So, was it all a scam?

I was also thinking something like that..

 

why would schumacher do it though? He doesn't like the spot light, he certainly doesn't need the money...

 

all of F1 is a scam.
+100

 

I think perhaps an announcement was very premature but in everything I read there was always a connotation of the uncertainy of a return to an F1 car. Tillman, you are correct with your statement that this smells pretty bad, but I believe that it was what Michael wanted to do and a fracture of the neck, fracture to the skull and artery damage only six months ago is not that long of a recuperative period to deal with the G-forces he would be facing. I am disappointed, but understand and I don't believe it was a scam.

Carol

Perhaps we could still see him - it was not mentioned in the articles about the remaining races after Valencia who would be driving for Massa.

 

I wonder how many Fchat users booked tickets and flights? Even if Michael is not racing, they are still in for a life remembing experiance.

 

This is what it is all about and looks like Bernie is doing whatever he can to make more $
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Perhaps Schumi had a secret test of the F60 and found it to be worse than he anticipated...it does look a handful in most circumstances. As others have said, if he can't win with it he doesn't want to know about it.

 

Those that believe in following the money will think this. It didn't hurt "the show", did it. Easy to make this leap, but not everything is a conspiracy.....this was a win win regardless of the outcome, in the short term.

 

Fact is that ticket sales mean NOTHING to Bernie as he gets paid the same regardless if no one shows up to the event.

I think that MS wanted to return but the testing ban and unfamiliarity with the track stacked enough chips against him to lean on the neck 'injury' as a delay in returning. IF he comes back it will be at Spa or Monza where he knows the track and will have time to test the car.

So my opinion is that it was not a scam.

 

+100

 

The only scam is Bernie and his idiotic side kick Mosley.

Ask yourself why they had to resort to MS, where are all the new young guns desperate to prove themselves, Ah no testing another stupid stupid dangerous stupid cost cutting idea from yours truly.

With MS it cuts both ways he knew from the start his neck could/would be a problem, he had a few spins in the car and he thought **** I forgot how much it takes out of my body to drive these beasts , like I posted earlier the neck takes 4-5 Gs on some tracks SPA is one.

It was a matter of : yeh I'm up to it!.. body says no I'm not.

Sad though.

 

I'll bet he felt great from the injury till he got in the car and then has spent 2 weeks either thinking his condition would improve, or looking to save face.

 

I don't think it's a scam but maybe with hindsight they should have emphasized the conditional part of the deal. They got everybody's hopes up. I guess it was an honest mistake caused by all the excitement.

 

+1...I think MS wanted to help the team but once I kept hearing about his neck injury and "pinching" I pretty much doubted he would be able to drive.

 

I'm not that cynical (yet), but they should have been more certain about his physical condition before anything was announced.

 

My take on the whole thing is that it is very disappointed MS will not be returning to the cockpit, but I cannot say it wasn't a little expected. I have a feeling, though, not being able to test the F60 had as much to do with him not returning as his neck did. Why would the guy want to risk an embarrassing comeback when he really doesn't need to? I understand loyalty to the team and all, but if I was in a situation like this, I don't think I would come back without being allowed to properly prepare myself.

Mark

 

Why on earth?

 

MS changed his mind and decided to back out but I don't think it was entirely due to the neck injury. If it was do or die he could have made it happen. Heck, his neck was well enough to race around in a cart and show the real planned guy a thing or two.

 

Real talent can adapt to most any situation. However a major health concern is not to be pushed aside easily. The right decision was to not race, now.
CH

 

if it was a scam to help drive up ticket sales, why did they come out with the news today and not next Tuesday?............closer to the actual race and think of all the additional tickets that could have been sold.

 

+1 He won't be the first, nor the last former legend to find out how father time works.

 

Steve, they didn't have to resort to MS, in the circumstances they could have put one of their test drivers in the car, but they obviously thought Michael would be fit enough to do it.

I saw a quote from Max a couple of days ago to the effect he thought the testing ban was silly, which suggests it wasn't his idea. I know you like to have us believe he is the evil source of absolutely everything that's wrong with F1 but that just isn't the case.

 

Now they're talking about a third car for MS for next season. Here's a little unsolicited advice: Let it go.

 

Interesting how the focus has shifted from "We need a replacement for Massa" to "We need to get Schumi into a car"