22 November 2023 , 13:53
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Mick Schumacher's hopes of returning to the Formula 1 grid next season are over for now, with the 24-year-old now set to compete in the World Endurance Championship instead.
The son of seven-time F1 world champion Michael Schumacher spent two seasons racing for Haas, before being replaced by Kevin Magnussen this year. Schumacher ended up joining Mercedes as their reserve driver and had spoken openly about his desire to get back on the grid in 2024.
However, he has now signed on to driver for Alpine in the World Endurance Championship where he will be teammates with Nicolas Lapierre, Mathieu Vaxivere, Charles Milesi, Ferdinand Habsburg and Paul-Loup Chatin. Schumacher Jnr, who was linked with a move to Williams, will continue to be Mercedes' reserve driver next season.
"A new chapter is beginning for me with Alpine in the FIA WEC Hypercar category," Schumacher said. "The car is impressive, and I can't wait to get started.
"I've grown up with single-seaters, so driving a car with a closed cockpit and covered wheels is a great opportunity to hone my driving skills. I sorely missed racing this year; it's what I've loved to do since I was a kid, and it was sometimes difficult to watch the other drivers take to the track.
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"Endurance racing is a new challenge for me, and I'm sure we will share great moments together next year with Alpine." Alpine's vice president of motorsports Bruno Famin said he was confident Schumacher "will be a real asset" to the team.
"We are absolutely delighted to have these six drivers and we hope they will all bring their own experience and qualities to the project, for example Charles with his youth, Nicolas with his experience in Endurance to mentor the younger drivers, and also Mick, with his experience gained at the highest level," Famin said.
"It might be his first foray into Endurance, but his enthusiasm for the project and his will to join us are palpable. I'm sure he will be a real asset." Alongside his new role with Alpine, Schumacher will continue as Mercedes' reserve driver.
"Delighted to confirm that Mick Schumacher will retain his reserve driver role with the team for 2024," they said in a statement. "We're excited to see Mick continue to contribute to our team alongside his new challenge in the FIA World Endurance Championship."
Schumacher added: "Happy and grateful to be a reserve driver for Mercedes next year. It is good to stay connected with this great team in F1."