Or he gets smart and does like Massa, learn from the King and level up beyond his limits. Even if M.S comes back he won't stay forever, but Rosberg can just raise his game and get some serious value, he'll still be young in 1 or 2 years.
Some suggesting Schumacher to Mercedes-Benz a "done deal", chiefly LDM and Bernie. Not so fast boys... There's no such thing as a "done deal" in racing until an official announcement is made and that will come from Haug/Brawn not LDM. That being said, however, the longer this plays out, the more it's looking like it's going to happen.* It was more interesting to read Bernie's comments yesterday as any deal like this gets his approval first. Of course, he's panting like a Pavlov dog at the prospect of having Schumacher back after all the scandal plagued post-Schumacher seasons that he and Max created. For Ferrari fans, the tide would seem to be turning from the heydays of the "super team" as seemingly everyone involved has defected which seems to be the makings of a very bitter rivarly and, at the end of it all, it may be Todt who ultimately ends up being the one tested. For his part, Schumacher has the most to gain or lose. How good might he be now nearly four years out of the cockpit? With a young, hungry team mate such as Rosberg* in the mix, Schumacher's biggest problem may lie within the team as Rosberg is very much on the up and with competitive equipment, he may emerge as the man to beat in the Mercedes-Benz team. Hopefully, Rosberg hasn't signed on to be a clear #2 a-la Rubino just to placate Schumacher and the M-B bosses. Drivers such as Lauda and Prost have stepped away from F1 and returned to win championships. However, in both cases, this was after only a year out of the cockpit* and both had something to prove. Schumacher has nothing to prove. He's done it all and if the only reason he's coming back, after having left not on his own terms, is to show up LDM and Ferrari, then the motivation is all wrong and it could have dire results. If M-B were smart, they would have a shoot out test with Schumacher, Heidfeld and another young hot shoe like di Resta and let the stop watch decide who gets the seat, the results may be surprising. If the Brawn-Schumacher combination still has the magic, that is one thing. But, as if my hunch is correct, and Rosberg emerges as the pretender to the championship, this whole thing could become a moot subject. RM
Rosberg? Who is this guy Rosberg; he has never even won a F1 race. Though he does seem to like Steve's TV show... I would take MS any day of the week; especially on Sunday over some exciteable kid. CH
I would just like to point out that Rubens Barrichello never had that he was number 2 to Micheal in his contract. But his contract did state that he "must follow orders from the team" as did Micheal's . He also always had the identical machinery. His contract terms were publicly discussed a few years ago by Ferrari personal (If i remember correctly it was by Brawn).
German media reports suggest that the deal has been done subject to the fitness of the seven-time world champion. MS has stated to Luca he was going to drive for Merc but it was not 100-percent decided. So to sum it up I don't know ..
Indeed. Yesterday, 19th Dec, eve, Michael Schumacher signed contracts with Mercedes GP to race for them for one year, the 2010 world championship. This contract is subject to ongoing fitness tests to be concluded after late January. They are to pay him 6Meuro and his personal sponsorship, as I understand it, remains. It is suggested he is not interested in any support or developmental roles, only to drive with Nico Rosberg. Should be announced Tuesday. Mike
Good points to consider. I would like to ad the possibility that Schumacher sees "his sport" (the one that provided him with an incredible amount of riches in his life) is in dire straits. From the scandals to the exit of factory teams he quite possibly can be the sport's saviour. Schumacher saw how much buzz his near-return to F1 after Massa's injury and he probably realized how much the sport needed him. Additionally, having the chance to race three other F1 champions in their prime, Hamilton, Button and Alonso, here is his chance to settle the ongoing debate and prove if he is the greatest F1 champion to ever race. Cheers-Colin Firth-Ontario Canada
A-W-E-S-O-M-E! I'm not going to bet against him! I wonder what he'll cost in my fantasy league?...... Hmmm.....
Nico has some work to do!!! Should be fun to see this!! Too bad he is not in red! 'Schumi wants to add another title to his name' Tuesday 22nd December 2009 - PlanetF1.com If you thought Michael Schumacher's impending return to Formula One was just a publicity gimmick, then you will be in for a shock next year. The German is said to be ready to add 'to his unparalleled haul of seven drivers' titles' when he enters the 2010 World Championship. The 40-year-old is reportedly just days away from signing a deal with Mercedes GP that will see him return to the sport more than three years after his retirement. The Times claims that 'there are now no obstacles to Michael Schumacher's comeback next season with Mercedes Grand Prix and that his neck injury is not expected to be a problem.' When he eventually signs on the dotted line, Schumacher will team up with Nico Rosberg at Mercedes. The younger German, though, has made it clear in recent weeks that he is not prepared to play second fiddle, saying "at Mercedes, there is no hierarchy. It has always been commonplace, that there are two equal drivers." It appears there will be a genuine battle for top spot at team as Schumacher is also not ready to take a back seat. 'The impression gained is that the German wants to pick up where he left off with Ferrari when he retired in 2006,' the paper added. 'Those suggesting that he may see his role more as a mentor to Nico Rosberg, the 24-year-old who would be his team-mate, than a team-leading championship contender, are wide of the mark. 'He is said to be looking to add not only to his record 91 grand-prix wins, but also to his unparalleled haul of seven drivers' titles and he has already spent many hours discussing his new car with the Mercedes team.'
