Vettel backed Schumacher for Williams F1 drive but to no avail

The American driver was not up to the task, his crash at Zandvoort during FP three showed how out of his depth he is for the sport at the highest level and a catalyst for the no-time-wasted change by Williams. Immediately after the prang, names linked with the seat included Schumacher, as well as Red Bull's Liam Lawson, who Red Bull was happy to lease out.

However, it is something of a dead-end street. A nine-race contract because Carlos Sainz joins the team in 2025 alongside Alex Albon. So whoever gets that ride is only in it until the end of this season. Nevertheless, it is a great opportunity to showcase talent.

Hence, when the option became available, Vettel was a loud voice in the German media putting forward a case for Mick Schumacher to get the drive, but Williams team boss James Vowles defied expectations and predictions by placing relatively unknown Franco Colapinto to replace fired Sargeant.

Speaking to Bild, this is what Vettel had to say about Schumacher: "If it were my decision, I would tend towards Mick. Of course, I am a little biased because he is my friend, but in my eyes, he is the best solution. Mick has two years of experience in Formula 1 as a driver, has a very broad technical insight through his current role, knows the Mercedes engine, and has matured a lot as a person since leaving Haas."

That was the end of 2022. Since then, the German can be seen watching the telly over Toto Wolff's shoulder during Grand Prix weekends or doing track time with Peugeot in the 2024 World Endurance Championship (WEC).

Vettel continued: "Mick is a good racing driver. He has won Formula 2 and Formula 3—that's not a given. Now he has gained even more maturity. I am sure that he could convince Williams. Especially since, unlike other candidates, he knows the Formula 1 field and the tracks. That is a big advantage."

But it will be little known—until now—that 21-year-old Argentinian Franco Colapinto, a one-time and current Formula 2 winner but decisively part of the Williams junior program, got the nod from Vowles. Not Schumacher.

Before the Colapinto's F1 debut was confirmed for this weekend's Italian Grand Prix, Vettel said, "I hope Mick gets the chance and can show the world what he's capable of. Mick was unfairly branded because of his two years at Haas. Of course, he made mistakes, but the car wasn't competitive. Many people have the wrong image of him."