since when is F1 based on performance? I thought it was based on money you bring to table, sponsors, and fanfare. Michael excels at the top of the grid in all.
http://planetf1.com/news/3213/7807720/Schumi-Keeping-The-Faith-At-Merc-GP I can't get over Michael's determination. I can say that if I was in his shoes I would be letting the team have it in the media.
It is a blend of all of the above.....in the end it's the teams choice to put whom they want on the grid. In Michaels' case he brings so much to the table on and off the track Mercedes AMG Petronas feels it best to have him there. So much likely is happening behind the scenes that we are all not aware of that some of this discussion is idle conjecture, guess that makes it fun eh?
Mercedes planning for a time without Michael? Haven't they already been doing all they can this season to neutralize his contribution?
None of my flaws have anything to do with you, so not sure what you think I was working on. Add another flaw to your list, taking a week to respond!
If MS retires, Hamilton might end up at Mercedes: http://www.motorsport-aktuell.com/automobil/hamilton-und-mclaren-die-alternativen-gehen-aus-5036863.html . Norbert Haug hält die Tür auf: "Es ist kein Geheimnis, dass Lewis ein Teil der Mercedes-Familie ist", so der Motorsport-Chef gegenüber 'Sport Bild.' Translation: Haug keeps the door open: It is no secret that Lewis is part of the Mercedes family.
That would indeed be interesting, although I'm sure he would want to have a car that stays together! hah What's currently at the forefront of my mind though is if Michael will allow himself to go out like this. He's driving better than he has since his comeback regularly out-qualifying his teammate who is known to be a Ace of a qualifier, but the car keeps falling apart (Bahrain qualy killed his qualy there too otherwise I have no doubt his qualy stats would definitely out-do his teammates, and Canada was a bum due to a team timing error, otherwise he was quicker by a large margin there). I don't believe he will go out like this, no way. Not when the team is just now cranking out cars and updates for the car which are very competitive.
Might is the key word. Personally if I were a top ten driver I would only consider Mercedes with a ten foot pole. The Board of directors plays ping-pong with the F1 program on an annual basis. This is how old Renault lost Alonso.
+1 Dropping from 4th to 5th in the WCC standings is not what board members want to see in a time when Europe enters into a severe recession.
And getting pipped by a team you supply engines to isn't going to endear the shareholders either. (Mercedes and even Ferrari too) Canada should have been a huge embarassment on many levels for both of those teams.
Proof please. There is ONE very minority shareholder just a week or so before China who suggested pulling out of F1. ONE. The media went crazy with it of course, but the board and everyone since has been absolutely silent. Especially with their recent success at Monaco. They easily had the best car there and with Schu blasting the field, it only makes them more proud to have an F1 team. But I repeat, there has not been so much as a mouse fart out of Germany about pulling out of F1, and I follow them religously as everyone here knows.
Historically I dont see the commitment from Mercedes as equal to that of Ferrari or McLaren. Everyone knows they will show up next year and the year after that. As long as people are still buying Red Bull that team displays the same depth and dedication. Perhaps Mercedes does have that commitment. Now. But if the euro tanks and the team falls on its face this season the questions will all be asked yet once again. My opinion.
Late last year Mercedes invested in securing staff and leadership equivalent to that of the top teams, or better. Willis, Costa, Bell, and several teams of engineers under them were hired. These are the acts of a company wanting to win the world championship, and judging by this years car, I certainly see that as a possibility for next season. Nico was the highest scoring driver of the past 5 races until the last race and I believe that is a much better judge of how the team is performing rather than what the constructors numbers yield, as we all know the issues Michael has had at every single solitary sad race. Also, the tire mystery isn't helping but it's certainly clear they are -development wise- among the top teams if not ahead and well ahead of Flunkari who are spending entirely too much time on F2012 and I guarantee -someone quote me later- next year will be no different. I said late last year Ferrari were on their way down, and now they are on a hiring spree to build the team so if we see anything interesting from Ferrari it won't be for a while, a couple years at least. These are not actions of a company or team even thinking about leaving F1. The Euro is not going to dictate what Mercedes does. Dailer is making record profits and their company is not dictated so much by local economy. Those with $$$ will almost always have $$$, hence Mercedes will and always has been fine, just better than usual nowadays and I wouldn't at all be surprised if their F1 popularity with Schumacher had a good amount to do with it. The Daimler employees certainly love the team.
He will never not have the best record in F1. He will never not have the most championships, poles, and wins. I think he has had a horrible year by no fault of his own this year. AC/DC's last few albums havent been great, but they still recorded Back In Black. They are still AC/DC. Schumacher is a man in a field of boys.
No, that he has 7 world champioships. So he has as many championships as Vettel, Alonso, Hamilton, Raikkonen and Button all put together. Plus he has 91 wins, where all five of them have 99 together.
Oh darling....you try so hard. Knock him all you like. He's the best ever. I was scrolling down that list and there was nothing else close. Amazing man, and still going stronger than some of the young 'up and comers' Normally I wouldn't hope he wins more or less than any other driver. I wish them all well. I say 'normally', because in his case, it'd be good to see him win just so the haters would STFU. Pole at Monaco? pfft..means nothing, to the haters.
