Bernie Ecclestone, the former F1 supremo, has expressed his belief that Mick Schumacher could make a return to the Formula 1 grid. However, he critiqued the young driver’s past management, particularly during his tenure with Haas and his involvement in Ferrari’s driver academy.
Ecclestone, 93, shared his insights with RTL, suggesting that Schumacher might have fared better with a different team. “At Red Bull, for example, he would have been better understood,” he said. “They would have helped him and led him upwards.”
Mick Schumacher, 24, is not giving up on his F1 aspirations, having secured a role as Mercedes’ full-time reserve this year. Additionally, he’s set to return to racing in 2024 with Alpine at Le Mans. Ecclestone views this as a crucial period for Schumacher to prove his mettle. “He has to fight now, he has to stick with it and show that he is still in a position to deliver good performances,” he advised.
Ecclestone emphasized the need for Schumacher to be recognized for his abilities rather than his famous surname. “In the best case scenario, people will see him and say ‘We need him’ and not the other way around – him looking for someone who will take him in because of his name. He should forget his name now and develop as a person,” he added, highlighting the importance of individual merit in the sport.
While acknowledging that Schumacher’s move to the world endurance championship is probably his best option at the moment, Ecclestone remains hopeful for his F1 future. “Hopefully, the (F1) teams will see him again and think ‘Maybe we made a mistake and we’ll give him another go’,” he concluded, painting a picture of potential redemption and revival in Schumacher’s racing career.
