Danner: If Palou is unable to make it to F1, Mick won't be able to come back.

Danner: If Palou is unable to make it to F1, Mick won't be able to come back.

      "Even the top IndyCar driver hasn’t yet succeeded"

      Christian Danner has advised Mick Schumacher to let go of his aspirations of returning to Formula 1, cautioning that even the most prominent star in IndyCar has not managed to make the transition. The 26-year-old will join Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing starting in 2026 after missing the opportunity with the Cadillac-F1 project, but he maintains his dream of a future comeback.

      Danner remarked to Kolner Express that this ambition is unrealistic. "Mick needs to finally move on from Formula 1. He has no alternative," stated the RTL commentator. He highlighted four-time IndyCar champion Alex Palou as a key example. "Even the best IndyCar driver hasn't reached Formula 1 yet," the German emphasized. "The likelihood of moving from IndyCar to Formula 1 is very low," he asserted.

      Danner referenced Colton Herta's effort to enter F1 through Formula 2 as further evidence of this fact. However, he commended Schumacher—who was a former F2 champion—for opting for IndyCar, despite his family's warnings, including that of his uncle Ralf. "Kudos to him," he expressed. "If a young person truly wants something, they can overcome such challenges," he noted.

      The ex-IndyCar competitor remarked that the series is significantly safer now than in his time. "IndyCars have become considerably safer. Even high-speed accidents have generally ended well," Danner explained. He believes that the American series could offer the former Haas driver a new beginning. "In the U.S., Mick can now race freely and build upon his previous achievements. I’m hoping that he wins again and enjoys his time on the track."

Danner: If Palou is unable to make it to F1, Mick won't be able to come back.

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