Vice president of Alpine Motorsport Bruno Famin has confirmed that the company are in talks with Mercedes reserve driver Mick Schumacher, over a potential seat in their Hypercar programme.
It was reported ahead of this weekend’s Japanese Grand Prix that Schumacher was talking to the French side about joining their Hypercar programme in the World Endurance Championship, something Famin has confirmed as being “true”.
If Schumacher completes the switch, then the German driver will compete in the 2024 Le Mans 24 Hours, something the likes of Charles Leclerc and Max Verstappen are keen on doing in the future.
“It’s true that we’re talking with Mick about the possibility of racing in our endurance programme with the A424,” Famin said in the pre-weekend press conference.
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“It would be a good opportunity for both parties but for the time being we’re just talking. Hopefully we will organise a test soon”
A switch to the WEC with Alpine is currently Schumacher’s only option for 2024, with an F1 seat looking increasingly unlikely.
Only Logan Sargeant’s seat at Williams is yet to be filled, although it’s understood that not only are the Grove-based team not keen on signing Schumacher but they’re also considering giving Sargeant another season to prove himself.
With Red Bull reserve Liam Lawson also needing a seat, it’s widely expected that if Williams were to look elsewhere for 2024, then the Kiwi would be ahead of the Mercedes reserve on their list.
Schumacher became Mercedes’ reserve driver at the start of this season following his departure from Haas at the end of 2022, after the American side opted not to extend the son of Michael Schumacher’s contract.
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His work as the Silver Arrows’ reserve has been praised by the likes of Toto Wolff, Lewis Hamilton and George Russell; however, he wants to be on the grid, not in the simulator 24/7.
A move to the WEC would at least see him return to racing; albeit not in the form of a single-seater.
Wolff has also expressed his intent on keeping Schumacher as Mercedes’ reserve next season, although it remains unclear as to whether this is something Alpine would allow.