F1 In Chaos As Teams Aren't Ready

[Iceman]

The 40 year-old seven-time world champion was due to make a comeback for Ferrari as a substitute for the injured Felipe Massa last season before a neck injury forced him to stand down.

But following last week’s Mercedes takeover of Brawn GP and world champion Jenson Button’s shock switch to McLaren, the possibility of a German dream team with Nico Rosberg is emerging.


The associations line up beautifully. Schumacher won all his world titles under the guidance at Benetton and Ferrari of Ross Brawn, who will continue in the role of team principal at the newly-minted Mercedes team.

Schumacher’s connection with Mercedes goes back to his youth when he was part of the marque’s young driver programme. As co-owners at McLaren, Mercedes launched at least one serious attempt to persuade Schumacher to join them from Ferrari.

Head of Mercedes motorsport Norbert Haug failed on that occasion. The stars and moons are in better alignment now, though talks are understood to be at an early stage.

Six months ago while driving around the Ascari circuit in southern Spain as part of a sponsorship engagement, Schumacher insisted that he had no regrets about retirement. The time was right, he said, to devote himself to his young family and pursue other interests.

His retainer with Ferrari kept him in the F1 loop and he was a frequent visitor on the pit wall during races.

The picture shifts quickly in sport. Massa’s freak head injury during qualifying for the Hungarian Grand Prix in July presented an unforeseen opportunity. When the chance to race again was dangled before him, Schumacher found that he could not say no.

Opportunity knocks a second time. The big money that he banked at Ferrari, upwards of £50 million a year including endorsements, is not available this time around. The downshift by Mercedes from McLaren to Brawn was premised on the need to reign in spending.

Schumacher would be coming back to F1 on a budget, offered the same deal turned down by Button. That would not worry him. The huge commercial appeal attached to the return of the seven times world champion would more than make up his money.

Button made his final visit to Brackley on Thursday to say farewell. His appearance provoked sadness and anger. There would have been no talk of Schumacher at Mercedes had Button said yes to their offer. He was rated highly by a management team who felt they had gone as far as they could go with their multi-million pound offer.

The timing of his unveiling as a McLaren driver cut across his visit, which was clumsy in the extreme. This was no way to end a fairytale. Button has been here before in a career punctuated by ham-fisted moves.

If anyone can apply balm to the wounds at Brackley it is Schumacher. Formula One went bonkers at the thought of a comeback in August. That was only a temporary affair.

This would be full-on for a year at least; Schumacher going up against McLaren’s back-to-back world champions Button and Lewis Hamilton, not to mention Alonso and Massa at Ferrari and his own Red Bull protégé Sebastien Vettel.

Interest in F1 in Britain is glowing red hot following Button’s world championship win and his subsequent move to McLaren. Beyond our shores neither Button nor Hamilton is the big sell that Schumacher is. His brand is global.

Schumacher would not be at the table were he not smitten with the comeback idea. His heart is beating again.

We thought Button’s rise from the Monaco dole queue to world champion in eight mad months was a story. How about Schumacher coming back to win an eighth world title in Button’s old motor? Wishful thinking? Not according to the tom tom drums.

[Iceman]

JENSON BUTTON was forced out of Brawn GP to make way for Michael Schumacher.

The real reason Button opted to take on Lewis Hamilton at McLaren became clear after legend Schu's secret comeback talks with Brawn were revealed.

Schumacher met old pal Ross Brawn at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix this month.

The seven-time Formula One champ is set to spearhead Mercedes Grand Prix - which has bought 75 per cent of Brawn - if Ferrari release him from a consultancy role.

Schumacher's former boss Eddie Jordan said: "I believe it is going to happen. It started with a meeting between Michael, Ross Brawn and Daimler chief executive Dieter Zetsche at the Abu Dhabi GP.

"At the moment, Michael cannot drive for Mercedes because he has a consultancy contract with Ferrari.

"But I understand he was due to meet Ferrari president Luca di Montezemolo with a view to being released. Michael likes the idea of driving a Mercedes run by Ross. It's a mouth-watering idea."

Button signed for McLaren in a �21m deal to partner 2008 king Hamilton. The Frome flier, 29, claimed he could have earned more at Brawn.

But it is clear he was being forced out at Brawn, whose new owners want Schu in an all-German line-up with Nico Rosberg.