I'm not sure that this Medical check puts him in the clear yet. I read the same report on another site ( www.f1times.co.uk). The checks were by his own sports doctor Johannes Peil, and the quote were as follows from his manager Willi Weber "Michael is super-fit. Dr Peil said he has made giant progress,". Who knows if this is new info, as Micheal is said to be skiing in France currently with his family. To me it sounds like Weber is doing his clever manager role, trying to keep Micheal in the news, hence keeping sponsors interested, cause if the Mercedes salary quotes are accurate, Micheal will be looking to make as much if not more from his personal sponsors. Also, if you remember guys, before the last hyped return, his neck also appeared fine until he did full sessions in an F1 car, only then was he said to have had issues.. I think to avoid the mess of the last announced come back, nothing will be confirmed until he has tested.
^I agree. Which is why i'm keeping my fingers crossed. I think, from what i've gathered so far, an announcement is due on Tuesday, and MS will start testing in January? or February. However, that testing will be the final test MS must pass, before 'formally starting' his contract with Merc.
check the TimesOnline article... Says it all... http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/formula_1/article6964463.ece
MS back in silver will make quite a few folks on here feeling slightly scizophrenic next season. Cant wait to see Alonso, Vettel and Hami drive circles around the aging champ.
You may be right... My heart would love to see MS come back and dominate with Ross Brawn, but I can't imagine the level of excitement the young guns now have knowing they will be able to prove themselves against such an icon in F1 history. The stage is being set for an epic year...
Michael Schumacher alone can add more to the sport than a bad economy, sex and driving scandals and a thinning field can take away from it. Just shows the impact one person (the right one) can have.
All true. Just imagine for a moment JV or Hakkinen would declare their comebacks. Barely anybody would notice.
It'll be interesting to see if this is Gretzky Part Deux, Joe Montana, Orenthal Simpson, Joe Namath, etc. On the one hand, race drivers don't have their bodies racked up by collision-force injuries like athletes in other professions, but I still wonder if there will be a drop off after 4 years away from the sport. I would expect it early on, but I wouldn't bet against him as the season progresses. Still, I think guys like Alonso and Hamilton will prove to be a headache regardless. You can probably toss Vettel in there also. (although I won't go so far as to say they'll drive circles around him, but I think there time is now while MS' ended 6 years ago)
If you consider how RB is doing now, I think MS will do well. MS has mind control and discipline probably like no one else. He certainly won't be any laughing stock.
In a way, this reminds me of my personal previous professional career as a studio saxophonist. I played and practiced professionally for some time and had no issue keeping up with the very best in the business. I changed professions to have more stability in my life for my family, but I still practice albeit not as much as I used to. Recently, an opportunity arose in which I replied I would be glad to throw my hat in the ring for this one engagement. I focused practice habits and physically conditioned myself (yes, top level playing requires conditioning) for a little over 3 weeks and managed to get my game back to 100%. Given more time, I am sure I could improve further. I know I could not put myself through this regimen again at 50, but at 31 it is a non-issue as I am sure it will be at 40. Anyone who has been to a session at the Village in New York knows exactly how focused and physically demanding this stuff can be. I see F1 as very much the same way.
Was that neccesary? How is that in any way logical? Greatest Champion of all-time returns n wipes the floor with these punks. BTW I do agree about the scizophrenic part..Im Ferrari forever,,I just wish they would get rid of Alonso n get Michael in the car...O OOO...wait a minute. One-year agreement? Just enough to get Alonso his year at Ferrari and let him go back to Renault to partner Kubica in 2011 and beyond. As for Schumi, Ferrari return in 2011 so he can truely retire where his best years happend.He's gunnin for 10 WDC. ANd I wont doubt him of his goals. Alonso is overrated. Yet he's in red so i'll have to root him on.
We'll see about that. To me the punk sits in the silver car. The guy who bumped his way to his first title by taking out Hill, bumped into JV to stop JV from becoming a WDC, parked in Rascasse to prevent Alonso from taking pole, brake checked JPM in the Loews tunnel, pushed his brother almost into the wall at Nuerburgring, pushed his team mate almost into the wall in Monaco. Just to name a few of the better known fouls he committed.
