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Villeneuve doubts any F1 team would ‘take a risk’ on Schumacher

Jacques Villeneuve sees little chance of Mick Schumacher returning to F1 in 2025, as the young German would represent a “risky” proposition for any team.

Schumacher, who has fulfilled a reserve role in F1 with Mercedes since last season, and who currently races with Alpine's Hypercar team in the WEC, still aspires to return to the fray, presumably with the French outfit which has yet to select Esteban Ocon’s successor and Puerre Gasly's teammate.

But Villeneuve notes a clear lack of enthusiasm for Schumacher’s services, due in large part, he believes, to the 25-year-old’s subdued performances during his two years in F1 with Haas in 2021 and 2022.

“It doesn’t seem like any team wants Mick Schumacher to drive for them," the 1997 F1 World Champion told Instantcasino.com.

"The push has been made by Mick and his team, but no one seems to be jumping to get him on their team.

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"The problem is his years in F1 didn’t conclude in a positive way, he might be doing better and showing promise in the position he’s in, but the evidence is there for everyone to see.

"For teams, it’s worrisome, do they want to take the risk of hoping Mick is better than he was? It doesn’t look like it at the moment.

“If a team does employ Mick as an F1 driver, it’s because they want the Schumacher image and it’s in hope he’s better than he was at Haas.”

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Villeneuve’s former F1 colleague Johnny Herbert is on the same page as the Canadian.

The three-time Grand Prix winner believes that Schumacher’s inability to beat Kevin Magnussen, his teammate at Haas in 2022, is a negative in his career that highlights the challenge he faces in establishing himself as a top driver in Formula 1.

“He is a reserve driver at Mercedes with things not having worked out at Haas,” Herbert told Poker Apps.

“It is damaging for a driver’s career when they are not able to beat your team-mate. Mick couldn’t do that. Mick is not on anyone’s shopping list.”

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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.