Schumacher, 40, called off a comeback with Ferrari this year because of a neck injury. But the lure of racing for Mercedes, who backed him in his early days, is so big he wants to get fully fit.



and everyone thought Button commanded things in F1....eh?

F1 has returned to normality, the **** that is jenson will be forgotten. Oh Lewis, Massa, Alonso, vettel, watch out your about to get owned by the greatest driver there ever is......The Maestro

[Novo]

no1curr




































:p

[30stone]

Button and Hamilton?

Would be amazing all british side.

[Iceman]

Button and Hamilton?

Would be amazing all british side.


he has signed for mclaren already!

Rosberg and Schumacher all German side, mclaren stand no chance!:devil::devil::devil:

let the games begin!

[Iceman]

no1curr




































:p



why you make a me so sad (in italian voice)

im waiting for michelle to come on!:joker::joker:

[Iceman]

Just a quick reminder why he's the best.....I would post Button's records but em i checked and he hasn't got any.....:spin:


Championship titles: 7 (1994, 1995, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004)
Consecutive titles: 5 (2000–2004)
Race victories: 91
Consecutive wins: 7 (2004, Europe–Hungary)
Wins with one team: 72 (Ferrari)
Wins at same GP: 8 (France)
Wins at different GPs: 22
Longest Time between first and last wins: 14 years, 1 month and 2 days
Second places: 43
Podiums (Top 3): 154
Consecutive podium finishes: 19 (US 2001–Japan 2002)
Points finishes: 190
Consecutive points finishes: 24 (Hungary 2001–Malaysia 2003)
Laps leading: 4741 (22,155 km)
Pole positions: 68
Front row starts: 115
Fastest laps: 76
Doubles (Pole and win): 40
Perfect Score (Pole, fastest lap and win): 22
Championship points: 1,369
Most points in a season for a runner-up: 121 (2006)
Most wins in a season for a runner-up: 7 (2006)
Wins at Indianapolis (any racing class): 5
Wins at Monza (Formula One): 5
Wins in a season: 13 (72%) (2004)
Fastest laps in a season: 10 (2004)
Points scored in a season: 148 (82% of Max available) (2004)
Podium finishes in a season: 17 (100%) (2002)
Championship won with most races left: 6 (2002)
Consecutive years with a win: 15 (1992–2006)
Consecutive days as champion: 1813 (from 8 October 2000 until 25 September 2005)

[Novo]

I luv button he iz my favorite racerman eva

[Iceman]

I luv button he iz my favorite racerman eva

LOL

realy iz he? I thout it waz the other guy?

[pinkmichk]

*walks in groans walks out already accepting defeat in 2010*

[Iceman]

*walks in groans walks out already accepting defeat in 2010*

Muahahaahahhaha he's been released as ferrari advisor, its almost confirmed!:elephant:

I ****ing cant wait to hear all the oundits go nuts about how **** jenson will be next year, cant wait for schumi v Lewis its going to be immense!

[pinkmichk]

even though lewis now has a hell of a lot smaller chance to be champion the season will now be watchable again shame kimi isnt driving also but we wont dwell on that

[Novo]

LOL

realy iz he? I thout it waz the other guy?

Button iz da bestest in the world he wil win da tropy

[Iceman]

even though lewis now has a hell of a lot smaller chance to be champion the season will now be watchable again shame kimi isnt driving also but we wont dwell on that

well rallying is better than nothing i suppose, at least he'll still be driving so he wont lose the bottle for it or the hunger.....i think in retrospect it will be good for him....

[Iceman]

Schumacher has been honoured many times during his career. In April 2002, for his contributions to sport and his contributions in raising awareness of child education, he was named as one of the UNESCO Champions for sport, joining the other eight which include Pelé, Serhiy Bubka and Justine Henin. He won the Laureus World Sportsman of the Year award twice, in 2002 and 2004 for his performances in the 2001 and 2003 seasons respectively. He has also received nominations for the 2001, 2003, 2005 and 2007 awards. No-one has been nominated more times than Schumacher in the award's seven-year history.

In honour of Schumacher's racing career and his efforts to improve safety and the sport, he was awarded an FIA Gold Medal for Motor Sport in 2006. In 2007, in recognition of his contribution to Formula One racing, the Nürburgring racing track renamed turns 8 and 9 (the Audi and Shell Kurves) as the Schumacher S, and a month later he presented A1 Team Germany with the A1 World Cup at the A1GP World Cup of Motorsport 2007 awards ceremony. He was nominated for the Prince of Asturias Award for Sport for 2007, which he won both for sporting prowess and for his humanitarian record.

