Schumacher: Mercedes F1 role excluded move to IndyCar or Japan

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Mick Schumacher says his move to the World Endurance Championship with Alpine this season was his only reasonable option given the incompatibilities of racing in IndyCar or in Japan with his Mercedes reserve driver obligations in F1.

Schumacher will return to full-time racing this year, having been signed up by Alpine to complete its factory LMDh line-up in the WEC.

However, the 24-year-old is keeping a foot in the door of Formula 1 – having left the series at the end of the 2022 season – thanks to Mercedes.

Schumacher says he considered several alternatives to the WEC when he weighed his opportunities for 2024, including a move to the NTT IndyCar Series in America or to the Japanese Super Formula series.

Read also: Alpine WEC's F1 links 'an interesting factor' for Schumacher

However, both championships were excluded on the basis of his Mercedes F1 contract taking precedence.

“For [Mercedes], it was very important for me to be back on a race grid and keep that race-craft up to date," Schumacher said last month.

"To be fair, you always think about what's out there, what are the options, and you kind of try and make a pro and contrary list.

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"For me, personally, WEC was the one with the least contraries and the most pros, and in the end, it was pretty easy for me to decide that was the challenge I wanted to take.

"I [considered going to Japan] and also considered going west [to IndyCar], but the thing is, if you do that, there's little chance of doing a dual program [with F1]."

Four rounds of the WEC clash with F1 – Shanghai, Monza, Baku and Interlagos – but Mercedes will have the right to call upon Schumacher’s services if circumstances justify such a course of action.

This means that Alpine would be required to find a qualifying substitute to fill in for Schumacher.

“The contract is clear," said Alpine vice-president Bruno Famin Famin.

“The agreement with Mick is clear, if he has the opportunity to drive in Formula 1 to replace George or Lewis, he will go to Formula 1.

“A reserve driver will be known in due time. We will have one. From among the Alpine Endurance family if we have a problem, we will find easily a reserve driver.”

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Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.