Door Is Still Open”: Mika Hakkinen Hopeful About Mick Schumacher’s Future In Formula 1

As the 2025 Formula 1 season draws near, speculation regarding potential driver pairs is rampant and among the names not to be forgotten is that of Mick Schumacher. Despite never having had a full-time race seat since 2022, two-time world champion Mika Hakkinen has thrown a glimmer of hope the way of the German pilot.

Hakkinen feels the protagonist is still waiting in the wings for Schumacher to return to F1, and leaves the door open for one of the most storied surnames in motorsport to get behind the wheel onto the grid again.

Hard luck and learned a valuable lesson 

Mick Schumacher’s Formula 1 journey has been far from seamless. After showings of brilliance in the lower grades, such as taking the Formula 2 title in 2020, Mick was rewarded with a drive at Haas in 2021. His stint with the American team was beset by problems. A mixture of underperforming machines, expensive crashes, and inconsistent driving ultimately resulted in his departure from Haas at the end of 2022.

Since then, Mick Schumacher has been in close vicinity of the F1 paddock, acting as Mercedes’ reserve driver and racing in endurance events. Although his stint at Haas kept him from displaying his best, most people feel that Mick has the talent and the desire to be handed another opportunity.

Speculation over Schumacher’s potential return to the F1 grid endures, with some teams apparently monitoring his progress. Working alongside Mercedes, he has been able to get a feel for a world-class team that can hone a driver in the development of a car. In the meantime, he has also shown his versatility and racecraft with endurance racing performances. Given a capable legacy to fill and an insatiable appetite to prove himself, Mick’s a viable F1 seat contender once again — provided a good option comes up.

The Mick Schumacher legacy still matters

Apart from the talent, the Schumacher surname is extremely valuable in motor sport. The great career of Michael Schumacher was accompanied by pressure and expectation that now also accompany Mick Schumacher. The teams and sponsors see the commercial worth in returning onto the grid in a Schumacher, and it can be beneficial for Mick when teams seek new names to promote their brands.