In 2008 the Swiss Football Association appointed Schumacher as the Swiss ambassador for the 2008 European football championship.

[pinkmichk]

well rallying is better than nothing i suppose, at least he'll still be driving so he wont lose the bottle for it or the hunger.....i think in retrospect it will be good for him....

this is true lets hope button at mclaren ends up being much like piquet jnr and one of the redbulls who got dismissed half way through for shocking performance so kimi can take seat

[Iceman]

this is true lets hope button at mclaren ends up being much like piquet jnr and one of the redbulls who got dismissed half way through for shocking performance so kimi can take seat

I mean its a complete joke, if they had of given Heikki the right car then it would have been great, Lewis will outplace Button in every qualig#fying and race session...


also schumacher thing might not happen...more on that when i get a proper source...

[MissKittyFantastico]

Next season looks like it's shaping up to be really exciting with Schu coming back, if that happens.

I really hope Jenson falls flat on his face at Mclaren, makes me sick him being WC.

[Iceman]

Next season looks like it's shaping up to be really exciting with Schu coming back, if that happens.

I really hope Jenson falls flat on his face at Mclaren, makes me sick him being WC.

You took the words right out of my mouth......jenson has to be the worst world champion in the sports history.....he just managed to get a lucky car at an unlucky time in F1...thats all, not good at driving, not consitent...

[MissKittyFantastico]

You took the words right out of my mouth......jenson has to be the worst world champion in the sports history.....he just managed to get a lucky car at an unlucky time in F1...thats all, not good at driving, not consitent...

Exactly! Brawn just had an unfair advantage early in the season, it was that that led to him winning races, not his skill as a driver. Once the others caught up he went to ****...urgh I just can't stand the guy, his attitude stinks! And the fact that he compared himself to Schu...arrogance beyond belief!

[Iceman]

Exactly! Brawn just had an unfair advantage early in the season, it was that that led to him winning races, not his skill as a driver. Once the others caught up he went to ****...urgh I just can't stand the guy, his attitude stinks! And the fact that he compared himself to Schu...arrogance beyond belief!

as i posted before they are schumi's records, button has none and only won 7 races out of nearly 150...

schumacher started 150 races and won 96....it speaks for itself...

[MissKittyFantastico]

Well let's just hope that he falls flat on his face at Mclaren, and gets humiliated by both Lewis and Schu next season.

Is it definite that Kimi is taking a sabbatical?

[Iceman]

Well let's just hope that he falls flat on his face at Mclaren, and gets humiliated by both Lewis and Schu next season.

Is it definite that Kimi is taking a sabbatical?

yeah he announced it yesterday, he said he'd go to mercedes if they have a competitive car but if Schu comes back then thats done with....either way Schu or Kimi and i'll be a happy man....

[Iceman]

According to AutoCar, seven time World Driving Champion Michael Schumacher will return to Formula One competition in 2010 driving for Mercedes GP. So says Eddie Jordan, former F1 team owner, who gave Schumacher his first Formula One drive back in 1991. Michael went on to race with Benneton before moving to Ferrari, where he teamed with Ross Brawn to win multiple world titles.

You may want to take notes at this point, as Formula One is an incestuous business and the plot gets complicated. Prior to his debut with Jordan, Schumacher drove sports cars for Mercedes, which actually paid Jordan to give Schumacher a race seat. Now, almost 20 years later, Mercedes has bought controlling interest in the Brawn GP team, formerly the Honda team, which will now be known as Mercedes GP. So if Eddie Jordan is correct, Michael will be back where he started - driving for Mercedes. Are you with me so far?

Good, because here's where it gets tricky. After winning his unprecedented 7th world driving championship, Schumacher was literally forced into retirement by Ferrari. Their total dominance of the sport for several years was actually a bad thing, because the racing became so predictable, it was boring. The fans turned to other things and sponsors reacted by snapping their wallets shut. Something had to be done and that something was forcing Schumacher out of the team. Who said so? No one knows for certain, but suspicion focuses on Formula One major domo and master manipulator Bernie Ecclestone.

