Mick Schumacher has not yet conceded that his plans for a Formula 1 return in 2025 have fallen through.
It is widely speculated that Audi-owned Sauber, with the last available seat on the grid for next year, has chosen to keep Valtteri Bottas on board for at least one more season.
"You can understand Audi's position," former F1 executive Bernie Ecclestone told sport.de. "When they enter, they need their number 1 driver and a number 2. They will need a lot of help to protect their brand. They can't just sit around and do nothing."
When asked about Audi's reported decision to retain Bottas as Nico Hulkenberg's teammate next season, 93-year-old Ecclestone replied, "Time will tell."
He also acknowledged that this is a significant setback for Schumacher, describing him as a "warm-hearted person" who is "talented enough" for Formula 1.
"He has not been given the right opportunity so far," Ecclestone commented, blaming former Haas boss Gunther Steiner's management style for hampering Schumacher's first F1 stint.
"He (Mick) doesn't need people telling him off all the time," said the Briton. "He needs someone to help him and not criticise him too much."
"If Michael (Schumacher) were here, he would have told Gunther where to go. That would help a lot," Ecclestone added.
Schumacher admitted that his current role in F1, serving as Mercedes' reserve driver, is starting to wear thin.
"If you haven't been in Formula 1, it's certainly very nice," the German told Bild newspaper. "But if you've been in F1, you would of course prefer to be in the corners rather than sitting next to them."
When Bild asked Schumacher if it's true that Bottas has secured the Audi-Sauber seat over him, he replied, "Time will tell. Time is of the essence at the moment."
"But there is nothing to say at the moment," he added.
When asked whether an all-German lineup alongside Hulkenberg would be good for Audi and Germany, Schumacher enthusiastically agreed, saying, "Absolutely. Absolutely."
Another recent contender for the final 2025 seat was Gabriel Bortoleto, who reports suggest received McLaren's approval to be loaned to Audi.
However, Fernando Alonso, who manages the 19-year-old's career through his A14 company, hinted that Sauber's uncompetitive seat might not be ideal for Bortoleto.
"He will still have time to come to Formula 1, but we must not try to shorten this path, as this could negatively affect the development of his talent," Alonso told motorsport-magazin.com.
"He also has to be in the right team and in the right atmosphere. Now the decision is up to Sauber, but Gabriel is definitely a very promising driver - all the teams understand that," Alonso concluded.
