Source – Firstsportz
Mick Schumacher’s return to the grid at Williams to take the place of a faltering Logan Sargeant has kinked him.
Four-time Formula 1 world champion Sebastian Vettel has voiced strong support for Mick Schumacher to make a return to the F1 grid with Williams. Following Logan Sargeant’s severe crash during FP3 at Zandvoort, speculation has intensified that the American driver might be replaced before the Italian Grand Prix this weekend.
Sargeant’s future at Williams was already uncertain. The Grove-based team had previously announced during the summer break that he would be replaced in 2025 by Carlos Sainz. However, with Sargeant’s recent struggles, his departure could come sooner than expected. Amidst this uncertainty, Schumacher, who previously drove for Haas and is currently a reserve driver for Mercedes, has emerged as a potential candidate to fill Sargeant’s seat.
Vettel, a close friend of Schumacher, has publicly endorsed him for the role. “If it were my decision, I would tend to favour Mick,” Vettel told Bild. “Of course, I’m a bit biased because he’s my friend, but in my eyes, he’s the best solution. Mick has two years of experience in Formula 1 as a driver and a broad technical insight from his current role as a Mercedes reserve driver. He knows the Mercedes engine well and has matured a lot as a person since leaving Haas.”
Vettel emphasized that Schumacher’s familiarity with the F1 circuits and his experience in Formula 2 and Formula 3 make him a strong candidate. “Mick is a good racing driver,” Vettel continued. “He’s won in Formula 2 and Formula 3—that’s no mean feat. Now he has matured even more. I’m sure he could impress at Williams, especially since he knows the F1 driver line-up and the circuits. That’s a big advantage.”
Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff has also expressed support for Schumacher’s potential return. However, there is also talk of Red Bull reserve driver Liam Lawson being considered, with Christian Horner confirming that the team would be open to loaning him out.
Vettel believes Schumacher’s previous stint with Haas, where he struggled with an uncompetitive car, has led to an unfair perception of his abilities. “Mick has been unfairly branded because of his two years at Haas,” Vettel said. “He made mistakes, but the car wasn’t competitive. Many people have the wrong image of him.”
With the possibility of Schumacher returning to the grid, the next few days will be crucial in determining who will fill the seat at Williams for the upcoming races. As the F1 community watches closely, Vettel’s support might just tip the scales in Schumacher’s favor, offering him a chance to showcase his talents once again.
