Timo Glock can’t understand why one F1 driver is currently on the grid instead of Mick Schumacher

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Germany will have a bigger presence in the Formula 1 paddock next season when Audi make their debut, but the country’s most famous name is still missing from the grid.

Michael Schumacher won seven drivers’ championships, with his brother, Ralf, also a fine driver during his time in the sport.

Races regularly took place at the Nurburgring or Hockenheim, but Germany’s position in F1 has shrunk in recent years, with Mercedes, who are based in Brackley, and Nico Hulkenberg their main representatives.

The last German driver to drop out of Formula 1 was Michael’s son, Mick Schumacher, alongside Sebastian Vettel, who retired in 2022.

Schumacher was an F2 champion, but after his second season at Haas, he was replaced by the aforementioned Hulkenberg.

In the following years, the 26-year-old has been linked with various teams as he looks to return to the F1 grid.

Schumacher was confident of racing for Cadillac in 2026, but they opted for Sergio Perez and Valtteri Bottas instead.

Alpine held an interest in Schumacher for a time, especially as he was a part of the Anglo-French team’s WEC line-up.

However, he was ultimately overlooked for Jack Doohan and then Franco Colapinto, although Timo Glock isn’t sure whether that was the right decision.

READ MORE: Who is Mick Schumacher? All to know about Michael Schumacher’s son

Timo Glock can’t understand why Franco Colapinto is on the grid ahead of Mick Schumacher

Glock was asked on the Backstage Boxengasse Podcast whether he finds it difficult seeing Colapinto at Alpine racing when Schumacher is sitting out after Flavio Briatore rejected him last season, and explained: “No, I find it difficult too, because he brings a certain amount of experience and a clear progression that is easy to see.

“And that’s why he [Briatore] has his reasons. A bit special in that regard.

“Franco Colapinto doesn’t have a foothold, but he brings a lot of financial resources with him, which are of course decisive, but he has his reasons for that, and I think there was a clear conversation between Alpine and Mick, otherwise Mick wouldn’t be moving so clearly in that direction as far as IndyCar is concerned.

“But I don’t find it 100% understandable from my point of view, because, as I said, Mick Schumacher simply has a certain amount of experience with today’s cars.”

READ MORE: Who is Alpine 2025 F1 driver Franco Colapinto? Everything you need to know

Ralf Schumacher backs Mick Schumacher ahead of three current Formula 1 drivers

Schumacher recently took part in an IndyCar test, with his route back to F1 almost certainly permanently shut at this stage.

Only a handful of drivers have ever missed three seasons in a row and returned, and a 2026 seat also looks to be out of reach.

Colapinto looks in good shape to be retained for 2026, despite failing to score a point so far this year.

This has left Ralf Schumacher unimpressed, as he believes three drivers are ‘worse’ than his nephew Mick.

That’s not the opinion of any of the team principals currently on the grid, who would have the opportunity to sign Schumacher if they so wished.

The next German racing talent doesn’t appear to be on the horizon either, with only Red Bull junior Oliver Goethe competing in Formula 2, but he’s a long way down the pecking order compared to Arvid Lindblad and Pepe Marti, with Red Bull considering a move for Alex Dunne that would limit his opportunities even more.