Fresh hope for Mick Schumacher as ‘low-risk’ F1 return option emerges

Mick Schumacher’s name is increasingly cropping up in conversations over Audi’s F1 2025 driver line-up, it has been claimed.

Audi, who will take over the existing Sauber team in time for F1’s new regulations in 2026, are still searching for a team-mate for Nico Hulkenberg for next season.

Mick Schumacher to return in all-German Audi F1 2025 lineup?
The German manufacturer had made no secret of their desire to sign outgoing Ferrari driver Carlos Sainz, who announced last month that he will join Williams for F1 2025.

That blow came after Audi saw second-choice option Esteban Ocon swap Alpine for Haas next season, forcing Sauber to consider alternatives to partner Hulkenberg.

Audi has announced a number of high-level management changes over recent weeks, with former Ferrari team principal Mattia Binotto appointed to the dual role of chief operating and technical officer.

Binotto has effectively replaced ex-McLaren boss Andreas Seidl, who was dismissed along with Audi chairman Oliver Hoffmann after persistent rumours of a power struggle between the pair.

Audi has also appointed Jonathan Wheatley to the position of team principal, with the current Red Bull sporting director set to begin his new role in July 2025 at the latest.

A report by German publication Auto Motor und Sport has claimed that Binotto’s arrival could see Schumacher being handed an unexpected F1 reprieve, with the 25-year-old “mentioned more frequently” in discussions over Audi’s F1 2025 driver pairing.