Schumacher: Alpine F1 set-up an ‘interesting factor’ in WEC seat decision

Mick Schumacher has admitted that Alpine's Formula 1 links were an“interesting factor” in his decision to sign with its WorldEndurance Championship team. After spending this year as Mercedes'reserve driver in F1, Schumacher will return to racing next seasonin WEC. The German will retain his links with Mercedes and continueas its reserve driver as he aims to find a way back to the F1 gridin a full-time capacity. Schumacher drove with Haas for two seasonsbefore he was dropped in favour of Nico Hulkenberg. With Alpinebeing only one of two F1 teams (alongside Ferrari) to have both F1and Hypercar programmes, Schumacher stated that it was aconsideration when he penned a deal. “I think definitely the linkto Formula 1 is an interesting factor,” he told media includingRacingNews365.com . “The whole position that we're able to take inwith Mercedes, being the reserve driver there, having the WECposition with Alpine, but also that Alpine is in Formula 1, I feellike that construction is a good deal.” WEC drive can help F1return Although Schumacher is delving into sportscar racing, the24-year-old believes that strong performances will aid his questback to the F1 grid. “Everybody out there and I feel like also F1,in some sense, will have a look at the individual driver'sperformance still,” he said. “So it's not like, ‘Okay, I'm withthese drivers [sharing the car], I can relax’. “No, it's at theend, you always have to contribute to be able to get out of theteam and the best out of the car. “People will still recognize ifyou do the job which is exceptionally good, that will be referredback to F1 in that sense or other teams out there.”