Mick Schumacher finds new challenge
Mick Schumacher will be driving for Alpine in the World Endurance Championship next year. The 24-year-old will therefore also be behind the wheel at the legendary 24 Hours of Le Mans. However, he can keep his role as a test and replacement driver in Formula 1 with Mercedes.
Mick Schumacher is back at it again. At last. "A new chapter is beginning for me," says Schumacher, full of anticipation for his new job. And: "I can hardly wait to get started." Not as a regular driver in Formula 1, but in the racing classic at Le Mans. Just like his famous father once did. Because: Schumacher is venturing into the World Endurance Championship with Alpine next season.
"I've sorely missed racing this year," says Schumacher, who has spent countless hours in the simulator as a Mercedes replacement driver this year: "It's what I've loved since I was a child and it was sometimes difficult to watch the other drivers on the track." But that's all over now.
"The car is impressive"
Finally the smell of petrol again, finally real racing again with wild wheel-to-wheel duels, finally chasing best times again, finally putting the pedal to the metal again. "The car is impressive," says Schumacher about his new hypercar for the WEC season, the change poses a real challenge for the 24-year-old: "I grew up with formula cars. Driving a car with a closed cockpit and covered wheels is a great opportunity to improve my driving skills."
Of course, Schumacher would have loved to get a regular Formula 1 cockpit, but the German is tackling a new prestige project with the 24 Hours of Le Mans. His father Michael Schumacher drove in the classic race in 1991 - and finished fifth. The son of the record-breaking world champion will also remain in the premier class, with Schumacher continuing as a reserve driver for Lewis Hamilton and George Russell at the ailing top team Mercedes in 2024. This was also confirmed by the Silver Arrows on Wednesday.
Schumacher does not have to start from scratch
However, Schumacher's focus will probably shift to his personal goals in the World Endurance Championship. After a year without racing, the former Formula 2 champion is eager to get behind the wheel of the Alpine hypercar with the A424 registration number. "Endurance racing is a new challenge for me," says Schumacher: "And I am sure that we will experience some great moments together with Alpine next year."
Schumacher does not have to start from scratch. He completed test drives in Jerez in October, and the impressions were positive for both sides. "We were very happy with his performance and the way he dealt with the team. I think he was happy too," said Alpine's team boss Bruno Famin at the start of November on the sidelines of the Mexican Grand Prix. Now the contract has been signed. At last.
Mick Schumacher's new challenge extends beyond Formula 1, as he will also serve as a test and replacement driver for Mercedes in the premier class. (Mick Schumacher, Formula 1, Mercedes AMG)
Despite not securing a regular Formula 1 seat, Mick Schumacher is excited about his new endeavor in the World Endurance Championship with Alpine, where he will drive a hypercar. (Mick Schumacher, World Endurance Championship, Alpine)
Source: www.ntv.de
