Toto Wolff claims Mick Schumacher’s WEC stint could ‘help him come back to F1’

Toto Wolff insisted that Alpine's WEC seat was a great opportunity for Mick Schumacher.

Toto Wolff claims Mick Schumacher’s WEC stint could ‘help him come back to F1’

Toto Wolff [L] Mick Schumacher [R] (images via IMAGO)

Mick Schumacher was forced to leave Formula 1 at the end of 2022 after two woeful seasons with Haas. The German driver failed to live up to expectations and took up a reserve role at Mercedes. For 2024, Schumacher would be racing in the World Endurance Championship with Alpine. Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff was convinced that this would benefit the 24-year-old’s F1 prospects.

Wolff insisted that Mick Schumacher remains a talented driver who should be racing at the pinnacle of motorsport. However, the Austrian billionaire admitted that there was no place for the 24-year-old on the present grid. Nevertheless, the Mercedes team boss acknowledged that Schumacher’s Alpine Hypercar seat was a great opportunity for the German driver.

Mick is a good driver and deserves to be in F1. Sadly, there isn’t any place free at present. Mick going into WEC, which is a World Championship with a constructor like Alpine, is a very good opportunity for him.
Toto Wolff said in the Mercedes 2023 F1 season review

The 51-year-old was adamant that Schumacher would have a decent run in the world of endurance racing. Subsequently, Wolff reckoned that the German driver could manage to make his way back to F1 if he has an impressive run in WEC next season. Although, both Mercedes seats are occupied till at least 2025.

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I believe he’s going to do a perfect job and it keeps him sharp racing and possibly help him come back into Formula 1.

Mick Schumacher confident about his Alpine WEC drive for 2024

Mick Schumacher failed to find any full-time drives in F1 for 2024. It was rumored that Toto Wolff tried to persuade Williams team boss James Vowles to sign the German driver. However, Vowles ended up giving a contract extension to Logan Sargeant, shutting the door for Schumacher’s return to the pinnacle of motorsport.

Mick Schumacher and Toto Wolff (image via Motorsportweek)
Mick Schumacher and Toto Wolff (image via Motorsportweek)

The 24-year-old affirmed that he wanted to go racing once again after spending a year on the sidelines. Schumacher claimed that the current Hypercar class in WEC was not a sidestep from F1. The series is currently witnessing an influx of multiple manufacturers including Alpine, BMW, Porsche, Ferrari, Cadillac, and even Lamborghini.

Certainly, the World Endurance Championship provides the best chance for Mich Schumacher to showcase his worth once again. The former F2 champion would be racing at a well-funded Alpine squad and potentially could fight for wins in the series. Although it remains to be seen if Schumacher manages to deliver in the world of Hypercars.

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