkenberg is destroying Magnussen’s. He’s experiencing the same thing that happened to Mick. It’s truly incredible. Magnussen, I expected him to perform at Hülkenberg’s level. He does that in the race, but not in qualifying,” Surer told Formel1.de.

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