As Ferrari staged a nearly three hour 'crisis meeting' at Maranello, Niki Lauda leapt to the defence of Michael Schumacher. It is believed that Schumacher, the Italian team's seven time world champion and advisor, was not invited to the meeting chaired by President Luca di Montezemolo. The meeting followed Ferrari's worst start to a world championship since 1992, where after the Malaysian Grand Prix at the weekend the Italian and German press chided Schumacher's role in the strategy blunders. Even French newspapers joined in, one suggesting that Sepang proved that 'the Schumacher myth is over'. "There should be more respect for a seven time world champion," his manager Willi Weber told Sport Bild. Former champion Lauda, although scolding the team for making a wrong call last Sunday, now defends Schumacher. He deflects the criticism to Ferrari, for leaving Schumacher's actual role too ambiguous. "If I was Ferrari I would have Michael on the pitwall," said the Austrian, "and not half-way here and half-way there. "He would be making decisions a hundred times better than some engineer. What would I say to Ferrari? 'Use his experience! Put him up there!' There is no-one better," Lauda added. It is rumoured that Stefano Domenicali does not have plans to summon Schumacher to the third round of the championship in China next weekend.
just more evidence of ferrari's bad decision making in recent months. at this point i wouldnt blame schumacher if he went to help the evil mclaren team improve their car. as much as i'd hate to see that at least they'd probably be willing to listen and accept his help.
I think Schuey obviously felt a sense of obligation to Ferrari/Brawn/Todt as they were literally "the dream team" for so many years. Once Todt and Brawn were dismissed I'm sure Schuey probably felt a little like an outsider. With such a poor start to the season and Schuey being partially to blame for last week's debacle (or so they're saying) it might be time for him to bid adieu as well.
I wouldnt take much notice of Niki Lauda, a great champion and driver but i wouldnt bet on his tip at the derby!! Thought i saw Schumacher was on the pit wall, he didnt look that happy and at one point looked like he had just eaten a lemon. Probably dismayed at the attempt of some Ferrari personel to make a proper decision.....or was it his call? Had it worked it would have been a master stroke, but it didnt and they look chumps. Full wets in the dry was a huge mistake of biblical proportions. Like their lollipop system, they need to go back to basics and learn a fundamental lesson, just because you have a red car with a prancing horse on it, doesnt auotmatically give you the devine right to win. You have to earn it, unfortunatel complacency has crept into the team. I remember John Barnards second stint at Ferrari. In an interview later, he stated that he held his head in his hands on more than one occasion. I have no doubt they will recover, but they do, as NL correctly pointed out, need experience. To engineer a new car and aero package will take time, thats if the FIA do not ban [or clarify] the double diffuser concept. I believe its not just a bolt on modification, the whole aero package has to be re-configured Tony
I could see Schumi going to Brawn. I may very well be off on this, but his role as advisor seems to be a "gratuity" of sorts to me. Kind of like, "Well we kind of pushed him out and we'll just keep him on as an "advisor" to appease everyone. I wonder how much voice he actually has. I'm not sure what role he would play at Brawn, but I have a feeling he'd be much more valued and utilized there than he currently is at Ferrari. Again, could be wrong, that's just how I see things.
This is what I suggested yesterday. MS should be working on distancing him from the F-lounders and decide what he wants to do next, either team up with Brawn etc. or back off all together. I'm not sure he knows what he wants at this point? Sounds like F are going to stop throwing money at him and he'll probably wait and see what else arises in the meantime.
Did I miss it somewhere? All these folks are saying MS made the call to go to full wets 10 minutes too early last weekend. Is that even his call to make? And now, some French newspaper is dogging him? On what evidence? Jimmy
Schumacher was offered the job of Team Principal by Jean Todt before Todt stepped down. If he'd even hinted that he'd consider doing it, the job would have been his - but he was adamant that he did not want to dedicate that much time, and flat out turned them down. It's not like Ferrari is stupid for not wanting Schumacher's experience - the reality is that Ferrari offered him the Team Principal job, and Schumacher didn't want it.
They should have sacked Domenicali already last year. And the drivers. I am not at all surprised they have started like they have.
the driverS ?? whats against Massa ?? with a properly working Ferrari he would be World Champion 2008 !
From what i know, most fuel/tyre decisions, it's between the drivers and the engineers. The drivers provide the feedback, and the engineers make the calculation. The team boss just hang around to make sure things are in control.
I'm not sure what everyone's problem is with the drivers. Look at Hamilton crappy car, not great results. Button: everyone thought he was a bust driver until this year and now he has a great car. I think the big problems are in the car and the management. Fix that first. Contrary to what most people think Kimi and Felipe are great drivers. Put a good car and a functional team behind them and there is no contest.
There was a "rumor" (don't know where it came from) that he made the call to switch Kimi onto full wets. Everyone involved has denied it btw.
It says something about the current state of the Ferrari F1 team that even who is making the tire call can't be stated clearly. Domenicali seldom offers more than weasel words when he is not screaming at someone. A vote of confidence from LdM is the first sign Domenicali's days are numbered...yay Put MS in charge and get the job done right! CH
Great drivers dont always have the acumen to run a team. Numerous examples I would say MS would be better employed to be a development tester. But then how he likes a car to handle may not be to FM & KR liking. He needs to learn the way things are done, unfortunately there are not many who can teach him properly!! The team were in disarray last year so the writing was on the wall. they lost the drivers title due to serious mistakes, some beyond belief. So it comes as no surprise they are in a turmoil this year too. Tony
+1 Very few truly *great* athletes make good "head coaches" - Same kind of problem... It came too easy to 'em - Which is partly why I disagree with; Not gonna work IMHO. What!..... Probably outside of Ross and Jean there is nobody who knows "the way things are done" better than him! He did it (with others, obviously) for *years*. Was by far the most successful at "it". Put him in *charge* and let's see - Can't be any worse than what we've got And yes, I know I've contradicted myself here Cheers, IAn
Agreed, Massa was robbed----by Ferrari! Not just mechanical problems, but pit and strategy gaffes. I think the drivers should definitely stay, but it's time for new management. They definitely aren't the Dream Team of only several short years ago.....
Very true Ian that MS has acheived great things in the seat of a car, but he did make numerous poor decisions (driving accidents) during is tenure in the seat of a racing car. Racing and man management are entirely different voccations. Tony
