Cadillac has been cautioned about potentially signing Mick Schumacher to race for its new Formula 1 team.
The German racer is among several linked with the new outfit, set to join the grid and race for the first time next year. This addition creates two more coveted race seats, attracting many drivers left without a spot on the grid this year.
Among them is Schumacher, the 26-year-old who is eager to reignite his F1 career. He is the son of legendary driver Michael, who was recently compared with fellow great Lewis Hamilton.
Schumacher’s last stint in the sport was in 2022 when he was dropped by Haas after only two seasons. During that time, he started 43 races but only managed to accumulate 12 points overall, a performance insufficient to persuade team principal Guenther Steiner, who has since left his role, to extend his contract.
Schumacher promptly joined his father’s former Mercedes team as a reserve. Last year, he also signed with Alpine to compete in the World Endurance Championship, where he has already achieved three podium finishes.
He aims to leverage his WEC success to secure a return to F1, where he believes he has unfinished business. He has been notably outspoken about his prospects of securing a seat with Cadillac, who have yet to make a decision regarding their driver lineup.
In a recent interview with Brazilian media, Schumacher revealed that “talks are taking place” with the team, describing the discussions as moving in a “very positive” direction. He stated: “It is an incredible project, a great story. So it is something I feel honoured to be part of, negotiating, and it is a great position to be in.”
Whether Schumacher secures one of those two highly sought-after positions remains uncertain. However, former F1 champion Jacques Villeneuve has expressed his view that Cadillac would be making an error if they select the German driver.
The 1997 championship winner commented: “Mick Schumacher had a hard time when he was at Haas. He has not an experienced driver either. There is no reason to go for him.”
Cadillac is reportedly close to finalizing an agreement with six-time F1 race winner Sergio Perez, who has been absent from the grid this season following his dismissal by Red Bull last December. The other leading candidate for a drive is Mercedes reserve driver Valtteri Bottas, who has claimed 10 F1 victories throughout his career and would represent a superior option according to Villeneuve.
The Canadian added: “Bottas has a lot of experience and he has shown that he can win races. And he has been with an amazing team in Mercedes, so those are good attributes to have. It is hard to judge his Sauber years. I do not think there was any hunger there.”