The Formula 1 driver market is making slow progress in July. Among other things, Alpine is taking its time in the waiting game for Carlos Sainz and is using the opportunity to evaluate numerous other options in the long term. Among them is Mick Schumacher. His mood has noticeably improved after recent tests in F1 material. He has now completed 2024 drives for three F1 teams.
After Schumacher had already completed several test runs in old Mercedes models in his role as Mercedes reserve driver, he was also allowed to drive for Alpine in July. He works for them in the World Endurance Championship as a works driver. On top of that, he was given the chance to get into a McLaren last week.

However, Schumacher only drove one official Pirelli tire test for McLaren on the Tuesday after the Silverstone weekend. He completed 53 laps on a rainy day, which was just to test changes to the intermediate tire for the tire manufacturer. This had nothing to do with a 2025 cockpit; Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri are set. Rather, Schumacher is also a Mercedes reserve driver for McLaren in case of an emergency. Elsewhere, however, he reckons he has a good chance.
Schumacher mood good: What’s going on at Alpine?
The issue here is still the second cockpit at Alpine alongside Pierre Gasly, whose contract has been extended for the long term. Elsewhere, such as on the Mercedes side, there has been no interest since the start of the season. “My chances in Formula 1 seem pretty good so far,” Schumacher himself said, at least to AFP. “At the moment, Formula 1 is within reach.”
Schumacher, who has been on the F1 bench since 2023, used the sports car connection to get himself back into the game at Alpine. Before the weekend in Great Britain, this culminated in a test with the two-year-old Alpine A522 on the Circuit Paul Ricard. But not alone. Before he jumped into the car, Alpine junior Jack Doohan also received an evaluation program.

Those involved are keeping quiet about the results of this private test. The team simply said that both had successfully completed similar programs. Doohan told ‘Speedcafe’ that the test was very good: “Short, of course. Just the morning. I did the job I had to do, ticked everything off, went through everything. I was very happy with the test.” A few days later, he also did a free practice session in Silverstone.
Schumacher a realist: Must have plan B without Formula 1
Doohan will also be behind the wheel of the A522 for two more days in Silverstone before the Hungarian GP. He will be given significantly more work and driving time by the team. Which is not surprising. After all, Schumacher is actually a Mercedes employee in F1. And at the same time he has to complete a full WEC season for Alpine. Doohan, on the other hand, will be the sole test and simulator driver for Alpine F1 in 2024.
The two are also not the only candidates for the Alpine cockpit. The number one is likely to remain the much sought-after Carlos Sainz. He still hasn’t made a decision between here, Sauber and Williams, and Mercedes has also recently come back into the picture. Alpine seems willing to wait for the Ferrari driver, not least because they have alternatives in Schumacher and Doohan who won’t run away.
In any case, the list should include more than just these three drivers. Another option would be veteran Valtteri Bottas. Schumacher, for his part, is prepared to wait: “My plan was always Formula 1. Now we have to wait and see what opportunities present themselves to me. I have decided that I will wait for Formula 1 as long as necessary.”
“It’s important for me to return to Formula 1 to show what I can do,” Schumacher has not given up on his dream. He only got two years with Haas on his first attempt in the premier class. The team did not extend his contract after being dissatisfied with the ratio of results to accidents. The team management made this clear to the public.
Since then, Schumacher has repeatedly made it clear that he sees himself as good enough. Companions and supporters such as former FIA President Jean Todt have come to his aid. The door is definitely open again at the moment. However, Schumacher does not want to deny that it is still a difficult path: “I have to make sure that I do not become too self-confident, that I continue to persevere and make sure that there is a plan B in case it does not work out.”