per Autosport: Ferrari want Schumacher to test new cars Ferrari's chief race engineer Luca Baldisserri wants Michael Schumacher to stay involved in testing the Italian squad's cars once he retires at the end of the season. Schumacher announced at Monza he will stop racing in Formula One after 14 years when this season finishes in Brazil. Ferrari said Schumacher, who will be replaced by Kimi Raikkonen, would remain involved with them, and that his new role will be announced at the end of the year. Baldisserri said Schumacher will be missed for several reasons. "Schumacher has been with us for 11 years and I can say he's brought everything we have now: he's given us precious suggestions on work methods and he's been a role model not only at the wheel, but also in his professional approach," Baldisserri told Gazzetta dello Sport. "It will be a big problem to carry on at the same level without him. "I don't know Raikkonen well: we only have information from the engineers who worked with him at Sauber. Well, when he gets inside the car he gets his job done very well, he's very quick, but Schumacher knew how to do other things too and created an incredible relationship with the team. "He contributed to produce winning cars, while now it will be up to us to give the driver a car capable of winning. "I've already asked (Jean) Todt and (Stefano) Domenicali to convince him to test our cars. After all, driving is the thing he loves most." Race and test technical manager Nigel Stepney also predicted it will be difficult to cope without Schumacher. "It will be a difficult winter," he said. "We are losing what has been for us the focal point all these years, that's why I'm saying pre-season testing will be difficult for us, because we'll have to build with Kimi the same level of confidence." - - - - - - What future awaits Michael? we must be patient and time will tell.. Carol
I like the suggestion that MS would be a roving ambassador for Ferrari. Whatever the circumstances of his retirement, he is obviously held with high regard within the Scuderia and the tifosi as a whole, and an ambassadorial role would be a perfect fit for the initial stages (1-3 years) of his retirement. His workload would be minimal and he'd be able to meet & greet his adoring fans, as well as boost road car sales & F1 sponsorships revenues. Sounds like a match made in heaven to me. Can you imagine at the next new F-car launch, MS driving it onto the podium? I can hear the wallets opening as I speak.
I think MS would be a great spokesperson/tester/figure/ambassador to Ferrari. Maybe now top gear can get him on to take a lap in the reasonably priced car and see how he compares to the other retired F1 drivers lol.
What in the world could motivate Michael to test F1 cars? He certainly doesn't need the money, and why would he demote himself to testing and work to make it easier for somebody else to win races? Let Kimi do his own work.
I vote that Michael take on the development of a massive sports car program with the 430-599 and a new prototype car to crush all possible opposition. We want to win LeMans overall!!! Bob
I would like to see that too! Ferrari back in sportscars, not only GT1 & 2, but LMP1 for Le Mans and ALMS, but I doubt it will happen. Their last win at Le Mans was in 1965!!! Also, MS is not really an endurance expert, although he raced with Sauber-Mercedes many years ago.
Want to start a rumor that Schumi is behind the Midlands take-over? He's gotten bored at Ferrari, now he's going to bring back Jordan F1. I'd love to see Ferrari go back to its roots. But most racing venues today are too over-regulated to permit different kinds of cars to compete. GT2 is pretty much the P-car series, GT1 is Vettes and similar, Ferraris would need a whole new category. (I'd like to see a straight GT3 vs Vette vs. 433 fight, but that prolly ain't gonna happen either.)
You took the words right out of my mouth. Isn't Todt leaving, too? Why would Michael want to stay anymore?
Here's a thought. How about Michael starting his own team in cooperation with Ferrari or other? Not sure about the logistics but wouldn't that make sense? Much like other athletes going on to owning and or coaching after they retire. He'd have no problem with funding and support. I'd bet this would be totally up his ally. You heard it first here folks
Yeah, ask Prost about that. The LAST thing anyone of MS's stature needs is to be involved in the political circus of running an F1 team on a daily basis. Besides, why run his own team 'in conjunction with' Ferrari or anyone else when he currently OWNS Ferrari ?
My guess is he will get to test the cars as part of his role as the Jean Todt's successor....just a wild guess but given all the comments comming from the team about his ability to pull a strong team together and keep them motivated it may be a possibility
Carol, thanks for the thread, I read that on a different site as well. That would be great if he could continue in that capacity at Fiorano.
