Thats Massimo Conti. He was one of Mikes favourite mechanics for 6 years in F1. He now lives here in Toronto. This past weekend we were up at Mont Tremblant for the Ferrari festival and the Challenge series. Great guy and really knows his stuff. He will be doing my engine out service next week.
He won't. its going to be physical training and a lot of simulator. Maybe he will drive a few straight lignes, but he will really test the 21 august on practice with all the other. If the alguersuari kid has been able to do so....
All they have to do is sell him a car for $1, making the sale conditional that the car is all they say it is, and rent personal use time at Barcelona for him to see if it worth the buck.
I think he was scared to have Kimster as a team-mate as Kimi was on his game back then. The unknown. That is no longer the case. He came back because he lives and breaths F1. He would probably do it for free. Look at recordings of his last race celebration. Turn off the sound. Use your eyes. Forget the interviews and press releases. It was true; He WAS Ferrari F1 and Luca wouldn't have that. I think he cares too much about Ferrari F1. It was his Camelot. I think it reinforces them. Luca thought MS was bigger than himself. Because he was. When MS left, the team almost immediately started to unravel to the point of where it is now. Directionless. Luca (and Mike) think that the magic can be resurrected. Perhaps it can. What a cool time to be watching F1.
I actually teared up reading this. What a great resurrection for a season that's been dogged by all of the political drama. If I wasn't a student and had the means to, I'd be at Spa. Forza Ferrari! Get well Felipe.
I thought he should retire when he did so he could kick back, enjoy family & friends & life, but if hes going to race motorbikes he might as well race F1.
The answer: Simulators. It's not perfect but it's certainly going to help. And, it's not part of the testing ban.
Yea, I wonder if that's going to be more of a problem then he thinks? I'm sure doctors will some how numb it up if it starts to get in the way.
brilliant, brilliant news .. I dreamed that this would happen, but not for a second did I think it ever would! Really it's the perfect scenario for him to return. He gets to race the remainder of the season as a favour to Ferrari; no one honestly expects anything from him given the performance of the F60 this year. If he is an also ran, well that's the car's fault. If he beats expectations then it's all Schumi. Either way, Ferrari are happy, sponsors are happy, fans are elated, F1 is popular again & Bernie makes more $$. Now, let's see him turn water into wine! Welcome home Michael.
btw, do we know whether he is allowed to test last years car at all (purely to improve his race fitness); or is any testing banned?
Now THAT is an excellent question. At what point does "testing" not apply to a particular vehicle? Maybe no one ever thought about that.
I hope you right and I believe he will amaze all his critic's. We must not forget though that he is merely a sub so it is not a true comeback.
Schumi, eh? Well, I guess if that's the best they can come up with to replace Massa, ... I wonder if part of the motivation for this return was to deny those rumors. Remember the reason he said it was?: "To make room for Felipe." (Remember Felipe? -- the guy who missed a WDC last year by one turn (or one engine failure, or one fuel hose). At least when Shumi turns the car back over to Massa this year or next, people will really believe he's moving aside for Felipe. I'm not expecting all that much. The F60 is a bit of a dog, and last time Schumi raced in F1, the tires had grooves. Remember, Michael has never raced in Valencia. Felipe put up 22 points over five races. Kimi's managed 18 over the last seven. The car's improving, so I'd guess around 20-25 points for Schumi over the last seven races. But since Kimi is already 18 points ahead of Schumi, I wonder if Michael is going to have to be on the other side of team orders for a change.
I will gather my 5yr old triplets & we will all watch the Master make his return .... this is Unbelievable !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Schummy will finish out the rest of 2009 - Massa will not be ready to return to the rigours of an F1 car in this year after recovering from a basilar skull fx. Can you imagine FA's reaction at not being able to race at Valencia and having the mob scene in Spain of MS's return?! Coronation comes to mind.... What if Schummy does very well for the second half of the season? Does he quietly walk away for 2010? Is Fernando coming in 2010? And Massa? - so loyal to Ferrari. Where's Kimi in all this, out on some yacht in 2010? Who will pair for 2010? I can finallly answer "There!" to my 6 year old who remembers and always asks "Where's Michael Schumacher?" when we're watching F1. WOW!!!
The official word from Ferrari.com is "possibly", so many news services are over quoting each other with thier Scoop. Michael's involvment in FXX and other programs would keep his reflexes up, and he will not be the oldest one to drive F1 remember Sir Jack.
I doubt money had much to do with his decision..just helping out the team in their time of need and probably also looking out for Felipe. Massa won't worry about his seat being usurped if it is Michael in it and that has to be good for his recovery. It think he will be up to his speed very quickly, whether that is first forth or 15th in the F60. I bet the three weeks to prepare factored into his decision too. Kimi will be motivated which is also good, lets hope the two don't knock each other out though. : ) This scenario lets him get back in for a taste of the old days but is limited in duration. When Massa is better he can walk away and no one will doubt his doing so. In terms of diminshing his legend, he will still possess all his accolades from the past, no matter the outcome. All he has to do is put in respectable performances in his middle of the pack equipment. Massa can come to the race and give MS a few pointers now : ) PB
