http://en.f1-live.com/f1/en/headlines/news/detail/090728002834.shtml Quote With Felipe Massa recovering from last Saturday's Hungarian Grand Prix qualifying crash and doubts regarding his eventual return to the F60's cockpit this season - Ferrari must now make use of the summer break to name the driver who will temporarily occupy the injured Brazilian's seat. The Formula One world is quick to start up rumours and several names are already floating as possible candidates - names which have appeared out of logic, out of possibility, and also out of wishful thinking. One name to quickly appear was that of Michael Schumacher, closely tied to Ferrari and still serving as a consultant. While his long-time agent Willi Weber doesn't believe the seven-time champion will race, Schumacher himself has not commented and some sources believe he might actually be thinking about it. Fernando Alonso is also being pointed out as a possibility since there already exist persistent rumours regarding a switch to the red-clad team next year. That implies of course that Renault boss Flavio Briatore would be willing to 'lease' his star driver to Ferrari, at a time when all the signs indicate he is on the verge of replacing Nelson Piquet. The odds of seeing Renault fielding two rookies are slim, and Briatore owes Ferrari no favours. Since Renault has been suspended by the FIA for the next race following the Hungarian GP's loose-wheel incident - a sanction the team has appealed - rumours see a one-shot Ferrari deal for Alonso in time for the European Grand Prix in Valencia, a situation which would satisfy many local fans and boost ticket sales for the Spaniard's second home race of the season. F1 CEO Bernie Ecclestone seems quite thrilled by the idea, but such a scenario would be a surprise. Sebastien Bourdais was recently sacked by the Ferrari-powered Toro Rosso team and is evidently available for a drive. His agent happens to be Nicolas Todt, who also watches over Felipe Massa. A few races aboard the F60 would be a golden opportunity for four-time Champ Car titleholder Bourdais, who needs to prove his worth as he seeks to continue his F1 career next year. The situation also allows for a hypothetical return of the Villeneuve name to Ferrari: 1997 World Champion Jacques Villeneuve is energetically working on his comeback, and securing a temporary contract with the Maranello-based team is surely on his mind. Whether connected to that possibility or not, Villeneuve cancelled a Bucharest appearance at the last minute on Monday. Williams test driver Nico Hulkenberg, rumoured to be a 2010 replacement for the much-in-demand Nico Rosberg, has also been mentioned in certain circles given that he is managed by Schumacher's agent Willi Weber. Of course, all these rumours regarding Massa's temporary replacement do not seem to address the fact that Ferrari has two test drivers contracted to get behind the wheel if the need arises: Marc Gene and Luca Badoer. Logically, both should be first choices, although that does not rule out hiring a guest driver. Team Principal Stefano Domenicali said options will be looked at in the coming days, while Ferrari President Luca di Montezemolo stated: "We'll make a decision when the time is right." Daniel BASTIEN © CAPSIS International
The new Concorde agreement would legally bind BMW to F1 until '12. So an in or out decision is really being forced on their board this week or next. Better news on the Massa front though - The Brazilian's personal doctor Dino Altman said on Tuesday that he was hopeful Massa's eye had not suffered any damage in the crash - as had been initially feared. "Felipe has opened his left eye and he can see," Altmann told ANSA. "There's no apparent damage. The eye is morphologically healthy." Ferrari team principal Stefano Domenicali visited Massa in hospital on Tuesday and was upbeat about how the driver was. "He has recognised me and told me he can't remember anything," he said. "Felipe is making encouraging progress so we look forward to his return soon. The future? We'll try to understand how he reacts, then we'll take our decisions."
he can see...........there is a god......... he cant remember........well well, if something hits you in the scon with the force of a steam train.....like derr
Sure brightened my day. I've been surprised how strongly I cared about his outcome. Had to stay out of the F1 section as I was going a little crazy each time some twit posted that pic of his face.
BMW out BMW confirmed this morning that they are to leave Formula One at the end of the season stating that the resources freed up from its exit from the sport will be deployed in other areas. The German car maker took over the Sauber team in 2006 and has since gone on to record one victory.
I am staggered. http://en.f1-live.com/f1/en/headlines/news/detail/090729190859.shtml As if to underline that nothing is ever predictable in Formula One, Ferrari announced Wednesday evening that Michael Schumacher is to stand in for the injured Felipe Massa at the forthcoming Grand Prix in Valencia and beyond. With Massa out of action due to the injuries sustained in qualification for the Hungarian Grand Prix and making a strong recovery, the rumour mill had been rife with speculation as to who would take over the F60 cockpit alongside Kimi Raikkonen as the Brazilian recuperates. Indeed, no less than 13 drivers had been linked with the drive amongst reports that the 40-year old seven-time champion was not interested in resurrecting his career with the Italian champions. "We have said before that it is possible that Michael Schumacher could return to help us out," head of communications Luca Colajanni said ahead of the official announcement. Schumacher last competed in the sport in 2006 where he finished second to Fernando Alonso in the standings, having secured no less than seven victories to add to his tally of 91 wins. "Scuderia Ferrari Marlboro intends to put Michael Schumacher in Felipe Massa's car until the Brazilian driver will be able to race again," the team stated. "Michael Schumacher said he is ready and over the next few days will undertake a specific training programme at the end of which confirmation will be given of his participation in the championship with effect from the European Grand Prix on the 23rd of August." A controversial figure despite his massive success in Formula One, Schumacher will be the centre of attention later this month as the series regroups following the summer break. Earl ALEXANDER © CAPSIS International
Your not the only one.... WOW just WOW..... and BMW leaving was the cherry on top with all this news.....
Unbelievable, isnt it? The only person worried should be Kimi, I suppose. Shumi hasnt raced at Valencia, so may not be right on the pace there, but wait for Spa and then MONZA!!!! Just what F1 needed, IMO. Now, how do we get Mika, Damon, Jacques and anyone else that tried to beat Michael back?
kimi must hate reading this stuff Niki Lauda staged a sensational comeback in the 1980s with McLaren and even went on to win his third world championship. He is sure 40-year-old Schumacher "will be brilliant" and could show up his new team-mate. "The most interesting thing will be to see him up against Kimi Raikkonen in the other Ferrari - who will be faster?" the Austrian told Britain's Daily Mail. "Put it this way: Kimi has to get his act together or be shown up. Eddie Jordan, who gave Schumacher his debut in 1991 and is equally enthusiastic about Schumacher's impending return, agrees that the situation will be a "big wake-up call" for Raikkonen. "You will see a new Raikkonen because he will not want to be disgraced by Michael Schumacher," the Irishman told BBC Radio 5 Live.
It will be intersting. I remember how excited John Todt was with signing Kimi. From memory he siad something along the lines of "I've got my favourite boys".
f1 needs some good news lately, mosley caught with hookers and bondage gear Bernie, saying publicly he admires Hitler Honda spitting the dummy BMW following them out the door Skidmarker has nothing to prove so it will be good entertainment
