Ralf Schumacher hits out at £1bn F1 team for how Mick Schumacher learned of 2025 snub

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Mick Schumacher now has just three options to return to Formula 1 in 2025 but how he learned about one team rejecting the German has left Ralf Schumacher disappointed.

The field for 2025 is almost complete with only Mercedes, Visa Cash App RB and Sauber still to lock in their line-ups. A space in Brackley became available when Lewis Hamilton agreed a contract with Ferrari, while openings may appear in Faenza and Hinwil as other deals expire.

Daniel Ricciardo is still driving for his future with Visa Cash App RB as the Australian is out of contract after the 2024 Formula 1 season. Likewise, Zhou Guanyu and Valtteri Bottas may be leaving Sauber after this season with their deals for the team becoming Audi in 2026 ending.

Mick Schumacher learned Alpine signed Jack Doohan for 2025 via Instagram

Schumacher has also now confirmed that he is speaking with at least two of Mercedes, Visa Cash App RB and Sauber about a contract for 2025. But his hopes for a return to Formula 1’s grid hit a dent earlier this week when Alpine confirmed Jack Doohan to a race seat for 2025.

Doohan has spent 2024 as Alpine’s reserve driver and will now step up for his debut in F1 as Esteban Ocon’s replacement. Yet Schumacher was also in the mix to join Alpine next season, having impressed their former team principal Bruno Famin with his efforts in WEC this term.

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

It was not to be, though, with Doohan – a member of Alpine’s driver academy – given a seat on next year’s grid instead. But Schumacher has revealed that he only learned Alpine signed Doohan via Instagram, forcing the former Haas driver to look elsewhere for his return to F1.

“At the end of the day, I’m not giving up,” Schumacher told Sky Germany. “There are still two seats open – we have to keep working and keep pushing. For us, it means keep pushing and keep working – hopefully, with a good result at the end of the year.”

Schumacher’s revelation that Mick only learned about Alpine’s decision to promote Doohan through social media angered his uncle, Ralf. The former Jordan racer simply reacted on Sky Germany, ‘That is no way at all’, as a sign of his displeasure at the £1bn-valued Alpine team.

Mick Schumacher’s 2025 hopes likely hinge on changing Audi’s mind

Doohan’s promotion to a full-time race seat at Alpine for next season may leave Schumacher out in the Formula 1 wilderness for a third year. While the 25-year-old is a reserve driver for Mercedes as well as racing for Alpine in WEC, Andrea Kimi Antonelli is likely Hamilton’s heir.

If Red Bull decide that Ricciardo does not deserve another season at Visa Cash App RB, their reserve driver Liam Lawson or academy gem Isack Hadjar should switch to Faenza. Ricciardo could even replace Sergio Perez at Red Bull if his form does not improve before 2024 is over.

So, while Schumacher claims he is speaking with at least two teams, his one option for 2025 is likely to be joining Hulkenberg at Sauber. But Schumacher is not one of Audi’s top options for 2025, even with the appeal of having two German drivers at a soon-to-be German team.