Ex-Formula 1 team boss Franz Tost has claimed that Sauber has made a mistake not selecting Mick Schumacher over Gabriel Bortoleto or Nico Hulkenberg for 2025.
Sauber announced earlier this week that Bortoleto will partner Hulkenberg, who penned a multi-term deal back in April, to complete the team’s line-up for next season.
The news has all but banished Mick Schumacher’s F1 hopes, with the former Haas driver having been overlooked despite being among the names Sauber considered.
Sauber explained the decision to pick Bortoleto revolved around a desire to invest in the next generation, as the Brazilian will be among three rookies on the 2025 grid.
However, Tost has warned that Oliver Bearman and Franco Colapinto’s mistakes in the wet in Brazil last weekend highlight the dangers associated with that approach.
“Oliver Bearman often went off the track and seemed overwhelmed. And Franco Colapinto had two serious accidents. This cost Williams millions, he told F1 Insider.
“From a political point of view, it would also be an extremely unfortunate decision.”
Schumacher deserves second F1 chance
Tost, who oversaw the Faenza-based squad now known as RB up until the end of last season, has indicated that Schumacher warrants a second chance in the series.
“Mick is still young and has won both crucial junior classes, something Bortoleto has not yet achieved,” he underlined.
“In addition, he is very fast, has constantly improved during his two years with the Haas team.
“And now, in his role as a test driver [with Mercedes], has a lot of mileage experience with the current Formula 1 cars.”
Tost would’ve chosen Schumacher over Hulkenberg
Hulkenberg’s impressive outings since his own return to F1 in 2022 with Haas have landed him a long-term deal with Sauber as it prepares to evolve into Audi in 2026.
However, Tost believes the veteran German, who holds the record for the most races without a podium finish with 224 starts, no longer merits his position on the grid.
Instead, the Austrian has argued that Schumacher should have been the driver that the Audi-owned operation prioritised earlier this season rather than his compatriot.
“In my opinion, he doesn’t belong in Formula 1 anymore,” he expressed regarding Hulkenberg.
“They would be better off giving a young German like Mick Schumacher a chance.”
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