Schumacher sets 'priority' with F1 market finally uncorked

Mick Schumacher has outlined that his "priority" for next season remains to be back in F1, with the German targeting a speedy return to the pinnacle of motorsport. 

The son of seven-time world champion Michael Schumacher has spent the past 18 months as Mercedes' reserve, since being replaced by Nico Hulkenberg at Haas and has also been competing for Alpine in the World Endurance Championship (WEC).

Despite enjoying his venture into endurance racing, returning to F1 is very much Schumacher's goal.

"We'll have to wait and see," Schumacher told Divebomb. "I think obviously everything is very open in Formula 1 at the moment.

"I mean there is still essentially three or four teams that definitely have seats available and un-contracted seats."

A comment made recently by several drivers is that one person "is the cork in the bottle". That person is Carlos Sainz, who had interest from Williams, Alpine and Stake F1/Audi. 

Sainz created somewhat of a traffic jam in the driver market, as he was intent on taking time over his decision for next season. 

With his decision to join Williams having been made, it frees up Alpine and Stake F1/Audi in particular to turn to its other options and quickly make a decision.

F1 Schumacher's 'priority'

With Sainz having signed for Williams, it is just Alpine, Stake F1, Mercedes and RB who are yet to confirm its 2025 driver pairing. 

There are several drivers fighting over very few places, with Schumacher recognising that the teams with seats available can take time. 

However, for the likes of the former Haas driver, teams taking time over its 2025 pairing puts the German in a difficult position, given that seats will also start to fill quickly in WEC. 

"Now, saying that, a lot of teams don't have the pressure to make a decision right now," continued Schumacher. 

"Which also leaves me a bit in the air of course for that, but of course F1 will always have priority in everything that I do. 

"So as long as that's not completely closed for me, I will wait and focus on that."