Mick Schumacher makes 'toolbox' claim to Cadillac in bid for F1 comeback

Mick Schumacher feels his past few years away from F1 grand prix racing have developed his "toolbox" that now makes him the ideal candidate for a return with newcomer Cadillac.

Schumacher spent two predominantly unhappy years on the grid with backmarker Haas in 2021 and 2022 before being dropped by the US-based team.

Despite speculation linking Schumacher with seats at Mercedes, Alpine, and Stake, he was always overlooked, leading to a move into the World Endurance Championship with Alpine, and taking on an F1 reserve driver role with Mercedes.

Schumacher left the German manufacturer at the end of last season, leaving him on the outside looking in on F1. However, there is a possibility of a lifeline with Cadillac as he is understood to be on their shortlist ahead of its debut next season.

The 26-year-old is determined to return. "Formula 1 is a topic, for me, that is very close to my heart," said Schumacher, speaking to The New York Times. "I love Formula 1. I've loved Formula 1 since I was a little boy. It's never left my sight."

Referring to Cadillac, he added: "There's an amazing project on the line at the moment, a very interesting topic."

Schumacher recently attended the Miami Grand Prix, and is known to have held discussions with Cadillac CEO Dan Towriss over the weekend.

"It was important to be there, and being back in the Formula 1 paddock was amazing," he said. "It's a beautiful place with great motor racing, and it is the pinnacle of motorsport for a good reason."

Schumacher feels that although he has been away from the sharp end of F1 on the grid, the last two and a half years have turned him into a better driver after what he has learned with Mercedes, as well as with the manufacturer's engine partners, McLaren and Williams, and Alpine in WEC.

"My career path is very public, and what I'm doing is very public, so obviously, in that sense, people know what they'll get if they see me," said Schumacher, when asked what he could offer Cadillac should they come calling.

"Obviously, I have evolved a lot since my two years in Formula 1. I was Mercedes' reserve driver, and then, also working with McLaren and Williams at the same time, gaining a lot of knowledge on that front. Being part of different teams has been very, very interesting.

"Then with WEC, it's been such a good championship, learning and seeing something new. I feel if you're always in single-seaters, it's a very niche part of the sport, and it's very different compared to what I'm doing now.

"I think if you have a broader spectrum of knowledge, you are more useful for different things. Let's say, I can better understand the psychology of other drivers.

"Also, internally, how systems work, because the systems in F1 are very limited compared to WEC. We have different tools like traction control, and other points like energy management. There's a lot more where the driver is involved in trying to develop those systems.

"There are a bunch of different points I feel have made me a better driver, for sure. Coupled with my time at Mercedes, it has been very helpful to build my toolbox."

Schumacher feels that after the disappointment of his time with Haas, his personal psychology has also improved, learning to pick himself up.

"I've been doing that all my life, to be honest," he said.

"Disappointments are a part of growth, and they are part of growing up, essentially. I think that all of those moments that are difficult in life will make you more resilient and a stronger person, mentally and physically.

"I think everything happens for a reason in life, and so you've just got to either let it take you down or use it as an opportunity in life to move forward."