Mick Schumacher has confirmed he is in talks to return to Formula 1 with Cadillac, in what could be a surprising comeback for the son of legendary driver Michael Schumacher. His potential arrival in the 2026 season may directly threaten the prospects of drivers like Valtteri Bottas or even Sergio “Checo” Pérez.

The Legend Son Looking for Redemption

Schumacher has not raced in Formula 1 since leaving Haas at the end of the 2022 season. He later lost his reserve driver role at Mercedes, being replaced by Bottas. Currently, he competes in the World Endurance Championship with Alpine.

However, the arrival of the new Cadillac F1 team backed by General Motors and scheduled to join the grid in 2026 has opened a potential door for his return. Schumacher has confirmed “positive” talks with team principal Graeme Lowdon and praised the project as “incredible.”

“Yes, of course, discussions are ongoing. Communication has been very positive so far,” Schumacher told Motorsport.com.
“They’ve already hired a fantastic group of people. It’s an honor to be part of these negotiations.”

Is Checo at Risk? Cadillac Has Several Options

According to various sources, both Sergio Pérez and Valtteri Bottas are among the frontrunners for the two available seats at Cadillac. Neither driver has a confirmed spot on the grid for 2026, making them strong candidates.

Lowdon, who previously led the Manor F1 team, confirmed on the High Performance podcast that discussions with Schumacher have indeed taken place:

“Yes, we’re talking to Mick,” he said with a smile.
“He’s a really nice guy I like him a lot. He’s still young but already has F1 experience. It’s been a while, but he’s stayed active. He’s definitely on our list... though I must say the list is quite long.”

The team boss also acknowledged talks with Bottas but emphasized that the team is looking for drivers who are focused on collective success, not just proving a point:

“We’re not here to be a vehicle for someone to prove they still deserve to be in F1.
We want drivers who are motivated by the success of the team not just personal goals.”

A Fairytale Comeback for Mick?

While many thought Schumacher F1 chances had faded after his exit from Haas, he remains determined to return to the pinnacle of motorsport. Cadillac could be the ideal platform for his rebirth.

With names like Checo Pérez and Bottas also in contention, the battle for a Cadillac seat promises to be fierce. Will Mick reclaim his place on the grid possibly at the expense of one of them?