Mick Schumacher is in talks with McLaren Racing.

      Mick Schumacher's hopes of returning to Formula 1 have once again failed to materialize, as Cadillac F1 opted for more experienced drivers with stronger reputations — Valtteri Bottas and Sergio Perez.

      However, the son of the seven-time world champion was offered an alternative: he could become the reserve driver for the new Formula 1 team and combine that role with racing for Cadillac Team Jota in endurance events. According to The Race, however, the parties were unable to reach an agreement.

      Allegedly the terms offered to Mick did not convince him. As the British publication writes, it is unclear what exactly he disliked, but it is certain that in Cadillac’s factory team competing in the WEC Schumacher would not have been granted the freedom he currently enjoys in the Alpine Endurance Team.

      He currently enjoys certain privileges: he more often than his hypercar No. 36 teammates runs on fresh tyres in practice and more frequently takes the wheel in qualifying. Cadillac follows a different policy: there all drivers are kept on equal terms, which is specifically stipulated in their contracts. No exceptions were made even for Jenson Button despite his fame and championship reputation.

      What options remain for Mick to continue his career?

      The only theoretically possible, although unlikely, chance to return to Formula 1 is connected to Alpine, since the seat alongside Pierre Gasly for next season is formally vacant. However, the management of the Renault Group’s racing programmes is prepared to continue working with the younger Schumacher only in the WEC, and other scenarios are not being considered.

      The Race, citing its sources, offers an intriguing version of how events might develop: Mick is already in talks with McLaren, and it is said he could join their new endurance racing project.

      We wrote that McLaren Racing have begun developing their own hypercar, which is due to debut in 2027. Schumacher already has two seasons' experience in the WEC's premier category, where he has been on the podium three times, and McLaren could find a driver with such experience very useful. Mick should also be attracted by the prospects of working with this company, whose team is confidently dominating Formula 1 this year.

      For now he is preparing for the remaining three rounds of the season, in which he will be driving the Alpine A424 prototype, and the race at the Circuit of the Americas in Texas takes place this weekend.