Mick Schumacher Joins Alpine for New Challenge in FIA World Endurance Championship

Mick Schumacher, son of the legendary Michael Schumacher, has announced that he will be joining the Alpine team in the FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) for the upcoming season. This marks his first venture into racing outside of single-seater categories.

Having served as Mercedes' reserve driver during the 2023 Formula 1 season, Schumacher's move comes after he lost his place on the F1 grid following two seasons with the Haas team in 2021 and 2022. His involvement with Mercedes will continue, however, as the team has confirmed his role as their F1 reserve driver for 2024. In this capacity, he will provide support to Lewis Hamilton and George Russell, combining his duties with his new WEC commitments.

Schumacher's transition to the WEC was preceded by a test session in Jerez, where he got behind the wheel of Alpine's A424 hypercar. His performance during this test evidently impressed the Alpine team, leading to his inclusion in their line-up for the next season. This line-up boasts an international flavor, featuring French racers Nicolas Lapierre, Matthieu Vaxiviere, Charles Milesi, and Paul-Loup Chatin, alongside Austrian Ferdinand Habsburg.

The 24-year-old Schumacher expressed his excitement about this new chapter in his career. He remarked on the impressive nature of the Alpine A424 hypercar and expressed eagerness to start racing in a car with a closed cockpit and covered wheels, acknowledging it as a great opportunity to refine his driving skills further.

Alpine is set to reveal their full crew lineup and the official livery of the A424 at a launch event scheduled for February 7, 2024, as part of the build-up to the new WEC season. This move by Schumacher to the WEC with Alpine is a significant step in his career, offering him the chance to explore a new facet of racing and continue his development as a driver.