Cadillac setback deepens uncertainty for Schumacher

Mick Schumacher’s rumoured move to Cadillac has fallen through, leaving the 26-year-old facing fresh doubts about his future.

The former Haas racer had moved into Alpine’s World Endurance Championship program and was expected to switch to Cadillac’s WEC outfit next year - while perhaps also serving as reserve for the brand’s 2026 F1 entry, but Auto Motor und Sport and Motorsport Aktuell report that Schumacher suddenly walked away from the deal.

"Did Mick Schumacher gamble too badly?" the German publication asked. Insiders suggest the son of seven-time champion Michael Schumacher was dissatisfied with Cadillac’s terms, preferring the preferential treatment he enjoyed at Alpine, including extra tyre sets and guaranteed qualifying sessions.

Cadillac’s Jota-run team, by contrast, applies equal conditions to all drivers, even past world champions such as Jenson Button. Alpine has already signed Antonio Felix da Costa as Schumacher’s replacement, leaving him without a confirmed seat.

According to Auto Bild, Schumacher will still compete for Alpine in Austin this weekend before entering new discussions. Meanwhile, hopes of reclaiming an F1 cockpit have also dimmed.

Flavio Briatore has reportedly ruled him out as a 2026 Alpine option alongside Pierre Gasly. That leaves McLaren’s 2027 WEC hypercar program as perhaps his most viable route forward, but it could require a year on the sidelines.