“Political reasons,” stopped AlphaTauri from going for Mick Schumacher, says team boss Franz Tost

AlphaTauri's team principal, Franz Tost, is a fan of Mick Schumacher and would've liked him at the team - but a variety of reasons meant it did not happen.

“Political reasons,” stopped AlphaTauri from going for Mick Schumacher, says team boss Franz Tost

Mick Schumacher

After being ousted from Haas, Mick Schumacher has found himself at Mercedes – in a reserve driver role. The decision to replace him with Nico Hulkenberg, while done for Haas’ best interests, remains rather unpopular. The German, partly due to his name, and partly due to everything else (like his persona and skill) remains a popular figure in the sport

Haas took the decision rather late – giving Schumacher’s fans even more cause for grief. It is possible that he could have found a seat on another team, like Williams, who had confirmed their interest in him. But they later seemed to have set their mind on Logan Sargeant and announced him even before he was actually eligible. But there could have been another shot – at AlphaTauri.

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The Red Bull sister team eventually went with Nyck de Vries as a replacement for Pierre Gasly. This happened as they failed to get a super license exemption for Colton Herta. But AlphaTauri boss, Franz Tost, wanted Schumacher instead. The Austrian told RTL: “He was an issue [a topic] for me personally. I would actually have liked to have had Mick in the car.”

There have been some questions asked (mostly on social media) about if Schumacher deserves to be in Formula 1. 2021 was a throwaway year for him and Haas. In 2022, he showed glimpses but could not perform consistently. Mostly, when it mattered, Kevin Magnussen seemed to have the edge over him. But Tost is: “convinced that Mick is talented and that he also has what it takes to drive successfully in Formula 1.”

Read More: “Sometimes one step back is two forwards,” Guenther Steiner gives his two cents on Mick Schumacher’s move to Mercedes

Franz Tost: Mick Schumacher being a ‘Ferrari junior’ was the stumbling block

Mick Schumacher
Mick Schumacher

Before his move to Mercedes in a reserve driver capacity, Mick Schumacher also ended his association with Ferrari – he was a part of the Driver Academy since 2019. This doubtless played a part in Haas (a customer team of Ferrari) having ‘access’ to him, and him getting the seat there. And it was this ‘closeness’ with Ferrari that nipped an AlphaTauri move in the bud – at least according to Franz Tost.

The AlphaTauri team principal said: “But then there were other circumstances,” pointing to “political reasons,” because Schumacher was a Ferrari junior. So, changing to Red Bull colors would require Ferrari’s approval. Tost continued: “Then there was never an obligation. But personally I think a lot of him.” He further hopes that Schumacher will learn well at Mercedes, and possibly return to the grid at some point.

This is rather interesting, as like Schumacher with Ferrari, Nyck de Vries was associated with Mercedes – that didn’t stop Red Bull.. In any case, the German has now left Ferrari, so a window is still open. But going to AlphaTauri is rather unlikely, as it mostly serves as a sister ‘development’ team for Red Bull. Even de Vries is unlikely to stay there ‘forever’ or build a legacy there – and there is a threat of him being replaced by a Red Bull junior. But Schumacher could have chances elsewhere in 2024: It’s too early to say now.

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