Mick Schumacher receives Sauber F1 boost as talks with two rivals have ‘more than stalled’

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The final piece of the 2025 Formula 1 grid jigsaw puzzle is still a mystery at this late stage of the season.

Although RB haven’t confirmed who will join Yuki Tsunoda yet, Liam Lawson’s promotion to a race seat for the United States Grand Prix is a key indication of the direction that Red Bull want to go in.

That leaves Sauber as the only team who haven’t confirmed both of their drivers for next season.

READ MORE: Everything you need to know about Stake F1 Team Kick Sauber from team principal to Audi future

Nico Hulkenberg’s move from Haas was confirmed nearly six months ago, but since then a conveyor belt of drivers have been linked with signing for the team who will become Audi in 2026, only to be ruled out or accept a deal elsewhere.

Carlos Sainz and Esteban Ocon were both on Sauber’s radar for next year but instead took up positions with Williams and Haas respectively.

A shortlist of four drivers appear to be in contention to join Hulkenberg in 2025.

Valtteri Bottas is seen as the favourite given his experience and the fact that he’s already racing for Sauber.

However, Bottas’s wage demands are causing problems, opening the door to three other drivers.

A report from Blick, however, suggests two of those drivers might be out of the equation.

Gabriel Bortoleto has held talks with Mattia Binotto after taking the lead in the Formula 2 championship, while Franco Colapinto has starred on his unexpected promotion to the F1 grid with Wiliams.

However, it’s said that both drivers are very unlikely to be signed for 2025, which could open the door for the last name on the shortlist: Mick Schumacher.

Binotto has confirmed talks with Schumacher have taken place over the seat as he approaches what’s likely his final chance to break into F1.

Mick Schumacher receives 2025 Sauber seat boost as he looks to return to F1

The report mentions the fact that Binotto confirmed he had held talks with Schumacher over Sauber’s vacant seat.

It’s said that Sauber want a driver with experience but also time on their side, which is a difficult balance to find when you’re the weakest team on the grid and have limited options available to you.

Sauber are open to hiring a young driver even if they appear to be overlooking the rookies in their own academy.

Theo Pourchaire is an F2 champion and Zane Maloney sees no way to earn a promotion from F2 having taken a race seat in Formula E for next year.

However, the report goes on to say that negotiations with Colapinto and Bortoleto’s camps have ‘more than stalled’.

READ MORE: Everything to know about Williams driver Franco Colapinto with praise to stats

While Sauber seem unlikely to be flexible on this, it does mean Schumacher hopes may have received a boost.

The longer Bottas goes on without putting pen to paper, the greater the German’s chances are of an unlikely return to the grid.

James Vowles left devastated by Mick Schumacher comments

Before being linked with the Sauber seat, Schumacher appeared to be one of the favourites to make a return to the grid this season.

Williams ran out of patience with Logan Sargeant during the Dutch Grand Prix and dropped him after an expensive crash in practice led to a disappointing result in the race.

READ MORE: Who is F1 reserve and Alpine WEC star Mick Schumacher? Everything to know

However, team principal James Vowles ruled out a move for Schumacher, suggesting that he was ‘just good’ rather than the ‘special’ driver he needed.

Vowles has since admitted he was devastated with his comments over Schumacher and has since apologised to the German.

Unfortunately, that’s the reputation that Schumacher currently has in the paddock after a difficult two-year stint at Haas.

While a return to F1 is Schumacher’s dream, he may have his work cut out joining a Sauber outfit who haven’t scored a point this season.