A lot of F1 seats have been up for grabs as several racers’ contracts will be ending in 2024. Still, Mick Schumacher remains on the sidelines of the pinnacle of motorsports where his father had once reigned supreme. As Michael Schumacher’s son, one might assume that Mick deserves a spot in F1. But alas, the Formula 1 team principals do not think so. Thus, even after debuting with Haas in 2021, the German had to exit the sport after a couple of seasons as his boss, Guenther Steiner, did not like his results. And ever since then, finding a regular racer’s role has been difficult for the 25-year-old.

As of now, Mick Schumacher is an Alpine recruit for the Enstone outfit’s World Endurance Championship branch. As soon as Esteban Ocon announced his exit from the French team earlier this year, many people believed Alpine would bring in Mick from WEC to join Pierre Gasly as his teammate. Mick had even taken part in the Alpine test with Jack Doohan. There, Mick Schumacher came out to be the faster one in the long run while Doohan’s speed in one lap was greater.

However, Alpine’s Special Advisor Flavio Briatore has announced that the team was only eyeing Carlos Sainz as a potential recruit. And now that Sainz has gone to Williams, there is no specific favorite on his mind as to who might get the Alpine seat. Thus, his comment makes it sound like Mick Schumacher’s chances of getting a seat at Alpine are minimal. At a time like this, Helmut Marko has given a glowing recommendation for Mick to Audi. Motorsports quoted the octagenarian saying, “[Mick] deserves a position at Alpine or Audi.”

Marko also said, “Mick [Schumacher] is one of the most polite and friendly people in the paddock, which is a disadvantage for him, but he also has the disadvantage of carrying a big name.” While Helmut Marko seems to have such positive opinions on Mick, what does Mercedes boss Toto Wolff think about the 25-year-old?

Wolff gave out a clear message to rival teams regarding Mick Schumacher

When Haas dropped Mick Schumacher at Guenther Steiner’s recommendation, Toto Wolff took the German up as a reserve driver for Mercedes. The Austrian billionaire as well as his regular racing recruits, Lewis Hamilton and George Russell, have all been appreciative of the work the junior Schumacher did for Mercedes. Speaking on why Mick Schumacher has not found a seat at any of the F1 teams yet, Wolff said, “I think teams are missing out, to be honest.” And then he also talked about how driving for Haas was a harrowing experience as he said, “I think he [Mick] was burned [there].”

Well, no one knows if it was Toto Wolff’s comments on Mick or something else entirely, Alpine called the German for a test at Circuit de Paul Ricard in June. But hurting Mick’s recruitment chances, Guenther Steiner sent a message to Alpine saying, “You need to get the best driver you know is out there. I think [there are] people who are showing that they’re very good. And as a works team, you need to do the best you can.” Thus, he indicated that Alpine could do better than hiring Mick.

As of now, Alpine has not yet announced who will be getting their open seat for next year. But do you think Guenther Steiner’s scathing take on Mick Schumacher might be the reason why the French outfit ditches the former F2 Champion?