Audi would give their academy duo a ‘slap in the face’ if they sign three-crash driver for 2025

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Audi have two exciting young talents on their books through the Sauber academy, and yet neither of them appear to be in contention for a 2025 seat. It’s been nearly six months since they confirmed the signing of Nico Hulkenberg, but the spot on the other side of the garage is unfilled.

21-year-old Theo Pourchaire won the Formula 2 championship in 2023. He had the advantage of racing in the series for three full years, but he displayed impressive consistency en route to the title with 10 podiums in 26 races.

Pourchaire also boasts French F4 and ADAC F4 titles, as well as a runner-up finish in F3. But this hasn’t opened the F1 door.

Indeed, his career to date consists of just three FP1 sessions, most recently in Abu Dhabi last year. He combined his duties as reserve driver this season with a short-lived stint in IndyCar and an outing in Super Formula.

Pourchaire splits those reserve responsibilities with Zane Maloney, a former British F4 champion and F3 runner-up who has won two races and scored seven podiums in F2 this year. Despite sitting third, Maloney has left the championship with two rounds to go.

He will instead race in Formula E, with the season due to begin in Brazil in December. This suggests he’s effectively given up on graduating to F1 with Sauber.

Mick Schumacher move would infuriate Theo Pourchaire and Zane Maloney at Audi

With Zhou Guanyu destined to become a reserve driver next year, Valtteri Bottas’ name features on Mattia Binotto’s varied list. Audi are also interested in Franco Colapinto, who’s been a revelation since replacing Logan Sargeant at Williams on a short-term deal.

Gabriel Bortoleto is a contender for Sauber too, but McLaren don’t want him to let him go permanently. Audi, who will take over in 2026, may not want to sign a driver whose future they don’t control.

That could boost the prospects of Mick Schumacher. The former Haas driver carries out a reserve role for the Mercedes teams as well as racing for Alpine in the World Endurance Championship, but that’s unlikely to prevent a permanent move.

However, Swiss outlet Blick notes that ‘just the thought’ of Schumacher joining Audi is ‘a slap in the face’ for Pourchaire and Maloney. They would wonder why he’s more deserving of a seat.

Mick Schumacher’s mixed track record in Formula 1 including three crashes

Schumacher has been doing all he can behind the scenes to force his way back onto the F1 grid. He last raced with Haas in 2022 and knows this may be his final realistic chance.

The German decisively beat fellow rookie Nikita Mazepin in 2021 but couldn’t match the far more experienced Kevin Magnussen in his second year. He also racked up extensive repair bills, crashing out three times between November 2021 and May 2022.

He’ll be assuring teams that he’s grown as a driver since and will have the backing of some big names. Mercedes boss Toto Wolff says Schumacher was ‘super’ in an F1 test for Alpine, while McLaren boss Andrea Stella recommended Schumacher to Williams after Sargeant’s exit.

After a season without points – that’s certainly the direction they’re headed – Audi need to restore the excitement around their project. In that regard, signing Schumacher, the premier German driver outside F1, would be a high-risk, high-reward move.