Ralf Schumacher and Nico Rosberg back Mick Schumacher to continue in F1 in 2023

Sam Cooper
Mick Schumacher on the grid before the Austrian GP. Red Bull Ring July 2022.

Mick Schumacher on the grid before the Austrian Grand Prix. Red Bull Ring July 2022.

Mick Schumacher has received a vote of confidence from fellow German former drivers Nico Rosberg and Ralf Schumacher with his future in F1 looking less certain.

The Haas driver has a contract until the end of the 2022 season but with no word on negotiations, it seems the American team may be looking elsewhere.

Schumacher has had his first real test this year as his skills have been compared to those of experienced Kevin Magnussen, whereas last year he was one of two rookies alongside Nikita Mazepin.

The German’s barren run of no points ended at the British Grand Prix, but he has now gone four races without finishing inside the top 10.

When F1’s ‘silly season’ began, Schumacher’s name was often linked to a variety of seats but as the music slows to a stop in F1’s musical chairs, he is running out of options.

The Alpine seat was mooted as a potential destination for him but that now seems to have been taken by Pierre Gasly. In order to fill the AlphaTauri seat set to be vacated by Gasly, Red Bull are working on getting IndyCar driver Colton Herta enough points for his FIA superlicence which would be another door closed for Schumacher.

The only two viable options seemingly left for Schumacher are to stay at Haas or move to Williams, who are rumoured to be looking to replace Nicholas Latifi.

Rosberg has been impressed by the Haas driver’s development and believes he deserves another contract.

“Saturday made me totally happy,” the 2016 World Champion told Sky Sports Germany. “Mick is now under pressure and has to deliver, then he showed such a sensational qualifying (at the Dutch Grand Prix). He dominated Magnussen, so to finish in the top 10 is exactly what he needs.

“The best chance I see is with Haas and Williams for next year. He deserves to keep being on the grid.”

That was an opinion shared by Schumacher’s uncle Ralf, who said it would be an “injustice” to overthrow the superlicence points system in order to give Herta a seat.

“The logical consequence is that especially the American drivers have no chance at all because they don’t have the necessary points,” the 47-year-old said. “If you throw this system overboard, you would be doing an injustice to those who have gone the hard way. You can’t do that.

“Then those cars would be free and rumours continue that Gasly wants to make his French dream come true. Then a cockpit at AlphaTauri would theoretically be free for Mick.

“The most unfortunate role – as always – is played by Guenther [Steiner]. He always manages to demotivate people and he doesn’t value what he has in the team, because he has two good drivers. If I were team manager, I would hold on to both drivers.”