Michael Schumacher’s son Mick’s Formula One career ‘looks to be OVER’ at 25, as team make ‘incomprehensible’ decision to pick struggling veteran ahead of him
Michael Schumacher’s son, Mick, could be set for an agonising end to his Formula One career after not being given a seat for next season, according to reports.
The 25-year-old has been attempting to follow in his father’s legendary racing footsteps having come through the ranks of the junior adaptations before joining Ferrari’s driver academy in 2019.
However, despite success in F2 and F3 formats, Schumacher struggled when he moved into the professional senior ranks with Haas where he raced for two seasons, finishing 19th and 16th before being let go.
The aspiring talent has been part of AMG Mercedes team this season as a reserve driver and was tipped for a permanent seat at Audi’s new team next year, but that now looks to be off, as reported by BILD.
Away from the track, Schumacher is part of a close family network that has kept dad, Michael’s, personal life away from the private eye since he suffered a horror skiing accident 11 years ago alongside Mick.
Michael Schumacher’s son, Mick (pictured), could be set for an agonising end to his Formula One career
Mick – pictured with mum Corinna (left) and dad Michael (right) – has been raised in the racing world
Away from the track, Mick is in a serious relationship with his model girlfriend Laila Hasanovic
Schumacher spent two seasons racing for Haas before being released from his seat
The F1 legend won a record-breaking seven driver championship titles during an illustrious career in one of the world’s most dangerous sports, but has been receiving around-the-clock care ever since his accident.
Schumacher Snr is believed to have recently broke cover to attend his daughter’s wedding that was held at the family’s £27m mansion in Majorca with Mick also in attendance.
However, despite having so much going on away from the track, Mick was hoping to return to a main F1 birth next year with Audi during their debut season in the sport only for new boss Mattia Binotto to favour recruiting veteran Valtterri Bottas instead.
Bottas – who previously helped Lewis Hamilton to several world titles at Mercedes – is believed to be wanted by Audi to partner Nico Hulkenberg despite failing to win a single point with Sauber and sitting bottom of the current F1 standings.
Red Bull team advisor Helmut Marko has been outspoken on the issue and believes Schumacher would be the better choice, stating: ‘I think Audi’s car will certainly not be a winning car next year. There would have been no pressure for Audi or for the driver. There would be a good comparison with Nico Hulkenberg.
‘If it is really the case that Valtteri Bottas gets the chance, then the whole thing is even more incomprehensible to me.
Mick could be set to leave racing if he doesn’t get a permanent seat with a team next season
Valtteri Bottas (left) has been tipped to get a seat at Audi next season ahead of Mick (right)
Red Bull team advisor Helmut Marko (pictured) believes Mick’s career could be over if he doesn’t get a seat next year
Schumacher is currently working as a reserve driver for the Mercedes AMG team this season
‘I think if Schumacher doesn’t get this seat, then the Formula 1 story is over for him.’
If he does decide to turn his back on the sport then Mick will be supported by the blossoming romance he shared with model Laila Hasanovic who is believed to be one of the few people outside the family allowed access to stricken Michael.
Mick, 25 and Bosnian-born Laila have been together for 18 months, and, according to German newspaper Bild, she is the only one of his girlfriends who has ever been allowed to visit Michael.
Bild says the family are ‘smitten’ with the model, who is regularly included in their family plans and was photographed with Michael’s wife Corinna at the FIA World Endurance Championship in Qatar in March.
