Mick Schumacher F1 return hopes dealt fresh blow

Flavio Briatore has confirmed that Mick Schumacher is not on Alpine's "list" of potential drivers for its second seat, despite the German competing for the team in endurance racing.

The 26-year-old has spent the past two years racing in WEC for the French outfit, as he continues to seek a way back to a full-time seat in F1.

However, the executive adviser and de facto team principal of the Enstone-based squad has revealed the former Haas driver is not under consideration to partner Pierre Gasly in 2026.

Whilst the Frenchman has recently been tied into a contract extension that will see him remain at Alpine until 2028, who will sit in the cockpit alongside him is still unclear.

Incumbent Franco Colapinto has struggled since taking over from Jack Doohan six rounds into the campaign, as whilst the Argentine's performances have improved of late, he has underwhelmed, with Briatore outspoken with his dissatisfaction.

"Doohan had too many accidents," the Italian told Auto, Motor und Sport. "Colapinto was also disappointing at the beginning.

"We thought he would do better. Now he's slowly getting going. He knows the car better and feels more comfortable.

"Looking back, we underestimated the pressure that these young drivers are exposed to. Alpine is a factory team. The pressure is even greater. It multiplies in a difficult season. Rookies find it easier in a small team. Look at [Isack] Hadjar and [Gabriel] Bortoleto."

Coincidentally, Alpine is surrendering its factory status next season, becoming a Mercedes customer as F1 overhauls its chassis and power unit regulations.

Having taken the highly unusual step of forgoing being a works team, hopes are high that Alpine can move up the pecking order.

Sitting bottom of the constructors' standings on 20 points, which have all been scored by Gasly, Briatore is in search of a driver who can adequately partner with the one-time grand prix winner.

"I'm still open to the second cockpit," added the 75-year-old. "Maybe I should sign a Formula E driver? But seriously, we're still open.

"The two drivers with experience are going to Cadillac [Valtteri Bottas and Sergio Perez]. Let's see how our young drivers do in the rest of the season. We have Colapinto, we have [Paul] Aron, and we will also test again with [Jack] Doohan."

However, when asked about Schumacher, who is believed to have recently turned down a reserve driver role at Cadillac, Briatore shuts down any possibility, stating: "He's not on our list."