AlphaTauri CEO refuses to rule out hiring 24-year-old in ‘difficult situation’ right now

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AlphaTauri CEO Peter Bayer has said he can’t rule out a move for Mick Schumacher in the future but admits that the Red Bull group already have plenty of young drivers to consider if a seat becomes available.

After losing his seat at Haas, the young German joined Mercedes as a reserve driver and will part in the 2024 World Endurance Championship after failing to return to the grid this year.

Speaking to Motorsport-Magazin, AlphaTauri chief Peter Bayer admits that while he knows the Schumacher family well, he’s not sure the 24-year-old is at the front of the queue to earn a seat within the Red Bull group.

Although there were no driver movements over the winter, AlphaTauri still found time in 2023 to make a switch in their line-up.

Daniel Ricciardo came in to replace Nyck de Vries before Liam Lawson was drafted in after the Australian broke his hand in Zandvoort.

The 2024 season is going to see a huge amount of speculation surrounding Sergio Perez’s future.

Ricciardo and Yuki Tsunoda will both hope the Red Bull group promote from within if the Mexican moves on.

It means Bayer could have a seat to fill at AlphaTauri and he’s refused to rule out Mick Schumacher as a potential option.

The 24-year-old will have to impress in the WEC to be considered for the job and somehow convince them that he’s better than any of the options in the Red Bull group.

Bayer doesn’t rule out AlphaTauri move for Schumacher

Speaking about the prospect of hiring Schumacher, Bayer said: “Sabine and I have known each other for many years because of the mentorship I enjoyed from Jean Todt.

“That’s how I know the family. I think Mick [Schumacher] is in a difficult situation at the moment because these decisions are being made very quickly.

“Each driver is assigned to a certain plan. Mick was first a Ferrari driver, now on paper he is a Mercedes driver.

“You always have to keep this dynamic in mind. We currently have a large pool of young talent that we are monitoring.

“Liam Lawson is also here, working and trying to understand the processes. I think our focus is certainly on our own talent pool, but you never know in this sport.

“What is important for us in the end is sporting success. That’s the point. You have to try to find the perfect balance.

“If Daniel [Ricciardo] hadn’t set the times in the test at Silverstone, then he wouldn’t be in the car. I can say that quite openly today. I think that’s exactly where the challenge lies for Mick. How can he prove he has the speed?”

It’s hard to see a situation where Bayer brings in Schumacher at Alphatauri when Liam Lawson is waiting in the wings.

The Kiwi was sensational during his five-race cameo in 2023 and will be desperate to return to the grid soon.

Right now, Lawson appears to be the best prospect that’s not currently on the grid and given how much change there’s likely to be in the driver market in 2024, he could be a wanted man outside of the Red Bull group.

It could force Red Bull to make an early decision on Perez and therefore Ricciardo and Tsunoda to avoid losing Lawson, but if the Kiwi is signed by another team, then Schumacher could suddenly be under consideration.