Alpine are enthusiastic about Mick Schumacher’s potential for growth, which will be observed throughout 2024.
Mick Schumacher spent last season as a Mercedes reserve driver, accumulating experience with the team. In a bid to return to the F1 grid, the 24-year-old also held talks across the grid to explore potential openings.
Unfortunately for Schumacher, the doors were closed for 2024. Toto Wolff admitted this some time ago, failing to convince the likes of Williams to offer the former Ferrari junior a seat.
As a result, a deal with Alpine’s WEC team was reached. This agreement serves several purposes, keeping his links to the F1 paddock alive whilst also providing other opportunities.
Spending time as a reserve driver is valuable, but simulator work is no substitute for racing competitively. As a result, Mick Schumacher’s next twelve months will serve as an important test.
At one stage, there were speculative links between the youngster and Alpine in an F1 context.
Following Fernando Alonso’s departure from Enstone, Esteban Ocon named Schumacher as his ideal next teammate. While this preference was never going to dictate Alpine’s selection, it isn’t something to be downplayed.
Mick Schumacher’s experience impresses Alpine
Speaking after signing Schumacher, Alpine’s Bruno Famin explained their decision to sign him:
“He is still a Mercedes reserve driver,” he told dailysportscar.com.
“And he had a very long and good experience of what a top-level Formula 1 team is.
“He has two full seasons with Haas and will bring us some ideas and methodologies to help put the bar higher, for sure.
“Which is what we want.”
It is not uncommon for F1 drivers to find success in other motorsport categories. Antonio Givonazzi is a recent example, winning the 24hrs of LeMans for Ferrari last year. Many other drivers have taken a similar path over the last decade.
Although Mick Schumacher is not guaranteed success, there will certainly be a chance to impress. World Endurance is a highly competitive Championship, so performing well in the series is a good indicator of a driver’s level.
Moreover, keeping links with both Alpine and Mercedes can only be a positive. Toto Wolff will continue to pursue Schumacher’s best interests, whilst the French manufacturer will have direct access to his performance.
Alpine has been clear about why they signed Mick Schumacher, so now he must prove their judgement was correct.
