F1 2025: 4 Series More Races for Mick Schumacher to Return to F1 Grid, Here's the Scenario

mobilinanews (France) - Alpine has just fired Jack Doohan. His replacement, Franco Colapinto, began racing at the GP Emilia Romagna. If Colapinto doesn't shine, Mick Schumacher is ready to be the next.

Alpine indeed made a permanent contract only for their primary driver, Pierre Gasly, the French senior driver. For their second driver, they have a special rule, which is to release young drivers who have performed in multiple races. This is recorded in their report to determine whether they continue or not.

Doohan, for example, was returned to the backup driver's seat after only 6 races.

His replacement, Argentine Franco Colapinto, debuted at the GP Emilia Romagna a few days ago. He fell five times in the race. If Flavio Briatore is not satisfied, Colapinto won't have a sixth chance.

Colapinto's debut in Emilia Romagna ended with a red report card. He was clumsy in the qualifying session due to his own mistake and wrecked his car after crashing into a pile of old tires.

This means he only has 4 more racing series to show off his abilities. If he fails, he will be following Doohan to the backup driver's seat.

Briatore, the Executive Advisor and Interim Team Principal of Alpine, according to Express.de, has already included Mick Schumacher's name as a replacement if Colapinto has to go. Mick is the son of F1 legend Michael Schumacher, who was once a teammate of Briatore at Benetton Ford.

Mick, the 2020 F2 champion, has been with Haas for two seasons, 2021 and 2022, and failed to shine. He last became a test and reserve driver for Mercedes until the end of last year.

And this year, Mick joined the FIA World Endurance Championship as a racing driver for Alpine with a target to return to F1 as soon as possible.

Briatore's choice of Mick is not just because he's Schumacher's son. It's because Mick has indeed shown decent abilities. This year, he successfully helped Alpine secure two podiums from three WEC races.

At the GP Monaco last weekend, Mick will be joining the Alpine squad outside the racing track. It's unclear what his mission is, but he might be there to do some initial observation of the team's operations in the F1 paddock.

Colapinto's five race passes will end at the GP Austria in late June. If Briatore is not satisfied with the results, Mick's F1 comeback might start from the GP England in early July.