In a sudden turnaround, Sauber/Audi management would finally be open to a collaboration with Mick Schumacher due to Valtteri Bottas’ disproportionate demands for 2025.
The last seat still to be allocated for the next F1 season is the subject of intense speculation in the Grand Prix paddock.
Of course, Red Bull has not yet specified its crews for 2025, but the energy drink giant has contracts with five or six drivers who may prove interchangeable between Red Bull Racing and Racing Bulls.
It is therefore towards Sauber that the eyes of observers are directed, wondering about the identity of Nico Hülkenberg’s garage neighbor in 2025.
Bottas at odds with Sauber
The boss of the Swiss team Mattia Binotto seemed ready to wait one more year while waiting for the official arrival of Audi in the world championship by extending veteran Valtteri Bottas for an additional season, but the Finn would have issued conditions considered unacceptable on the duration of the agreement and his salary.
The applications of hopefuls from Formula 2 such as the reservist Théo Pourchaire, the impressive rookie Franco Colapinto who is shining at Williams and the leader of the Grand Prix lobby Gabriel Bortoleto would encounter contractual difficulties.
Ongoing talks with Schumacher
From then on, the Mick Schumacher hypothesis was relaunched and discussions would have already taken place in Singapore during the last Grand Prix with his manager Sabine Kehm (photo above) with a view to negotiating the Sauber steering wheel and potentially a future with Audi in Formula 1.
If this possibility were confirmed, it is likely that Schumi Jr would have to (re)prove himself against Hülkenberg next season to be dubbed by Audi in 2026, probably via a contract with an option linked to performance.
