After a long period of considering its driver options for Formula 1's 2025 season and beyond, Sauber found itself facing a clear choice between experience and youth. In the end the team opted for the second option, signing young Brazilian talent Gabriel Bortoleto.

This left other candidates, like the team's current driver Valtteri Bottas, or former Haas driver Mick Schumacher pretty disappointed, without any other option for a full-time F1 seat next year.

For Schumacher, it was the first light at the end of a tunnel, seeing the possibility to get back into the premier class after two years, but was left with nothing once again.

Firstly, Alpine was considering him for their 2025 as he was doing good for the team in the World Endurance Championship (WEC), even securing a third place in 6 Hours of Fuji. However, the Enstone-based squad opted to go with their reserve driver Jack Doohan instead.

The second and last chance for Schumacher was then Sauber, with even Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko calling on the team to give the young German a contract. However, that hasn’t worked out as well in the end with Gabriel Bortoleto clinching the spot for himself.

As the team is now undergoing a major transition to Audi, which should be completed in 2026, it seemed logical for some that the team might just fill the spot with Mick Schumacher as a test for one year and then either opt to extend his contract or go someone else.

So why has the team decided to sign a multi-year deal with Bortoleto and leave the son of Michael Schumacher once again with no seat? According to Sauber's boss Mattia Binotto there is no particular reason for it.

“We had several talks [with Schumacher], he was certainly a strong candidate.

“I know him very well from the past and I know his strengths and maybe his weaknesses as well, but certainly I think he would have been a good choice.

“I think there have been many candidates and Mick would have been certainly a good choice as well.

“Now sometimes you need to come to a decision. I think there is no reason why or blames for me, the reason simply goes we decided for Gabriel and that’s it.”

Binotto also noted that Mercedes made a similar choice by overlooking him when filling Lewis Hamilton's seat. Despite Schumacher’s role as a Mercedes reserve driver since last season, the team opted for Andrea Kimi Antonelli instead.

On the other hand, Franz Tost, former AlphaTauri team Principal, criticised Sauber for their decision.

“Mick is still young and has won both crucial junior classes, something Bortoleto has not yet achieved,” he highlighted for F1 Insider.

“In addition, he is very fast, has constantly improved during his two years with the Haas team.

“And now, in his role as a test driver [with Mercedes], has a lot of mileage experience with the current Formula 1 cars.”

He added that Schumacher, rather than Nico Hulkenberg, should have been the German driver prioritized by the team.

“In my opinion, he [Hulkenberg] doesn’t belong in Formula 1 anymore.

“They would be better off giving a young German like Mick Schumacher a chance.”

As things stand, Schumacher is likely to continue as a Mercedes reserve driver in 2025 while competing for Alpine in WEC and waiting for another opportunity to return to Formula 1.