Michael forced out of Ferrari?

Conjucture? Maybe, but many people feel that way. Anyone inside of Ferrari may not admit it but when do they admit anything. It's a reporter's job to get such info, who knows who his sources might be.

 

That's my point. Another reporter will say the complete opposite, and many people feel that way also. So who do you believe? The one that agrees with your opinion, the one you want to believe, that is who you will believe.

My point is they could be wrong, it is all guessing, and until you hear it from the mouth of the subject, you really still do not know.

 

True enough,they could be wrong, but i don't think i've heard of anyone reporting anything opposite of that. The timing of the announcements and all that make the story even more believeable but you're right, other than the main protagonists, no one knows for sure. Unless James Allen has a Ferrari mechanic on his payroll....

 

I tried that, he took my money and didn't tell me anything. Except his mother's recipe for tomato sauce. Although, I must admit, it was really fine.

:} Good night all.

 

Goodnight, Ron....

 

I do think Michael was asked to commit to a decision one way or other so that future plans could be set. As far as Todt's reaction, he and Michael go a long way back and Todt was overcome knowing that that is about to come to an end soon. Todt seems to be a nice guy who really cares and is probably a little emotional. Luca on the other hand is all about what it good for the co. and is always looking forward. No big deal but it's how they each operate.

 

Has anyone thought that Michael decided to retire just so Massa wouldn't be relagated to another team or test driver. Massa still has a lot of his career left, and is growing up in his driving. MS is at the end of his career, and maybe wanted to let Massa take the spot, and develop his career. I think there is a good chance he willingly gave up his seat to give Massa more opportunity.

 

Schumacher had no pressure to retire

14 September 2006

As the dust settles on Michael Schumacher's retirement announcement, speculation has mounted over whether Ferrari bosses had pressured him into announcing his retirement.


"Ferrari was incredibly gracious and left it all up to me to say when," Schumacher said. "I know there has been much speculation but the announcement timing was right for me. I did wonder whether to wait until the end of the year."

However, F1 boss Bernie Ecclestone added fuel to the fire after the Sport Bild magazine quoted him as saying, "Michael had to make a decision when he really didn't want to."

 

I believe Todt was quoted as saying the following from F1.com- "Some people have speculated that Michael made his decision because he did not want to compete with Kimi - they are simply stupid,"

 

I think most of the tension was that Michael didn't want to have to make an announcement while the championship was still in question. Eventually, he ran out of dithering time.

So anyone want to guess which way the WDC was a factor:
- Did he want to wrap up his 8th and go out a winner?
- Did he decide to retire before his WDC hopes revived and wanted to stay to defend it?

Second-guessing other people's decisions is quite a pasttime.

If he could make his decision after the season, which way do you think he'd have picked if he'd won his 8th? If he hadn't?

 

Some F1 insider you are if you don't know who James Allen is...

Well, I was never at Appomatox and I have never actually seen the articles of surrender but I am pretty sure the Civil War is over.

 

Apparently you have never read a newspaper in your life.

Reporters get scoops all the time and leaks are a way of life.

 

I think that is the most ridiculous statement on this thread.

MS retires because he is concerned about Massa's fate? Nonsense

 

Ditto!!

 

Glad we put that to bed......whew!

He hasn't left Ferrari at all, that much Luca has reiterated.....they traditionally firm up team structure at the season's end, for next year.

 

I think twk63 pretty much has this nailed down.
An additional factor would be the combined salaries of MS and Kimi would be astronomical.
Factor in thoughts of going out on top, living to see another year (although F1 is as safe as it gets in motorsports) and the gradual slowing that occurs with age. Although I feel he had great years left.
Increibly enough sometimes people, MS, Luca, Etc. say thing in public that dont always coincide with what is actually happening behind tha scene. Perish the thought.
MSs concern over Masa......right.
It probably was presented to MS somewhat like this.. "Ok, heres the deal. Your no longer boss, please train your replacement, and Oh, that pay raise...lets talk cut."
In the end , and this is OT, the one thing I would have liked to see is Fisi as a #2 at Ferrari , he would have drove for free , and enjoyed every second.

 

There was no issue with salaries if Michael and Kimi were on the same team, Marlboro's parent already announcd they would cover the tab.

I really doubt the senario you presented would have happened. Todt wanted to keep Schumacher on the team, so did the primary sponsor. If Michael wanted to drive for more money, he would have taken the one year stint at BMW.

But you are correct abut the comments made in public, can not believe much of it, or you have to read between the lines. Then some reporter does an article and people read it and believe what they want to believe, even if it inaccurate.

 

Or some reporter does his homework, gets the story and the news becomes public.

If I had a nickel for every F1 rumor reported in the press, denied by the principals, and then eventually proven true...

 

You still would be just a glorified tabloid critic!