Ralf Schumacher says it would be crazy if ‘super-talented’ driver isn’t racing in F1 next season

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Ralf Schumacher has had his say on who he thinks has impressed in the junior categories and deserves to be the new rookie on the grid in 2026.

The current F1 season has seen six rookies make their full-time debuts in the sport, with many of them impressing while up against some very experienced rivals on the grid.

Kimi Antonelli was the first rookie to score a podium finish out of the class of 2025, notching a third-place finish in Montreal. The young Italian also scored a pole position for the Miami Sprint race, but has struggled in recent races to consistently perform.

Isack Hadjar is another bright star from the current new recruits. The Frenchman took a surprise podium at the Dutch GP following the conclusion of the summer break, with Hadjar now being considered by Red Bull to partner Max Verstappen in the upcoming season.

The 2024 Formula 2 champion has also shown his potential in his rookie season with Sauber. Gabriel Bortoleto has caught the eye of many top F1 teams due to his glittering performances in midfield machinery.

READ MORE: Red Bull have now held talks with an ‘absolutely brilliant’ driver about joining their 2026 line-up

Ralf Schumacher thinks McLaren would be ‘crazy’ not to give Alex Dunne a shot in F1

Speaking to Formel1.de, Ralf Schumacher gave his opinion on some of the upcoming drivers from the junior series after fielding a question regarding Mick Schumacher’s chances of returning to the F1 grid.

Upon being asked if he thinks we will see Mick back on the grid, Ralf replied, “I cannot say. I think Formula 1 is a fast-moving business.

“Of course, there are also boys who are super talented, like Alex Dunne. Then we also still have Lindblad. Those are two who I think will make their way to Formula 1.

“Definitely one of them, if McLaren allows it, but they would actually be crazy if they didn’t. But, seats get filled quickly.”

Dunne impressed F1 fans during his debut outing in an official F1 race weekend at the Austrian Grand Prix. The young Irishman was less than a tenth of a second off Oscar Piastri’s time in FP1 as he filled in for Lando Norris.

READ MORE: Four Formula 2 stars who are aiming for a 2026 F1 seat including Max Verstappen’s ‘successor’

Alex Dunne has been tipped by many in the F1 paddock to be the sport’s next star

Dunne has impressed in his debut season in Formula 2 with Rodin Motorsport, currently sitting fifth in the drivers’ championship with two feature race wins under his belt. He’s unfortunate not to have three wins to his name, after a post-race time penalty in Belgium snatched the victory out of his hands.

David Coulthard is determined to see Dunne in F1 one day as he believes he is ready for the step up after a single season in the second-tier. The former F1 driver called the 19-year-old the ‘real deal’ in a recent interview.

Cadillac were also interested in signing Dunne before they secured the services of Sergio Perez and Valtteri Bottas to lead their maiden season in F1. The American brand was debating between the dynamics of their line-up, and floated the idea of pairing a youngster with a veteran.

The Irishman has been a McLaren junior driver since 2024, and the team are open to the idea of potentially loaning him out to another team on the grid to gain some race experience. Alpine could be an option for Dunne, with the Enstone-based team looking for alternatives to Franco Colapinto.