'Door still open' - Mick Schumacher blessed with F1 lifeline hope

Mick Schumacher has been handed a vote of confidence by two-time F1 drivers' champion Mika Hakkinen, who believes "the door is still open" for the German to return to the championship.

The 25-year-old, who made his F1 debut in 2021, lasted two seasons at Haas before being shown the door in favour of compatriot Nico Hulkenberg.

In addition to being comfortably out-classed and over-matched by 2022 team-mate Kevin Magnussen, his propensity for expensive crashes proved too rich for the team to stomach.

Following his dismissal from the American squad, Schumacher dovetailed the reserve driver role at Mercedes - who his father Michael raced for in F1 from 2010 to 2012 - with competing for Alpine in the World Endurance Championship (WEC).

The son of the seven-time F1 drivers' champion relinquished his duties with the Brackley-based team at the end of last season to focus exclusively on his endurance programme for the campaign ahead.

He recently reflected on his F1 journey, saying he had "clung too much to plan A" in the past, having missed out on not only the Alpine seat alongside Pierre Gasly, which went to family friend Jack Doohan, but also the opportunity to race for Audi in its fledgling F1 season in 2026.

Nonetheless, his father's great rival, Hakkinen, does not feel the 2020 F2 champion's story in F1 is completely over just yet.

"I think he still has a chance to return to Formula 1," Hakkinen told Total-Motorsport. "The door is still open. You just have to talk to the right people."

One such lifeline to be explored could be Cadillac. The General Motors-backed operation's entry onto the F1 grid for the 2026 campaign offers Schumacher further opportunities to re-ignite his F1 career.

The American project's agreement in principle with the championship is expected to be formalised soon and it is known to be courting at least one experienced F1 driver.

"He has experience in Formula 1 and he has experience from various racing classes," Hakkinen added. "And he is young. These are all good things, these are all positive factors."

Schumacher will, however, have to prevail over names with a far longer history in F1 if he is to secure a seat at Cadillac.

Further still, two of the best options for the GM squad are Sergio Perez and Valtteri Bottas, both of which do not currently have a seat, so will therefore not free one up elsewhere in the paddock if signed.