Where will he go? Mick Schumacher's F1 future still uncertain after Haas axing

Mick Schumacher probably never expected his Formula 1 future to be cut short after just two seasons. Debuting in 2021 alongside the controversial Nikita Mazepin, the German wiped the floor with his Russian teammate at Haas.

In a car that underwent zero developments, Schumacher did more than his best to register good results - albeit outside the points.

But Schumacher slipped in 2022, with Mazepin ousted and Kevin Magnussen making his return. He was comprehensively beaten by his new teammate and failed to set the track alight as he did just last year. And sadly, two crashes in Saudi Arabia and Monaco, respectively, drew the team boss' ire.

Guenther Steiner was unhappy, and team owner Gene Haas did not smile at his expensive driver. The team can ill-afford to rebuild their cars, especially at a time when budget caps police every team's expenditure.

Sadly for Schumacher, the team opted to replace him with Nico Hulkenberg, who returns to a full-time racing seat for the first time since 2019. And without a drive for next year, what options does Michael Schumacher's son have for 2023?

Only two realistic options

Of course, Schumacher can look at options outside F1, but that is not an option. The driver's life is deeply embedded in F1, having grown up trackside as his father rewrote every notable record in the sport. He, too, is not bad behind the wheel, raking in championships en route to his 2021 debut.

But 2023 will be a year of reflection. A time to find himself as he bids to make a full-time return to the grid in 2024.

Earlier this year, Schumacher's management team and mother were in talks with several teams, including Alpine. Though the team opted to sign Pierre Gasly from AlphaTauri to partner Esteban Ocon next year, Alpine CEO