'I was Michael Schumacher's team-mate - this is what will stop his son's F1 comeback'

's former team-mate Rubens Barrichello believes that the financial reserves of other drivers are making it tough for to return to the F1 grid. The former Haas man has been chasing a comeback since being dropped in 2022. Schumacher Jnr's F1 career to date has been an unfortunate tale. The German racer stepped into the series as the reigning Formula Two champion after edging out Prema Racing team-mate Callum Ilott for the crown, but was saddled with a wildly uncompetitive VF-21 machine in his first year.

In his second campaign with Haas, the 26-year-old showed moments of true talent, but costly crashes agitated team principal Guenther Steiner, and when the opportunity to snap up Nico Hulkenberg emerged, Schumacher was the odd man out. This forced him into a test and reserve driver role with Mercedes in 2023.

Since then, Schumacher has carved out a career in endurance racing, but he has made it no secret that his plan is to return to the F1 grid. Since leaving Haas, he has been overlooked for opportunities with Williams, Alpine and Sauber, leaving him with dwindling options heading into the new regulations.

Offering his thoughts on Mick's career to , Barrichello said: "I see Mick Schumacher when he's racing in hypercars, my son Eduardo is racing for Aston Martin in a GT3, I see Mick sometimes in the paddock.

"He's a very, very nice guy. Obviously, I don't ask him anything about Michael's [Schumacher] health because the toughest thing for the family must be people asking about it a lot. I don't want to be intrusive.

"There was a lovely time when we met with Mick and he asked 'Tell me a good moment you had with my dad' I told him a story that made him laugh. It was a very nice moment. I wish Mick all the best because he definitely has the talent to drive.

"F1 in the 1980s, we had 36 cars, which gave plenty of drivers the opportunity to get a chance in the sport. When you have 20 cars and a lot of people with cash, it makes it very difficult for the likes of Mick to get back into F1."

While the odds are stacked against him, Schumacher is in contention for one of the two Cadillac seats next season. Sergio Perez looks destined to drive for the new squad, but the 26-year-old is in with a chance of securing the other side of the garage. Colton Herta, Valtteri Bottas and Zhou Guanyu have also been linked with the opportunity.