Mick Schumacher is unlikely to return to F1 with the Audi F1 team as Mattia Binotto seems uninterested in the German driver

The Audi F1 team is returning to Formula 1 in 2026 and they are in the hunt for a driver alongside Nico Hulkenberg. The team principal Mattia Binotto has been assigned the role of chief operating officer and chief technical officer of Sauber Motorsport which will be renamed in 2026 as Audi. 

Many F1 drivers' names like Sebastian Vettel, Mick Schumacher, and Valtteri Bottas have been circulating as Audi chief, Binotto is looking for a second driver. Mick Schumacher was one driver that the German brand considered. 

Schumi jr's Dream retrun Shattered

Everyone thought Audi would go for a German team with two German drivers driving for them in 2026. However, the team principal Mattia Binotto seems uninterested in the 25-year-old German. Mattia has a very close relationship with former Ferrari driver and World champion Michael Schumacher.

But now, considering the situation, he decided against going with the German driver and is looking for someone else. Mick was dropped by Haas at the end of the 2022 season. He didn't have a good ride with Haas as he crashed more times than finishing in the top ten. 

He hoped to come back with Mercedes, Alpine, Williams, and Audi. But the last door for a driver seat now seems to be closed as he should look for a Plan B. Mercedes, Alpine, and Williams all confirmed their 2025 lineup. This is a big blow for Schumacher jr as he hoped to return to F1 after a big gap.

He said, “There will be a decision in September. So we have to wait and see what happens. Formula 1 is the big goal, it always was and always will be. That's why everything else has to stand still for now. The options that exist alongside it have to wait.”

There are several rumors that Audi will continue to run with Valtteri Bottas, who is currently driving for the Sauber F1 team. The Finn will be given a 1-year contract extension where he will have the time to prove himself. But Bottas himself called this news fake during the singapore GP. He said, “One-year contract is not my goal here, but we’ll see more next week. Lets keep a cool head.” 

Also Read: 'I didn't enjoy that' - Liam Lawson on Daniel Ricciardo's Singapore exit