"Subsequently, Schumacher's F1 journey came to an end..."
Mick Schumacher's hope for a permanent spot in Formula 1 next season appears slim. Recently, it seemed that Schumacher's final chance for such a seat had vanished. The Sauber team, set to be controlled by a German automaker in 2025 and transform into an Audi official team after a transition year in 2026, appears to be extending with Valtteri Bottas.
This is disappointing news for Schumacher, who has been yearning for a fresh opportunity since leaving Haas at the start of 2023. It being uncertain if Schumacher will secure a position with the German automaker in Ingolstadt has left Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko perplexed, as he expressed in an interview with RTL/ntv and sport.de. "I think Audi's car next year won't be a winning car. That's meanings: No pressure for Audi or the driver," he remarked, implying Schumacher, and furthered his argument for Schumacher's recruitment. "It would serve as an excellent comparison with Nico Hülkenberg."
Engaging Schumacher had been nearly risk-free, said Marko. "If it doesn't pan out performance-wise, they can swap until 2026," he stated. "I don't know accurately, but if the stance is truly that Valtteri Bottas gets the chance, then it's even more puzzling for me," he emphasized. "I believe that if Schumacher doesn't obtain this seat, then his Formula 1 journey is essentially over," said the 81-year-old.
Marko Offers Guidance for Schumacher
Marko's advice for Schumacher: "Then he should focus on endurance races, where he was quite successful, and do that." Marko was clear: "If he stays in motorsport, then he must find something he enjoys, but where he also has winning possibilities." Schumacher himself has yet to comment on his plans for 2025.
In the meantime, Red Bull has taken on two young German racing talents, Tim Tramnitz and Oliver Goethe, both 19 years old, into their junior program. Could fans anticipate more German drivers in Formula 1 in the foreseeable future, apart from Hülkenberg and possibly Schumacher? "With Tramnitz, whom we took on last year, there were positive results," Marko looked back at Tramnitz's year in Formula 3. Here, the German finished ninth out of 34 drivers and even celebrated his first victory at the end of August in Monza to conclude the junior series.
"He will remain another year in Formula 3 because he's simply not far enough in his preparation for Formula 2 yet," Marko explained the Red Bull junior's plan and added. "But that must be his clear objective." If Tramnitz delivers in 2025 in Formula 3, "then it's on to Formula 2 for him," promised Marko. Regarding Tramnitz's Formula 1 prospects, Marko prophesied: "Based on his current trajectory, performance, and attitude, I believe we have a serious contender in Tramnitz."
Oliver Goethe, reportedly a descendant of Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, is "in a different situation," Marko emphasized. "He doesn't have the meticulous nature of a typical German. He's, as we say, a colorful character," the Red Bull advisor shared about the German-Danish driver who finished two places ahead of Tramnitz in P7 in the Formula 3 season and is now driving in Formula 2 for MP Motorsport until the end of the year due to Williams' signing of Franco Colapinto. "He overtakes well, his weakness is qualifying," Marko assessed. Negotiations are ongoing between Goethe's management and various Formula 2 teams, and it appears Goethe will start in Formula 2 next year, the advisor revealed.
Despite Mick Schumacher's aspirations for a fixed seat in Formula 1 next season with the anticipated Audi team, it seems his chances are dwindling as Valtteri Bottas is set to continue with the Sauber team in its transformation. It's worth noting that Mick Schumacher has shown his prowess in endurance races, a potential avenue for him to explore if his Formula 1 journey does not continue.
