Audi has had no solid talks with Mick Schumacher over a future role with the team, asserts its CEO Markus Duesmann.
Schumacher is currently employed as a Mercedes reserve driver, having found refuge in the organisation after he was ousted from Haas at the conclusion of the 2022 campaign.
Schumacher spent two years racing in F1 with the US squad after he emerged from the 2020 Formula 2 series as its champion.
Audi is currently gearing up towards a 2026 entry and will construct its own Power Unit as well as take a majority share in the Sauber-run team on the grid, which is currently Alfa Romeo.
With his German nationality, Schumacher is an obvious target for Audi to pursue – but the team says there have been no meaningful conversations to date.
“We are currently talking to many decision-makers, drivers, team managers,” Duesmann told Der Spiegel.
“There have been no concrete discussions with Mick Schumacher regarding a commitment.
“Of course, German drivers interest us as much as they interest the top of the parent company, but that is not a requirement for us.”
Alfa Romeo will depart F1 at the end of the 2023 season and the team is expected to run as Sauber for two years before Audi’s arrival.
Audi’s F1 project was confirmed last year and it has already set a three-year goal to win races.
Duesmann delivered an ominous warning to Audi’s rivals, highlighting that it has “succeeded” in every motorsport category it has entered to date.
“We are not going into Formula 1 on a whim, we want to show what we can do,” commented Duesmann.
“We have done everything possible to win in all the championships we have participated in. So far, we have always succeeded.
“The Olympic idea of just wanting to be there is not enough for us.”
Discussion about this post