Sauber boss Mattia Binotto has revealed that Mick Schumacher is among the names being “evaluated” for the Audi-owned team’s remaining 2025 Formula 1 position.
Schumacher has reiterated on numerous occasions his desire to return to F1, but he has been unable to land a comeback since Haas dropped him at the end of 2022.
Alpine decided to pick Jack Doohan over Schumacher to complete its 2025 line-up, while Williams overlooked the German when it chose to make a mid-season swap.
But while that appeared to dispel his prospects of an F1 reprieve, Binotto has divulged that Schumacher remains an option that Sauber is considering for next season.
Asked about Schumacher’s F1 chances, Binotto, who worked with him during his tenure at the helm of Ferrari, told Corriere della Sera: “We are definitely evaluating him.
“I met him and spoke to him. I have known him for a long time having been part of the Ferrari Driver Academy.
“I know his strengths and advantages. He is one of the names we have in mind.”
Sauber not in a rush to decide 2025 line-up
Sauber is considering multiple candidates to partner the incoming Nico Hulkenberg, including incumbent Valtteri Bottas and emerging Williams star Franco Colapinto.
Binotto has repeated his stance that the Hinwil-based squad will not be in a rush to make a choice over whether to prioritise experience or go with an upcoming name.
“We can afford the luxury of not rushing, since all the other teams have decided their line-ups,” he explained.
“There are two essential options: on the one hand, experience to set us on the growth path.
“On the other is a young, talented driver who can accompany us on the path to the top.”
Sauber thinking long-term with Audi venture
Meanwhile, the Swiss-Italian engineer has conceded that it must be attentive to the long-term as the much-anticipated Audi venture will take time to produce success.
“We are at the beginning of the climb,” he said. “In front of us there is Everest, and now we can only see the base.
“We are deciding which side to climb, but it is important to establish a path. If we compare ourselves with our opponents, we have about 400 fewer people.
“We need to add to them to be able to compete at the same level: they cannot be found in two days, and not necessarily in F1. Our choice is to invest in young people.”
READ MORE: F1 ‘a priority’ for Mick Schumacher with 2025 seats up for grabs
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