Luca di Montezemolo disappointed that ‘perfect’ 24-year-old F1 driver didn’t sign for Ferrari

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Former chairman of Ferrari Luca di Montezemolo has admitted that he wishes Mick Schumacher had signed for the team.

Mick Schumacher was part of Ferrari’s academy as a youngster before making the switch to Mercedes.

In an interview with Gazzetta dello Sport, Di Montezemolo explained that the 24-year-old would have been an ideal reserve driver for Frederic Vasseur’s team.

The surname Schumacher is synonymous with Ferrari in Formula 1 thanks to Mick’s father Michael’s legacy with the team.

Schumacher won his first two World Championships with Benetton before making the switch to Ferrari in 1996.

He went on to win five world titles in a row between 2000 and 2004 before retiring two years later.

Schumacher then came back for three more seasons as Mercedes returned to the grid but didn’t enjoy the same level of success before quitting the sport again in 2012.

Di Montezemolo has now said that he would have loved Schumacher’s son Mick to join Ferrari even if it wasn’t as part of their first-choice line-up.

Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz are contracted until the end of 2024 and while there’s speculation surrounding both of their futures, their seats were never at risk going into this season.

However, plenty of change is expected over the next 12 months heading into 2025 and Schumacher will be hoping he can find a way onto the grid somewhere.

Di Montezemolo wanted Mick Schumacher to sign for Ferrari

Speaking about Mick’s future, Di Montezemolo said: “I was disappointed because Ferrari didn’t take him as their third driver, he would have been perfect. He is a very serious boy, first class like his sister.”

After two disappointing years at Haas, Schumacher was replaced by Nico Hulkenberg and became Mercedes reserve driver.

Having come through the ranks as a Ferrari academy driver, that might have stung for Di Montezemolo especially considering the connection between the Schumacher family and the team.

However, Mick has to do what’s best for his career and next year he’ll be heading into 2024 racing in the World Endurance Championships.

He needs to have a strong year to be considered for a spot back in Formula 1 in the future.

It’s no easy task though and once you’ve lost your place on the grid, only the very best ever earn another chance.