Will Mick Schumacher return to Formula 1 with Sauber/Audi in 2025? According to Mattia Binotto, the German is a candidate for the second cockpit
Mick Schumacher’s hopes of returning to Formula 1 as a regular driver have been renewed. According to Mattia Binotto, Michael Schumacher’s son is a serious candidate for the second cockpit at Sauber/Audi in the 2025 season.
“We are definitely looking at him. He is one of the names we have in mind,” says Binotto in an interview with the Italian newspaper Corriere della Sera. “I have met him and spoken to him,” confirms the Italian.
Binotto, who has been the new strong man in Audi’s Formula One project since August 1, 2024, as Chief Operating and Chief Technical Officer of Sauber Motorsport AG, knows Schumacher well from his time as a Ferrari junior. “I’ve known him for a long time, since I was in the Ferrari Driver Academy,” says Binotto. “I know his strengths and advantages.”
Binotto: I know Schumacher’s strengths and assets
With the signing of Schumacher, Sauber/Audi would have an all-German driver pairing in 2025, after the Swiss team had already signed Nico Hülkenberg in April 2024. Other candidates for the second cockpit in the 2025 season include current Sauber driver Valtteri Bottas and McLaren junior Gabriel Bortoletto, who currently leads the Formula 2 championship.
However, Binotto does not expect a quick decision on the second Sauber/Audi driver. “We can afford the luxury of not rushing into anything because all the other teams have already made their line-ups,“ he says.
”There are two main options: one is experience to get us on the growth path. The other is a young, talented driver who can accompany us on our way to the top,” the Italian outlines the options.
WM title for Audi only realistic in 2030
In the interview, Binotto compares the transformation of the Sauber racing team into an Audi factory team with climbing Mount Everest. “We decide which side we climb, but it is important to find a way,” he says.
“If we compare ourselves to our opponents, we have about 400 people less. We need to increase their numbers to be able to compete at the same level,” explains Binotto. This is a task that cannot be accomplished overnight. And so Binotto also dampens expectations that Audi will be able to fight for victories or world championships in the short term after joining the series in 2026.
“[Jean] Todt came to Maranello in 1993 and the first constructors’ title was in 1999. It was no different for Mercedes,” says Binotto. ‘It will take five to seven years. We expect to be able to fight [for the world title] in 2030.’
