Steiner becomes clear

Mick comeback? “… then it will probably never work out”

According to Günther Steiner (left), Mick Schumacher should hurry up with a Formula 1 comeback.(Bild: APA/AFP/ANDREJ ISAKOVIC, ASSOCIATED PRESS)

Günther Steiner has commented on the comeback chances of his former protégé Mick Schumacher. According to the South Tyrolean, the 24-year-old must hurry up with his plans to return to Formula 1. 

"If it doesn't work out next year, it will probably never work out again," Steiner is convinced in an interview with the German newspaper "Bild". With Lewis Hamilton's switch to Ferrari, a cockpit at Mercedes will become vacant at the end of the season. For Mick? At least that's what his uncle Ralf Schumacher hopes. 

Lewis Hamilton switches to Ferrari.(Bild: GEPA pictures)

Changed racing class
However, Mick's job as a test driver for the Silver Arrows has been his only point of contact with motorsport's premier class in recent years; the German is currently competing in the World Endurance Championship for Alpine. 

"Sure, he was there for two years and is part of the new generation - but what use is that? It would be extremely difficult if he was completely out for three years," says Steiner. Schumacher has to use the WEC as a springboard and show what he can do, the 58-year-old makes clear. After all, in addition to the vacant seat at Mercedes, a total of 13 contracts will expire this year - including those of the two Alpine drivers Esteban Ocon and Pierre Gasly.

Schumacher raced for Haas in Formula 1 in 2021 and 2022. Although he scored points for the first time in his second year with twelve points, he was kicked out in the fall of 2022 by then team boss Günther Steiner, of all people. For good?