Mick Schumacher (Alpine) : “The WEC is my number 1 priority”

Mick Schumacher is now fully involved in Endurance. After a first season at Alpine, crowned by a podium at the 6 Hours of Fuji, the German will still represent the colours of the A arrow in the Endurance World Championship. A programme in which he will be fully invested since the German no longer occupies the role of reserve at the same time Mercedes en Formula 1.

« F1 is still in my mind, it's still my dream and it always will be., said the 25-year-old pilot during a roundtable organized by Alpine and at which AUTOhebdo was present. However, what is clear to me is that the WEC is my number 1 priority, and with Alpine, together we try to be as fast as possible and for that, it requires 100% of my effort »

« Last year was my first contact with Endurance, there were many moments where it was new for me, especially concerning the car which is very different from a Formula 1. »

« There was a long period of adaptation, the car is of course heavier, with less aerodynamic downforce so there was more movement, admits the person concerned. Now, after eight races, I have a good understanding of the car, what it needs, what it does. As a team, we continue to develop and improve to reach a position where the car is very consistent and has the same behaviour in every race. We are on a good trajectory to have a positive season. »

Schumacher associated with Gounon and Makowiecki

Mick Schumacher will still be at the wheel of the No. 36 for this 2025 season, but will have to deal with two new teammates. After Nicolas lapierre and Matthieu Vaxiviere, now Sporting Director and reserve of the team, the German will have at his side Jules Gounon and the recruit Frédéric Makowiecki.

« With Fred [Makowiecki] and Jules [Gounon] joining the car, I think we have a good combination of motivated drivers for this year, judge the German. For my part, I am eager to apply what I learned last year to this year. I had a year to experience all these things, and now they are no longer unknown to me. I know what to expect for the first race of the season. »

Philippe Sinault, Team Principal ofAlpine Endurance Team, was very positive about its driver, particularly regarding his level of demand.

« Since the first meeting with Mick last year, we immediately identified the level of performance he expected on the car, in the paddock, during the briefings and debriefings. ", Sinault said.

« His expectations are very high and he helped us push everyone to reach their level. He is very interesting, very friendly. Our only question was about his ability to play in a team and be a good teammate, but since the first test with the drivers, we are happy to work with him. He is very open and ready to share. It is a pleasure to work with him for a second consecutive year on this project. »

« It wasn't easy for him last year, as you can imagine., adds Sinault. He gave his all to do the best job possible, and he succeeded. We feel that he is much more confident with Endurance and with us, because we have been working with him for 12 months now. We have created a good relationship and he has also become aware of the potential of the championship, when you see all the manufacturers involved in this series, it is a good signal. I think he considers that his place is here now. »

The 2025 WEC season will kick off on Friday 28 February with the 1812 km of Qatar.

With Dorian Grangier

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