Mick Schumacher will complete his first Formula 1 test for Alpine on Wednesday before the British GP, as Motorsport-Magazin.com He will take a seat in the A522, the French F1 car from the 2022 season. Schumacher will share the test day in Le Castellet with Jack Doohan.
This could lead to an open exchange of blows between the two friends over a Formula 1 cockpit for 2025. Team boss Bruno Famin recently confirmed that Schumacher is a candidate. The German most recently competed for Alpine in the 24 Hours of Le Mans, but has never made a secret of wanting to return to Formula 1.
Nevertheless, he was recently allowed to test a Mercedes Formula 1 car in Barcelona. This was a so-called TPC test. While test drives in current cars are strictly prohibited in Formula 1, the teams are allowed to hold almost unlimited private test days as long as the racing vehicles are at least two years old.
After the Mercedes test, rumors circulated that it was a shootout between Andrea Kimi Antonelli and Mick Schumacher for Hamilton’s cockpit. Mercedes denied the rumors. While Antonelli has not yet been signed as Hamilton’s replacement, contrary to various media reports, Schumacher probably plays no role for the former perennial world champion.
However, Schumacher attracted attention as the fastest Alpine driver in Le Mans. Now the 25-year-old has a chance to drive in Formula 1 with the French team. His benchmark on this test day is Jack Doohan, not only a good friend but also an Alpine colleague.
The son of motorcycle legend Mick Doohan is an Alpine junior and was already allowed to test in the A522 in Zandvoort. After two seasons in Formula 2 (third overall in 2023), the 21-year-old Australian is concentrating this year on a Formula 1 test program with Alpine and on the role of reserve driver.
Sainz suddenly a candidate at Alpine
But it is not just the duel between the two youngsters that will be exciting. First of all, it must be clarified whether there is still a Formula 1 cockpit to be filled at Alpine. It is already certain that Esteban Ocon will leave the team at the end of the season, but there may be a spectacular replacement: As our colleagues from Racingnews365 report, the talks between Carlos Sainz and Alpine in Barcelona have intensified.
Sainz has still not made a decision in his search for a Formula 1 cockpit for 2025. After his Ferrari contract was not renewed, it looked like a move to Sauber, or rather Audi, for a long time. However, the current form of the racing team is putting the Spaniard off. After talks with Williams, Alpine is now also said to be a serious alternative.
The Sainz decision could also have an impact on the future of Pierre Gasly. The Frenchman’s contract with Alpine expires at the end of the season. If Audi does not get Sainz, Gasly is a candidate for the second cockpit alongside Nico Hülkenberg. So a door would still be open at Alpine if Sainz decides to move to Enstone.