Mick Schumacher could potentially be in line for a 2024 drive with the Sauber team ahead of its future transition into Audi, Formula 1 journalist Joe Saward has revealed.
Schumacher was dropped by Haas at the end of last year after only two seasons in favour of compatriot Nico Hulkenberg.
Unable to find a place elsewhere on the grid for 2023, the German was swiftly snapped up by Mercedes to become its reserve driver.
Whilst he has expressed hope of making a return next year, Schumacher admitted last month that his options are running out with only five seats left to be confirmed.
“I’m still working on it… Time is running out a bit, but in the end, I have to take my time,” he told Sky Germany.
However, Schumacher has repeatedly been linked with a move to the Sauber-owned side amid its impending takeover by Audi in time for the 2026 regulation overhaul.
Although they have asserted it’s not a priority, the Volkswagen Group have discussed the possibility of a German driver representing the German manufacturer in F1.
Although Valtteri Bottas is assured of his place with Sauber next year, the destiny of the Finn’s team-mate for 2024 is undecided.
Current incumbent Zhou Guanyu declared last month that he was less worried than last year about retaining his drive, with Bottas adding he warrants his place.
But Saward reports that the Chinese racer brings a lack of funding, placing his position at risk. Meanwhile, reigning Formula 2 champion Felipe Drugovich has also been linked, but it’s rumoured he also doesn’t possess the necessary backing to entice the Sauber Group to bring him on board.
“The driver market did much as expected with Mercedes and Haas retaining their drivers and Aston Martin not surprising anyone by re-signing Lance Stroll,” Saward said in his Notebook.
“This is bad news for the team’s reserve driver Felipe Drugovich, who has sat out this year hoping for a chance. He cannot sit out another year and so is expected to move to Formula E to keep racing while staying on as the Aston reserve.
“There was talk of him joining Sauber, but he does not want to be viewed as a pay driver and does not have the kind of money the Swiss team wants and so the team needs to go on searching.
“Guanyu Zhou is doing a very decent job and is likely to get better next year, but he does not pay – so he is exposed.”
Therefore, Saward believes the plethora of sponsors Schumacher would bring to the Swiss outfit could make him an attractive proposition.
However, Saward also contends that the lofty ambitions Audi has for its maiden F1 venture may mean it searches for a more established name within the sport.
“The only real option as far as I can see is for the team to try to get some money from Germany for Mick Schumacher, as it is clear that he has no future at Mercedes beyond being a smiling face with a famous name,” he continued.
“Using Schumacher might appeal to the team’s future owner Audi, but one presumes that when the firm does finally arrive in F1 in 2026, it wants to have someone better than Mick.
“The Sauber drive is Schumacher’s only chance in F1, but he might be able to parlay his name into a driver elsewhere in the motorsport world.”
Elsewhere, Saward has confirmed that Williams is likely to retain Logan Sargeant alongside Alex Albon, despite the American struggling during his rookie year.
“Williams may not have announced it yet but the team has no plans to replace Logan Sargeant,” he concluded.
