Michael Schumacher’s son Mick has confirmed he is in “very positive” talks with Cadillac about a sensational return to Formula 1 for the 2026 season.
The 25-year-old German driver, who was dropped by Haas at the end of 2022, revealed ongoing negotiations with the American outfit as they prepare to join the grid as F1’s 11th team.
“Yes, obviously the conversations are ongoing. Communication has been very positive,” Schumacher told Brazilian media whilst competing in the World Endurance Championship.
Praise for Cadillac Project
Schumacher expressed enthusiasm about the potential opportunity with the General Motors-backed team, which received formal approval to join the grid earlier this year.
“It’s a great project, they’ve already hired a fantastic number of people for it, it’s an incredible project, a great story,” he said.
“So, it’s something I feel honoured to be a part of, negotiating, and it’s a great position to be in.”
The former Haas driver, who won the F2 championship in 2020, has maintained his racing edge through his current role with Alpine’s World Endurance Championship programme, where he has secured three podium finishes.
Team Principal Confirms Interest
Cadillac team principal Graeme Lowdon confirmed the team’s interest in Schumacher during an appearance on the High Performance podcast.
“Yes, we’re talking to Mick,” Lowdon revealed. “Of course, he can prove what he can do, but this isn’t the right place to show the world something, or whatever.”
Speaking at the British Grand Prix, Lowdon praised the German driver’s qualities: “Mick is great. He’s a very nice guy – I like him a lot. And I’ve gotten to know him better now.”
He’s still young, but he already has Formula 1 experience. Sure, that was a while ago, but he’s kept himself up to date. He’s also done some tests and is showing great interest in our project. We really like that.”
Competitive Driver Market
Schumacher faces stiff competition for the Cadillac seats, with multiple experienced drivers linked to the new team.
Former Red Bull driver Sergio Perez, who was dropped at the end of 2024 after a dismal season, is reportedly closing in on an agreement with Cadillac for his own F1 return.
Ten-time grand prix winner Valtteri Bottas is also in contention, appearing to be in a direct fight with Schumacher for the second seat.
“There are a lot of good drivers available—a mix of experienced drivers and new, up-and-coming drivers from Formula 2,” Lowdon acknowledged.
Experience Versus Potential
The choice between Bottas and Schumacher presents Cadillac with a classic dilemma of experience versus potential.
Bottas brings a decade of F1 experience and knowledge from working with Mercedes, the sport’s most successful team in the modern era.
Schumacher, meanwhile, offers youth and development potential, having shown flashes of brilliance during his two years with Haas despite driving the slowest car on the grid.
His best result came at the 2022 Austrian Grand Prix, where he dragged the struggling Haas to sixth place in a memorable performance.
Haas Struggles Recalled
Schumacher’s F1 career began in challenging circumstances, joining Haas in 2021 alongside Nikita Mazepin when the team was at its lowest ebb.
Both rookies struggled with an uncompetitive car and suffered numerous crashes, leading to criticism from then-team principal Gunther Steiner.
Steiner made the decision to drop Schumacher at the end of 2022, replacing him with the experienced Nico Hülkenberg.
Since then, Schumacher has served as Mercedes’ reserve driver for two years before focusing on his WEC commitments with Alpine.
Other Options Emerge
Should Bottas miss out on the Cadillac seat, alternative opportunities may arise elsewhere on the grid.
Franco Colapinto’s future at Alpine remains uncertain, with the Enstone team potentially looking in a new direction for 2026.
The fan favourite’s situation could open another door for Bottas should the Finn lose out to Schumacher at Cadillac.
TWG Motorsports Chief Executive Dan Towriss emphasised that Cadillac will prioritise experience in at least one cockpit: “Getting the feedback on the car… from that standpoint, it’s going to be crucially important.”
Timeline Remains Unclear
Cadillac has indicated they are not rushing their driver decision, with team principal Lowdon asking fans for patience.
“Hopefully, the fans will forgive us for focusing on the car for now – because if there’s no car, there are no drivers,” he said.
With pre-season testing scheduled for early 2026, Cadillac will need to finalise their line-up in the coming months as they prepare for their historic F1 debut.
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Image Credit:
Mick Schumacher – Champions for Charity 2019 – Image by Sven Mandel, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
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