Mick Schumacher still hopes to make his return to Formula 1. After being passed over by the eleventh team, Cadillac – the American team prefers experience, choosing Sergio Pérez and Valtteri Bottas – the German driver is now trying to find his way back via IndyCar. A bad idea, according to Bottas, who, along with Nico Hülkenberg, is advising Schumacher.
Mick Schumacher has been working on a return to Formula 1 since his departure from Haas at the end of 2022. The son of seven-time world champion Michael Schumacher was let go due to disappointing performances – the German only scored valuable points for the American team during the Grand Prix of Great Britain and Austria. Veteran Nico Hülkenberg replaced the driver in 2023.
After spending some time as a reserve driver for Mercedes, the young Schumacher also failed to secure a seat with the eleventh team, Cadillac. The American racing team decided to go for experience, deploying multiple Grand Prix winners Sergio Pérez and Valtteri Bottas in the 2026 challenger. Therefore, Schumacher is now trying to find his way back to Formula 1 via the IndyCar series. The driver will participate in a test in the American racing class this coming weekend.
Advice from Hülkenberg and Bottas
Nico Hülkenberg advises his compatriot on how he can still make it back to the premier class. The current Sauber driver himself returned to Formula 1 in 2023. “It’s important to make yourself seen. To engrave your name in the memory of those who make the decisions,” Hülkenberg tells Auto Motor und Sport. “You have to show that you can do something.”
Valtteri Bottas, who after a year on the sidelines at Mercedes is now preparing for his debut with Cadillac, thinks Schumacher is making a wrong choice with the IndyCar test. “I’m not sure if it’s the right decision to switch to the IndyCar series,” the Finn doubts. “People quickly get the impression that you’re taking a different path. I would rather stay in the WEC (World Endurance Championship) and simultaneously look for an F1 role.”
