http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/72568 By By Jonathan Noble and Michele Lostia Wednesday, December 24th 2008, 10:50 GMT Ferrari plan to open discussions with Michael Schumacher next year to decide if they should continue their association with the seven-times world champion. Schumacher's contract as an advisor to Ferrari's F1 and road car work expires at the end of 2009, and the team say that nothing is yet decided about whether they will extend their partnership. Speaking to Italian magazine Autosprint, Ferrari team principal Stefano Domenicali clarified Schumacher's situation for next year - and hinted that he was open minded about where the team would go from here. "He still has a contract with us for next year, so he'll stay with us," Domenicali said about Schumacher's immediate future for 2009. "The activities he has done with us both in the road car department and in the racing one will carry on. "However, and I'm just saying this from a personal point of view, it's clear that everything must be assessed for what it can bring. So, during the season we'll have discussions to understand whether this collaboration will keep on going." Things must be bad if they are thinking of giving MS the axe.
my guess is that ms wants to drive. just look at him. he is fit and in last year's winter testing he was fastest of all. i think he wants to get in a car and give it another go. the trick is to get into a ride that has potential...
really, i read that differently? to me it sounds with the global economy in disarray, even MS doesn't have a safe seat.
Sadly I agree with mkultra. Seems fair to eliminate MS, since Ferrari does already have plenty of support already, MS is just collecting huge checks every month for just being around.
Agreed. I think they're just assessing their ROI with Michael--I have no idea how much true benefit they reap from him.
Michael Schumaker has a very enviable life regardless of the economy. Michael is a winner regardless of the car he drives. I remember the technological gap between Benetton and Williams when he first started. He mostly finished in third behind Mansell and Patrese which were the 1 - 2 victories for Williams. Two years later when the rules changed, outlawing most of the technological advantages that Williams had, the Benetton team started winning races because the technological gap was eliminated. Michael drove to victory after victory and Benetton had a few championships in a row. The rest is history... Michael is a winner.
What'd they sell 98 cars worldwide last month give or take? They're quietly starting to look at everything and ways to cut where they can. I'm sure if KR looks to have another season like last year his head will be on the block too.
im not sure exactly what he does with the team, but im sure his being there would only help. from docos and books ive read, interviews from engineers and other drivers is that MS is as much of an engineer than just a driver. knowing what changes will make certain effects on the track. that said, hes probably charging a whole heap to be there since i doubt he would still have any sponsors depositing lump sums in his bank account.
I doubt it's because of what they are paying him, what 5 million or so? What they get in PR and sponsors just because he's still with the team must be worth it.
If they are not doing so well financially then they may see him as a bit of an expensive luxury to have around.
The Scuderia doesn't take any money from the Fiat car group's marketing budget. They are financed through sponsorship deals.
