Bernie Ecclestone verdict as Audi ‘decides against’ Mick Schumacher for F1 2025

Bernie Ecclestone says he understands Audi F1’s position following rumors Mick Schumacher was passed over for a 2025 F1 seat.

Schumacher’s latest opportunity to return to the Formula 1 grid was seized this week when Audi chief Mattia Binotto reportedly “finally decided against” the German hopeful.

Bernie Ecclestone says Audi needs drivers to ‘protect’ the brand

The 25-year-old was just one name on a long list of prospects that includes outgoing Sauber drivers Valtteri Bottas and Zhou Guanyu, as well as Williams junior driver Franco Colapinto and McLaren’s Gabriel Bortoleto.

Talk to Sky Germany At the Singapore Grand Prix, Schumacher revealed he remains hopeful.

“There will be a decision in September,” he said. “So we have to wait and see what happens.

“Formula 1 is the big goal, it always has been and it always will be. That’s why everything else has to stay still for now.”

“I will deal with it when the time comes and plan A won’t work. Plan B must be in the back of my mind. I don’t know where this is going to take us at the moment.

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Unfortunately for the former Haas driver, it looks like plan B now needs some thinking Picture reporting that Audi chief Binotto has “decided against it” and is instead leaning towards retaining Bottas for a fourth season.

And former F1 supremo Ecclestone understands why Audi made the call.

“You can understand Audi’s position,” the 93-year-old said. sport.de.

“When they come in, they need their number one driver and a number two. They will need a lot of help to protect their brand. They cannot stand by and do nothing. »

As for whether Bottas is the right choice to partner Nico Hulkenberg given the Finn sits 22nd in the Drivers’ Championship without a single point to his name, Ecclestone says: “Only time will tell.”

What’s next for Mick Schumacher after another F1 door closes?

Although Schumacher has been linked to four teams for F1 2025 – Mercedes, Alpine, Williams and Audi – one by one, those doors have closed. At least when it comes to an F1 racing seat.

The German still has links to Mercedes, where he is the F1 team’s reserve driver, and to Alpine as he races for their World Endurance Championship team.

He believes he will continue in the Mercedes role next season, saying: “It’s going well there. “So we are all confident that I will continue to do it.”

But plan B, and whether or not he continues with Alpine in the WEC, has not yet been decided.

Ecclestone believes that wherever he goes, the 25-year-old needs a team leader “who is a warm person” because although he is “quite talented, he hasn’t had the right opportunity until now.”

The Briton has made it clear in the past that he does not believe Schumacher was given that at Haas under Guenther Steiner, with the Italian often publicly criticizing the driver.

“He doesn’t need people saying that to him all the time,” the former F1 supremo said. “He needs someone to help him and not criticize him too much.

“If Michael (was) there, he would tell Guenther where to go. That would help a lot.

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