Currently, Audi is deciding whether to appoint a fresh talent such as Colapinto or Bortoleto alongside an experienced F1 driver like Hulkenberg or to hire another experienced driver such as Bottas. Schumacher fits in between the two extremes, as his full-time F1 experience includes 2 years at Haas in 2021 and 2022 before he parted ways with the American outfit at the end of the second year.
Currently, Schumacher is not only performing reserve driver duties for Mercedes but also racing for Alpine’s World Endurance Championship (WEC) team. However, his ultimate goal remains to race in the premier class of motorsport, and Audi seems to be the only option at the moment where he could achieve his dream.
While Binotto still assesses his options for the best fit in the team next year, Bottas said in a recent interview that he was on the verge of closing the deal with Audi, prompting Schumacher to have a word with Binotto at the Circuit of the Americas. When Bottas was asked by the media if he had finalized the contract with Audi and was waiting for a confirmation, he said:
“Correct.
“We’ve been in touch on a weekly basis and I know the terms that I’m up for. Just basically waiting for the green light.”
Binotto, who is well acquainted with Schumacher since his time as Ferrari’s team principal, surprisingly revealed that no decision had been made to sign Bottas, and the same was also conveyed to Schumacher in Austin. Speaking to Sky Italia, as reported by PlanetF1.com, he said:
“I told him that nothing has been decided yet.
“But I can’t say anything more at the moment.”
Considering his association with Schumacher from the past, Binotto added:
“I think we get on very well. It has to be a decision of the mind, not an emotional decision.”
The clarification offered by Binotto to Schumacher suggests that he is being considered as a serious option by Audi.
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