In a recent press conference, Esteban Ocon, a driver for Alpine’s F1 team, expressed his support for his close friend and fellow Alpine driver, Mick Schumacher, in his quest to secure a Formula 1 race seat. Ocon, who is managed by Mercedes, shares a connection with Schumacher, who has been serving as the team’s reserve driver since his departure from Haas at the end of 2022. Despite spending a year on the sidelines, Schumacher now finds himself as an Alpine driver in the FIA World Endurance Programme, driving the new A424 LMDh prototype machine. However, with Lewis Hamilton leaving his Mercedes seat for Ferrari in 2025 and many drivers’ contracts expiring, Ocon believes that Schumacher deserves a chance to return to Formula 1. Ocon praised Schumacher’s talent and stated that he is one of the most skilled drivers in the field.
Speculation regarding Hamilton’s replacement at Mercedes has been rampant since his surprising decision to join Ferrari next season. Given their ties to Mercedes, both Ocon and Schumacher have been mentioned as potential candidates to partner with George Russell, who has a contract until 2025. Schumacher acknowledged the ongoing discussions but admitted that he hasn’t given much thought to targeting Hamilton’s seat. Nevertheless, he is closely following the developments in the driver market and believes that there may be opportunities for him in the future. Schumacher expressed his excitement about Formula 1 and the potential doors that may open for him.
Before Schumacher can make a return to Formula 1, he has commitments in the FIA WEC programme with Alpine. After testing the A424 in October, Schumacher felt a renewed passion for racing and expressed his happiness about being a part of the team. He eagerly anticipates what the future holds and is focused on his career in Formula 1.
According to the Source motorsportweek.com