Mick Schumacher set to lose out on 2025 Sauber seat as Mattia Binotto makes his decision

Follow us on Google Discover

Mick Schumacher has been desperately trying to return to Formula 1 after he suffered a difficult time with Haas.

The son of seven-time champion Michael Schumacher, Mick Schumacher signed for the American team after winning the 2020 Formula 2 Championship as part of a new driver line-up alongside Nikita Mazepin.

In his two years with the team, the German only scored 12 points before he was sacked by Haas to make way for the experienced Nico Hulkenberg.

Since then, Schumacher has been trying to get another chance in F1, serving as Mercedes and McLaren’s reserve driver. The 25-year-old has been competing in WEC with Alpine this season as he waits for a door to open in F1.

Schumacher was snubbed for the Alpine seat in favour of Jack Doohan, with the Aussie linking up with Pierre Gasly. The German had also been linked with replacing Logan Sargeant at Williams, but Franco Colapinto would get the call to step up from F2.

Mattia Binotto has ‘decided against’ Mick Schumacher and gone for Valtteri Bottas

With RB confirming Liam Lawson as Daniel Ricciardo’s replacement for the rest of this year with a view toward next, Sauber are effectively the only team yet to confirm their second driver for 2025.

The Swiss outfit, who will become Audi in 2026, are searching for Nico Hulkenberg’s teammate, with several drivers being mentioned in the running for the second seat. James Vowles confirmed talks with Audi for Colapinto over a potential two-year loan deal.

Gabriel Bortoleto is under consideration after his performances in F2, while Bernie Ecclestone has called for Schumacher to get another chance in F1 as he too has been linked with the Sauber seat.

However, according to a report from Bild, Schumacher will ‘not get a permanent cockpit in a Formula 1 car in 2025’.

Valtteri Bottas has been the favourite to retain his seat at Sauber, and Mattia Binotto has reportedly ‘decided against’ Schumacher and opted to keep Bottas with the team for next season.

Sauber are having a torrid 2024 season

Sauber are still yet to score a point after 18 races in 2024, as Bottas and Zhou Guanyu have desperately struggled with underperforming machinery.

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

Their form will present a huge concern for Audi for when they join the sport. With not much expected to change in 2025 for Sauber, the German manufacturer will have a lot of work to do to get up the field, if that was not already apparent.

The signing of Hulkenberg is a good addition to the project, given his impressive performances with Haas this year. The 37-year-old is currently sat 10th in the drivers’ standings with 24 points.

Bottas is still an able driver and offers a bit of continuity for Sauber if they do in fact choose to retain him for 2025. The Finn is also a 10-time Grand Prix winner from his time at Mercedes, which also yielded 58 podiums and 20 pole positions.

Whatever the case, it is clear the team is in dire need of good fortunes before the 2026 regulations come into effect.