The F1 narrative for Schumacher has reached its conclusion.
At the moment, there's not much evidence suggesting Mick Schumacher will secure a long-term spot in the upcoming Formula 1 season. Red Bull consultant Helmut Marko examines the situation, expresses his confusion, and provides some guidance for Schumacher.
Schumacher's ambition of re-entering Formula 1 appears doubtful. Recently, it seemed Schumacher might get another permanent seat in motor racing's premier division, but that chance seems to have passed. The Sauber team, which will become a German automaker-owned outfit in 2025 and function as an Audi factory team following a transition year in 2026, has apparently chosen to extend with Valtteri Bottas.
A disappointment for Schumacher, who has been seeking a fresh opportunity since departing Haas at the beginning of 2023. Marko, Red Bull's advisor, couldn't fathom why Audi in Ingolstadt wouldn't offer Schumacher a chance, as he expressed during an interview with RTL/ntv and sport.de. "I think Audi's car next year won't be a race-winner. That means there wouldn't be any pressure on Audi or the driver," he said, referencing Schumacher, and suggested other reasons for involving the 25-year-old. "It would be an interesting comparison with Nico Hülkenberg."
Furthermore, choosing Schumacher would have been almost risk-free. "If it doesn't work out performance-wise, they can always substitute him by 2026," Marko said. "I don't know for sure, but if the rumor is true that Valtteri Bottas gets the opportunity, then it's even more perplexing for me," he stressed. "I believe if Schumacher doesn't get this seat, his Formula 1 career is finished," said the 81-year-old.
Marko's Guidance for Schumacher
Marko's recommendation: "Then he should focus on endurance races, where he's been successful, and do that." For Marko, it's clear: "If he stays in motorsport, he must find something he enjoys and has a chance of winning." Schumacher himself hasn't commented on his plans for 2025 yet.
In the meantime, Red Bull has taken on two young German motorsport prospects, Tim Tramnitz and Oliver Goethe, both 19 years old, in their junior program. Can fans anticipate more German drivers in Formula 1 beyond Hülkenberg and perhaps Schumacher? "With Tramnitz, whom we took under our wing last year, there was a promising season," Marko recalled Tramnitz's year in Formula 3. Here, the German ranked ninth among 34 drivers and even celebrated his first victory at the end of August in Monza, wrapping up the junior series.
"He will stay another year in Formula 3 because he's still not ready for Formula 2," Marko explained the plan for the Red Bull junior and added: "But that must be his goal." If Tramnitz delivers in 2025 in Formula 3, "then it's on to Formula 2 for him," Marko pledged. Looking ahead to the question of Tramnitz's Formula 1 future, Marko forecasted: "Based on his performance so far, his attitude, I believe we have a serious contender here in Tramnitz."
Oliver Goethe, who is said to be a descendant of Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, is "in a different situation," emphasized Marko. "He doesn't have the focused nature of a typical German. He's, in a way, a colorful character," the Red Bull advisor said of the German-Danish driver who finished two spots behind 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 Franco Colapinto. "He overtakes well, his weakness is qualifying," Marko assessed. Negotiations are underway between Goethe's management and various Formula 2 teams, and it appears he will start in Formula 2 next year, according to the advisor.
Despite Red Bull Racing consultant Helmut Marko's disbelief, it seems Audi in Ingolstadt has chosen not to offer Mick Schumacher a chance in Formula 1, opting instead for Valtteri Bottas. Marko, expressing his confusion during an interview, suggested that involving Schumacher in the upcoming season could provide an interesting comparison with Nico Hülkenberg and could be almost risk-free for Audi.
