It has now been over three years since Mick Schumacher was active as a regular driver for Haas in Formula 1. After working as a reserve driver for Mercedes and for Alpine in the WEC, the son of F1 legend Michael Schumacher is now trying out the IndyCar Series. One last chance to return to the premier motorsport class?
Uncle Ralf emphasized in a “Sky” press conference that the step across the pond was the nail in the coffin for Formula 1 hopes. “With this step, this door is closed,” explained the 50-year-old. However, the renowned motorsport expert Olivier Zwartyes paints a much less dramatic picture.
“He’s been out for three years now. A return to the premier class is becoming increasingly unlikely,” explained the journalist on “Sky Sport”, but also added: “In the past, some drivers have made their way into Formula 1 via the IndyCar Series.” The 26-year-old now has to work hard to make an F1 comeback.
“The world of Formula 1 is a very special one”
According to Zwartyes, “the IndyCar Series could not only be an attractive task for him in 2026, but also be the last chance to get back into Formula 1 via the USA.” Schumacher’s premiere in the IndyCar Series will take place next Sunday (6:00 p.m./Sky) on the street circuit in St. Petersburg in the US state of Florida.
In the past few weeks, Mick Schumacher had become familiar with the new racers and the oval. “I like how the people work here. It’s very authentic,” said Schumacher after the first few months at his racing team Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing (RLL), where he will be racing with the number 47.
The aspiring IndyCar driver had always said that he would not write off Formula 1 yet. “The world of Formula 1 is definitely a very special one, but of course it’s still single-seaters,” he said recently. “I see no reason why a move to the IndyCar Series should close that door.”
