GERMANY: As Audi prepares to enter F1 in 2026 as a power unit manufacturer, the paddock is rife with speculations about which drivers could form the brand’s lineup.
While the F1 pundits and fans have heavily linked Mick Schumacher with joining the team, Audi CEO Markus Duesmann confirmed that there are no concrete discussions about a commitment.
Despite Audi’s parent company, the Volkswagen Group, expressing interest in the possibility of a German driver in the team, Duesmann stated it is not a requirement.
Audi’s ultimate goal is to become a leading F1 team by their third season on the grid, and Duesmann made it clear that they are not entering the competition only to participate.
“The Olympic idea of just wanting to be there is not enough for us,” he said in an interview with the media.
Meanwhile, Mick Schumacher’s future in F1 remains uncertain. Although he has been signed as a reserve driver by Mercedes after losing his seat with Haas at the end of the 2022 season, there is a chance that he could find himself in a race seat with the team in the coming years.
If Mercedes continues to struggle to provide title-winning machinery, and if Lewis Hamilton decides not to renew his contract, Schumacher could be a logical appointment to join George Russell in the Mercedes lineup.
If Schumacher does not end up with Mercedes, Audi would be wise to put an offer in for the young German driver. While the brand may not require a German driver in their lineup, it would definitely interest the Volkswagen Group.
If Hamilton does call it quits at the end of 2025, Schumacher may have to decide which German giant to back for future success. As Audi continues to put the foundations in place for their F1 venture, there is no doubt that the brand is taking the competition seriously.
While Schumacher may not currently be in the running for an Audi seat, the team will have many decisions to make in the coming years as they strive to become a leading F1 team.
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