Multiple drivers on the current Formula 1 grid have returned to the sport after a year or more away. Perhaps the most famous example is Fernando Alonso, who retired at the end of 2018, only to then return with Alpine in 2021.
But two-time world champion Alonso made the conscious decision to bow out of F1, whereas many drivers lose their seats before receiving a lifeline. One of those is Daniel Ricciardo, who returned to Red Bull in a reserve role after he was axed by McLaren at the end of 2022.
When the team decided to axe underperforming AlphaTauri driver Nyck de Vries midway through last year, Christian Horner chose to give Ricciardo a second chance. He’ll be dreaming of returning to Red Bull one day and winning more races.
The same could potentially be said for Alex Albon. The Thai driver dropped off the F1 grid at the end of 2020 when the Milton Keynes outfit opted to replace him with Sergio Perez, but Williams then made him an offer for 2022.
Elsewhere, Esteban Ocon spent a year as the Mercedes reserve driver in 2019 between his stints at Racing Point and Renault. And few would have anticipated Kevin Magnussen or Nico Hulkenberg returning to F1 before Haas called them up.
Mick Schumacher desperate to make F1 return at Alpine
The victim of Hulkenberg’s comeback was Mick Schumacher, who had raced for Haas for two seasons after winning the F2 championship. Schumacher beat fellow rookie Nikita Mazepin in 2021 but struggled alongside the vastly more experienced Magnussen a year later.
The German subsequently took on the reserve role at Mercedes and this year, he’s also racing in the World Endurance Championship with Alpine. He’ll hope to use those ties to secure an F1 seat for 2025.
Indeed, the French manufacturer confirmed on Monday that Ocon would be leaving the team at the end of the year. Both seats may yet be available as Pierre Gasly approaches the end of his contract, though Alpine want to tie him down to a long-term deal.
Speaking on the F1 Nation podcast, L’Equipe journalist Fred Ferret said Schumacher was doing all he could to convince Alpine to hire him for next year. Bruno Famin is a fan of the 25-year-old, and says it would be a ‘mistake’ not to consider him.
“You must not forget that Mick Schumacher is pushing like hell to come back in F1,” said Ferret. “As he’s driving on the WEC side of Alpine, it would also make sense to bring him back. Bruno Famin says that he’s more talented than we think, that’s his word.”
Guenther Steiner tells Alpine not to sign his former driver Schumacher
Alpine would be taking a risk by signing Schumacher. While the likes of Albon and Hulkenberg have excelled in their second or third stint in F1, Ricciardo and Magnussen have both struggled in the long run.
And given their current predicament, you could argue that Alpine need a known quantity and a stabiling presence. Renault CEO Luca de Meo is considering selling the team after nearly a year-long period of crisis.
Schumacher’s former boss Guenther Steiner has advised the team against the move. He feels that, as a works team, they need to be targeting the best drivers on the market.
Famin is reportedly keen to sign Carlos Sainz, who previously raced for Renault in 2018, ahead of his Ferrari exit. But the Spaniard is more likely to join Williams or Audi at this stage.
It’s hard to imagine Schumacher being near the top of the list given his underwhelming track record across 43 races in F1. But if multiple drivers reject Alpine, which is possible amid the current upheaval, then it could open the door.
The post ‘You must not forget’: Journalist says 43-race driver is ‘pushing like hell’ to make 2025 F1 comeback appeared first on F1 Oversteer.