From our website... I'll post more when I get more information. Theo ------------------------------- Sports Company Becomes Official Racing Footwear Supplier of the Formula 1 Pilot Herzogenaurach, Germany/Shanghai, China, September 24th 2004 PUMA AG and Michael Schumacher today announce that PUMA will become the official supplier of racing shoes to Michael Schumacher. The multiple F1 champion will start to wear PUMA fireproof racing footwear at this weekends Grand Prix of China in Shanghai. I am extremely pleased with our new partnership with Michael Schumacher, says Jochen Zeitz, CEO and Chairman of PUMA AG. After recently signing a contract with Ferrari the top team in Formula 1 we will now also be working with the top driver in Formula 1. Michael Schumacher has over the past years continuously impressed with his outstanding performance. He will certainly also challenge for the championship in 2005 and we are proud to work with such an exceptional driver. Michael Schumacher adds: The demands in Formula 1 racing are very high and having the right equipment is essential. Footwear is no exception. The functionality of racing footwear like the car itself must be spot on. PUMA is one of the leading suppliers in motorsport and I am very much looking forward to working with them in the future. As fireproof racing footwear Michael Schumacher has chosen to wear the Future Cat, a newly developed racing shoe with an innovative design and truly unique specifications. Amongst these are asymmetrical lacing to improve blood circulation and a re-designed forefoot for the best of both worlds in combining a snug fit with optimum comfort. A dual density cushioned midsole helps to dampen vibration while driving. The graphic design features the leaping cat on the medial side, with the well-known PUMA Formstrip, still visible on the lateral side of the shoe. German Michael Schumacher is the most successful Formula 1 driver of all times. Schumacher won his first two world drivers titles in 1994 and 1995 while racing for Benetton F1. Over the past years, he has, with his current team Scuderia Ferrari Marlboro, dominated Formula 1, and between 2000 and 2003 won four consecutive titles. This season he has already secured his fifth title in a row, which adds up to grand a total of seven world drivers titles. PUMA performance racing shoes were first used by various drivers and teams in the 1970s and early 1980s. And since 1998 PUMA's motorsport division has gradually assembled an impressive portfolio of sponsorships. In the 2004 season PUMA is the official supplier of racing gear in several motorsport disciplines in addition to Formula 1, such as WRC, F 3000, DTM, etc.
Very cool shoes. I saw someone with similar Pumas a few weeks ago (same shoe but w/out the red cat). I didn't get a chance to ask him where he got them. I'm all over these! Im really surprised Nike would let this happen. DL
Great photo! Michael's looking really sharp this weekend. Almost the Alonso "beach" look. Notice all his clothes are white? Constrasts with his perfect tan. Never seen him wearing that skull and crossbones necklace before. He also seems to be sporting a Dolce & Gabana (if I read that right) short-sleeved jumper and a solid 18 carat gold Omega Speedmaster wristwatch. Can't make out what his shorts, bag, glasses and shoes are, although I'd assume his shoes would also be Pumas?
There was a rumor last week (story on Reuters) that Nike was interested in buying Puma. Turned out false but at least the stock price jumped! Here is the story... FRANKFURT, Sept 17 (Reuters) - Shares in sports goods maker Puma (PUMG.DE: Quote, Profile, Research) rose on Friday on speculation that U.S. giant Nike (NKE.N: Quote, Profile, Research) might make a bid for its smaller German rival, but traders and analysts said such a move was unlikely. Puma shares rose around 2 percent and touched a new all-time high on 222.93 euros. By 1233 GMT, the stock eased and was traded up 0.8 percent at 219.19 euros, still outperforming the mid-cap index MDAX . Shares in local rival Adidas-Salomon (ADSG.DE: Quote, Profile, Research) climbed 1.5 percent to 111.30 euros in the blue-chip benchmark DAX after touching a 6-year-high. Traders and analysts said any takeover of Puma by Nike, the world's largest sports goods maker, was difficult to imagine, partly because of the competition issues. "I don't think a Nike takeover is probable because of serious antitrust problems," one dealer said. "Buying Puma would not bring many synergies," added an analyst, who declined to be named. Puma, which has repeatedly beaten market forecasts in the past two years and become a popular sports lifestyle brand, declined to comment, but an industry source told Reuters the market talk was "totally unfounded." Some traders noted Puma and Adidias shares were also driven by technical reasons. "Puma passed the 216-euro line and that's clearly boosting the stock," a trader said. HSBC Trinkhaus analyst Nils Lesser said Puma and Adidas shares were also driven by the positive sentiment for the sector after the Olympic Games in Athens and Euro 2004 international soccer competition in Portugal. In August shares in Adidas-Salomon rose briefly on market talk it might be bidding for smaller U.S. rival Reebok (RBK.N: Quote, Profile, Research) . The German company declined to comment then. Theo
Yes his shoes are Puma but they are not part of the new Ferrari line. However, we did just announce that Puma is the supplier of his merchandise. It's too hard to tell from that pic. Also, I can't tell about his bag, but I don't think it's Pumas. The ones we are offering are SF and are Red/Black/White. I'll post pics of our new line once I get permission to do so. I can't just yet (argggh!). Theo
So that's what they were. I saw the white boots when he was on the podium at Shanghai. Actually looking at that white Puma boot... its profile and construction looks A LOT like Fila's Schumacher boots... from the profile of the sole, to the carbon fibre heel
Michael is living proof that all the money in the world can't buy you a sense of style. He really needs to stop picking out his own clothes.
I wouldn't wear that shirt in the first picture if you payed me to! I really want to buy those new Pumas.... they look so sweet with the carbon fiber at the heel!
Does anyone here have the picture of Michael leaving Methodist hospital in Indy after visiting Ralf? It's a gem--I'm trying to find it.
