Mick Schumacher is facing a race against time to fulfil his ambition of returning to Formula 1, his uncle Ralf has admitted.
The German has been out of the sport since losing his drive with Haas at the end of 2022, despite some impressive drives sporadically spread over what was his second season.
Schumacher, son of seven-time World Champion Michael, kept his foot in the door with two seasons spent as reserve driver for Mercedes.
But that tenure ended this year, when the German marque re-signed Valtteri Bottas to the team, and placing him in the role.
Schumacher was not empty-handed however, spending a second year with Alpine in its World Endurance Championship squad, and has proved himself well with three podiums.
The 26-year-old was thought to be eyeing a drive with the Cadillac F1 team, and it appeared that close ties were formed.
Schumacher was often sighted in the paddock when Cadillac representatives were present, and was said to be the only driver at its launch event over the weekend of the Miami Grand Prix.
But he was overlooked in favour of Bottas and fellow veteran Sergio Perez, with IndyCar star Colton Herta getting the reserve driver role as he looks to gain a full-time race seat in F1.
In a twist of fate, Schumacher has now has a test with the Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing team, opening up a possibility of a career move across the pond, as Motorsport Week understands that Devlin DeFrancesco’s seat is under threat.
Uncle Ralf has always had his nephew’s back throughout his two seasons and subsequent wilderness period from F1, and still talked up what he had to offer Cadillac.
“Cadillac chose Bottas and Perez because both have won races, worked with top teams and break little to nothing,” he told t-online.
“This is important for a team that wants to gather insights and information quickly.
“The only question is whether both still have the speed. After all, the last years of the two were not exactly particularly strong, to put it kindly.
“I think it’s a bit surprising, because I would have preferred the combination of experience and youth.
“I am convinced that Mick would have given the team something with the racing experience he has from Formula 1 and also his last appearances in the World Endurance Championship.
“Of course, you can say: Nico Hulkenberg has also made it back after a long break…”
Conveyer belt of talent in F2 renders chances of Schumacher F1 return ‘less likely’
Schumacher was rumoured to have had a potential inroad to return to F1 via his WEC employers Alpine, whose Executive Advisor Flavio Briatore helped unearth his father, signing him for the Enstone-based squad – then Benetton – after his debut Grand Prix in 1991.
But with the French marque appearing to have narrowed its options down to Franco Colapinto or Paul Aron, it appears that Schumacher has run into another F1 cul-de-sac.
And with the feeder series to F1 producing considerable talent, Schumacher Sr has realised that his nephew’s pathway back into F1 is starting to narrow.
“He’s been out of Formula 1 for a few years now, you can already say he’s running out of time,” he admitted.
“And you shouldn’t forget, there are already some younger drivers from Formula 2, for example Alex Dunne or Arvid Lindblad, both of whom have a good chance of making it to Formula 1 in the near future.
“It doesn’t get any easier for Mick, it has to be said.”
He added: “Statistically speaking, it’s getting harder and harder for Mick, you have to be honest. The longer he is out, the less likely he is to return.”
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