Schumi to drive for Mercedes?

[Willie Trombone]

http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/20112009/58/schumacher-drive-mercedes.html

Eddie Jordan is convinced that seven-times world champion Michael Schumacher will return to the grid in 2010 to drive for Mercedes Grand Prix.

Since taking over Brawn GP, Mercedes have been expected to put together an all-German driver line-up to rival McLaren's all-British team of Jenson Button and Lewis Hamilton.

Former Williams driver Nico Rosberg is set to be unveiled as one of the two, with BMW-Sauber refugee Nick Heidfeld presumed to be the other - until late speculation that Schumacher could return.

Schumacher's spokeswoman Sabine Kehm played down the rumours, despite conceding that she would never say never, and Jordan believes the lure of the competition is one that has proven too strong for the 91-time grand prix-winner to resist.

"The possibility is being actively pursued and I believe it is going to happen," Jordan told the BBC.

"It started with a meeting between Michael, Ross Brawn and Daimler chief executive officer Dieter Zetsche at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.

"At the moment, it is not possible for Michael to drive for Mercedes because he has a consultancy contract with Ferrari - but I understand he was due to meet Ferrari President Luca di Montezemolo with a view to him being released, and that it will be approved because it is in the interests of F1.

"I believe that is being planned at the moment.

I also believe Ross (Brawn) and Michael have spoken in recent times, and that Michael likes the idea of driving a Mercedes run by Ross - it's a mouth-watering idea.

"Schumacher was bitterly disappointed he didn't get to come back to replace Massa he's keen to race again, and this is a dream for both parties.

"Michael and Mercedes go way back he drove for their sportscar team before he raced in F1, and they were responsible for getting him into F1.

"They paid the then Jordan team to give him his debut in 1991. He has won all these titles but never driven in F1 for Mercedes."

Mercedes is understood to be eager to secure Schumacher's services on a one-year deal only, prior to prising young hot-shot Sebastian Vettel away from Red Bull Racing in 2011, when there will still be a season left to run on the 22-year-old's current contract.

The move would also make sense in that Schumacher and Brawn collaborated together extremely successfully both at Benetton and Ferrari - with the Englishman brilliantly helping to engineer the Kerpen native to all seven of his drivers' crowns - and it was with Mercedes that the latter first shot to prominence in sportscar circles before making his name in F1.

In addition, the motorcycling neck injury that kept Schumacher from filling in for Massa is expected to be healed by the end of the year, making it feasible that the most successful driver in the history of the sport could return.

Though he recently renewed his contract with Ferrari, Schumacher's ambassadorial duties are now focussed predominantly on road car development and testing, with no longer any active role inside the Scuderia.

 

[Ou grote]

he won't

 

[Willie Trombone]

he won't

Lol... maybe you should add to your statement. Of course we know it's your opinion but you must have some motivation to make it more interesting?

 

[Ou grote]

Lol... maybe you should add to your statement. Of course we know it's your opinion but you must have some motivation to make it more interesting?

Check his age for starters.
The dude is retired and happy.

 

[Alan]

Some professionals can't let go. Just look at Armstrong. Still I doubt it will happen.

 

[Willie Trombone]

Check his age for starters.
The dude is retired and happy.

I'll concede on the first one, but not convinced on the second one... don't underestimate mid life crisis lol. He is still doing pretty well at ROC as he showed this year, he has what it takes for a short stint.

I still don't think he will return myself and think this is media hype and no more. The value of Eddie Jordan's opinon took a dive after his Heinz Harald Frenzen dealings IMO.

 

[Creag]

I'll eat my hat if he comes back ... he appears to be quite happy with his role at Ferrari.

 

[Willie Trombone]

I'll eat my hat if he comes back ... he appears to be quite happy with his role at Ferrari.

Though he recently renewed his contract with Ferrari, Schumacher’s ambassadorial duties are now focussed predominantly on road car development and testing, with no longer any active role inside the Scuderia’s F1 team.

http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/20112009/58/schumacher-drive-mercedes.html

 

[Creag]

/where's that bloody hat...

 

[Ou grote]

I'll concede on the first one, but not convinced on the second one... don't underestimate mid life crisis lol. He is still doing pretty well at ROC as he showed this year, he has what it takes for a short stint.

I still don't think he will return myself and think this is media hype and no more. The value of Eddie Jordan's opinon took a dive after his Heinz Harald Frenzen dealings IMO.

The other obvious thing is that Shumi was a winner.
No way in hell he'll come back to lose races.
There was no pressure on him to join earlier this year, would've just been some fun for him, nothing to lose.

Just PR - that is all.

 

[killadoob]

I think he will come back.

He misses it hugely in my opinion and had it not been for an injury he would have driven this year.

While he is old he looks in great shape and who says a 40 year old cannot race? Damon hill made a com back if i recall but he was fat so it never worked out haha but shumi looks in good knick.

I sure hope he comes back, show these kiddies a thing or 2 about racing .

 

[Brawler]

TBH I dont think I have watched a full race since he retired.. bring him back I say.

 

[Creag]

TBH I dont think I have watched a full race since he retired.. bring him back I say.

Agreed ... F1 just has not been the same. Massa comes a close second for me. Will be interesting to see what Alonso can do in the Ferrari, though.

 

[AMG133]

doh, didnt see this thread, but ya I doubt Ferrari will allow it and doubt Schumi will be disloyal to SF