Mick Schumacher's uncle, Ralf Schumacher, has acknowledged that it will be "difficult" for the departing Mercedes reserve driver to make a return to Formula 1 - ever.
Schumacher, now 25, was dropped by Haas at the end of 2022 but found a role with Mercedes under Toto Wolff, as a reserve driver. Looking ahead to 2025, Mick has stated that he is determined to race again.
"I want to race and I can do that at Alpine," Schumacher told Sport1, referencing the French team for whom he competes in the World Endurance Championship, centred around Le Mans.
Jochen Neerpasch, a prominent figure in German motorsport who played a crucial role in the early career of Mick's father, Michael Schumacher, supports Mick's decision to focus on endurance racing.
"Mick should concentrate on sports cars," Neerpasch said. "It is booming right now and has a great future.
"If he continues to do well there, it is not impossible that he will find his way back to Formula 1. I am convinced that he has the potential. He is definitely much better than some people have portrayed him to be and he is still young enough."
Neerpasch also speculated that the Cadillac F1 team, set to join the grid in 2026, could provide an opportunity for Mick to make a comeback.
"The Schumacher name is still one of the biggest in motorsport worldwide," he said. "And it will stay that way."
Meanwhile, Toto Wolff, expected to replace Mick with Valtteri Bottas as Mercedes' reserve driver for 2025, left the door open for a future reunion.
"Our doors will always remain open for him," Wolff told Osterreich newspaper.
However, Mick's uncle, former F1 driver Ralf Schumacher, expressed doubts about Mick's chances of returning to the Formula 1 grid.
"It will be difficult to come back now, although I still say that he would have deserved another chance," said Ralf, 49, who won six grands prix during his career.
"Formula 1 is too fast-moving and forgets very quickly," Ralf warned. "Even Sebastian Vettel had to learn that."
