Schumacher's Contract?

I believe his contract expires at the end of 2006. I hope his contract will not be renewed for more seasons. Do not get me wrong on this one, he is a great driver and has achieved allmost impossible things, but I am getting bored of him. Time for Ferrari to sigsn 2 new boys... Perhaps Kimi and Fernando...

 

Remember on thing guys, even if Schumi leaves at the end of 2005 or 2006, he will not be gone from Ferrari, since he is ambassador for life at Ferrari.

In relation to new blood, I think Rubens should stay and maybe have Fisico in the team, unless he has a great year this year with Renault.

Just my opinion, Later!!!!

 

Ferrari should sign Jenson Button and JPM.

 

Think Fisico doesn't want to downgrate. He is at the best F1 team now!!

 

If MS and RB are gone after 2006 they should go for...

-Liuzzi (if really he is the next young star like Kimi and Alonso)
-Raikkonen

 

Kimi Raikkonen and Fernando Alonso will be the next two drivers for Ferrari.

 

Now that would be some kind of lineup. I don't believe it will happen, only because I don't see either driver conceding to each others position on the "foodchain" if they're on the same team. Then again maybe I'll be wrong - who knows.

 

I wouldn't be surprised if we can't get either Kimi or Alonso.
In my opinion, Kimi will stay with McLaren forever just like Hakkinen. Ron Dennis likes Kimi.

The same could be said about Flavio with Alonso. Did you see Flavio's face when Alonso won his first race in 2003 and last week victory. When Fisichella won, Briatore didn't look look that happy. I'm telling you, Flavio will do anything to keep Fernando.
note: Flavio lost Michael Schumacher at Benetton.

 

Kimi is miserable at McLaren. He hates driving a car that keeps blowing up and limits his capabilities. Kimi's management and Ferrari agents have had initial talks to see if there is any interest. It just depends if and when Rubens and Michael decide to call it a day and if Kimi is available at that time.

Alonso will go where there is more money. He will stick to Renault as long as Renault pays more money than any other team. Ferrari will certainly put up more money than Renault. Do not misunderstand me. Renault can match any amount Ferrari put and probably double it. But Renault will not want to do that because it will be rational beyond a certain Euro ammount and not want to pay more than that.

 

If that ever happened with JPM, I am afraid my loyalty to Ferrari will have to go down the drain.

Carol

 

When Michael goes, wouldn't Rubens then be eager to try for the championship in his own right?

 

First off, Jean Todt has expressed several times that Ferrari rates Kimi very highly and will go after him once Michael calls it quits (which i do believe will be in 2006, even if he wins another championship or two). Ron Dennis loves Kimi and will do everything in his power to keep him but I believe Kimi's frustration with the lack of a competitive car since the 2003 season will send him to Ferrari. I don't know how else to describe it other than the talent is there, the equipment hasn't and I think he's pretty frustrated. We'll see how the season goes.

Ferrari WILL NOT and will never try to get JPM. I love him as a driver but not a team player at all.

Rubens will be on his way out from Ferrari, swapped to a top team, but no longer with Ferrari. Although Ferrari rates him as a superb driver, they will be in the position to scoop up F1's top young talent at Michael's departure - put it this way: Rubens would expect and should deserve the promotion to #1 at Ferrari once Michael is gone, but there is no way Kimi, Fernando, or another driver would accept that from a driver who has not won a championship -- just look at BAR when Jacques was there, Button would not stand down. Ferrari would be in a much better situation to take on Kimi and Fernando (or even Liuzzi (sp)) as equals and let them duke it out. Rubens will be fine and will find himself at another front-running team (swapped with Kimi?)

Finally I believe Fernando is already on his way to Ferrari. Flavio has stated that his motivation as team boss is on the wan but wishes to remain in F1 as Fernando's manager. Read b/w the lines on this one --- Ferrari, Flavio, and Fernando already know when Michael is headed out the door and have already made the proper arrangements to see Fernando in the red jumpsuit.

Just my opinion on all of this

 

I hope you're right. Those two would be my picks as well.

Last year I started to have doubts about Fernando, but this year he is back to his old form from 2003.

 

I don't see what the big deal is about Webber, for some reason? I don't know why.

 

When Ferrari dumped Alesi & Berger to pick up Schumacher. The Tifosi were outraged. They wanted nothing to do with that Arrogant German. Of course now no one would ever admit that happened.

 

Yes Michael's contract lasts until the end of 2006. What is perhaps more important is the fact that Ross Brawn, Jean Todt, and Paulo Martinelli all have contracts that end at the same time. Without them at the helm Kimi or whoever could find themselves joining Ferrari just as they start to slide back down the grid.

 

Recall that the Concorde Accords also expires around 2006. With Bernie's credit rating in the WC, there might not be anything recognizable as F1 after that. (The way the FIA's going, there might not be WRC after PSA pulls Peugeot and Citroen out.)

Enjoy the '06 season -- it might be the end of world class auto racing: with the fans base gabbing on cell phones in gridlock instead of driving, and with tobacco ads going out, the money just isn't there.

 

F1 will survive, too much money involved. It might look different, which I wouldn't mind for a change. Bernie has long ago started addressing the tobacco issue by venturing out of Europe into the Asian market.

 

Who pays what and who pays more?

Guys:
ALL F1 drivers will take a paycut to drive a Ferrari for a season! Remember it is the non-plus-ultra in F1 racing, no matter if they are competitive or not. It will always be "THE" car to be a driver for!

 

Famous last words for Alesi's career.

 

and he went out with a huge smile becasue he driove Ferrari. And because he is a true gentlemen he has a huge following and has great advertisement value, thus i s still recognized in Italy and France and still makes money of his celebrity. Not too bad for a "loser"

 

All true and I wish I would find one of his wine bottles some day (I do have a signed pair of his driving gloves).

Not trying to hijack this thread, but I always wondered whether his career would have been more fruitful if he hadn't given in to the mystique of becoming a Ferrari driver. Alesi in the rain was every bit as good as Schumacher in the rain. If not better.

 

It's been said by the Speed Channel annoucers many times during their broadcast of F1 Decade that he probably would've won a couple of championships if he had signed with Williams.

Although, I loved watching him drive for Ferrari.

Agree on his driving talet in the rain.