Yet even after not driving for two years, Michael Schmacher remains one of the most popular figures in grand prix racing and his return will create a wave of excitement for a sport that has suffered several black eyes recently from internal wrangling and cheating scandals. He is currently under contract to Ferrari as a consultant, but Jordan says "I understand he was due to meet Ferrari president Luca di Montezemolo with a view to him being released - and that it will be approved because it is in the interests of F1." And who holds the "interests of Formula One" nearest and dearest to his flinty little heart - and his wallet? Why, Bernie Ecclestone, of course, whose nefarious little fingerprints are all over this deal.

The only sad note is that, according to reports, Schumacher's wife is adamantly opposed to his return to racing and has announced that she will file for divorce if he does so. My old Irish grandmother used to say: "Be careful what you wish for. You just might get it." I hope you know what you are doing, Herr Schumacher.

haha schumi returns and gets divorced!!!!!!!!!

[Iceman]

The BBC are reporting that the newly formed team, Mercedes GP, are trying to sign seven time world champion Michael Schumacher for 2010. The new owners of Brawn GP are aggressively chasing Schumacher to join the team.

F1 pundit, and former team owner, Eddie Jordan believes that the German will race for the team.

"The possibility is being actively pursued and I believe it is going to happen," said Jordan.

"It started with a meeting between Michael, Ross Brawn and Daimler chief executive officer Dieter Zetsche at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix."

Jordan has many close sources within the GP circus, and is usually well informed about the rumours that float around the F1 paddock.

The rumoured plan is that Schumacher would be a stop gap to allow the Mercedes team to steal Sebastian Vettel from Red Bull Racing.

Schumacher's spokesperson, Sabine Kehm has commented on the subject.

"A return would be highly unlikely, but never say never."

Mercedes would have to try and lure Schumacher from the illustrious Ferrari team. Although Schumacher does not race for the team, at the moment, he plays a large role in advising the team, as well as helping to set up the prototype road cars at the factory. Schumacher is still currently linked with Ferrari with a lucrative contract.

But Eddie Jordan also had something to say about that too,

"At the moment, it is not possible for Michael to drive for Mercedes because he has a consultancy contract with Ferrari."

"But I understand he was due to meet Ferrari President Luca di Montezemolo with a view to being released - and that it will be approved because it is in the interests of F1."

The evidence that is giving credence to this rumour is that Schumacher would be re-united with technical genius, Ross Brawn, who assisted all of Schumacher's seven world titles.

Schumacher has also previously raced for Mercedes, in his early racing career in sportscar racing, and so has already established a relationship with the company.

Mercedes GP has already said, many times, that the team will be an international team, not a German team, but if they succeed in signing Schumacher, or Vettel, then alongside Rosberg they will have made a German team.

If Schumacher does join Mercedes for a year or two, it would give him the chance to re-sign for Ferrari, bringing a legendary driver back to legendary team.

The F1 community was very excited about Schumacher's return in early August '09, but the plans were scuppered by a neck injury that was aggravated by testing an F1 car. At the time, Schumacher refused to comment on if he would be racing in 2010 or not. This lead to a lot of rumours suggesting that he would return for Ferrari in 2010.

Ferrari president, Luca Di Montezemolo, also added fuel to the fire, by saying that he would love Schumacher to return. The last time Montezemolo said that he wanted something to happen, it was Fernando Alonso to join the team. He also wants the German driver, Sebastian Vettel to join the team in 2012

This also suggested that Ferrari would push hard for a change in the rules to allow the teams to run three cars, instead of two. However, as of yet there has been no signal from Ferrari that it is pursuing this idea.

If Ferrari doesn't push for the third car in F1, then Schumacher may join the Mercedes team in order to get a race seat for 2010.


Its on liike donkey kong!

3rd car would be great, Massa, Alonso and Schumacher on the same team amazing!

[Tom4784]

I never liked Schumacher, I used to watch it as a kid and he just made it so boring. I'm hoping for Lewis and Jenson to run rings around him really although that's unlikely.

[Iceman]

I never liked Schumacher, I used to watch it as a kid and he just made it so boring. I'm hoping for Lewis and Jenson to run rings around him really although that's unlikely.

I think the only place jenson will be running is home and id say that would happen in about 5th 6th race of the season, when mclaren realise they've made the biggest cock up in the sports history...

[Iceman]

Speculation that Michael Schumacher is planning a full return to Formula One is continuing to build.

So far the rumours are being played down by the 40-year-old's spokeswoman Sabine Kehm and officials for Brackley based Mercedes GP and its parent Mercedes-Benz/Daimler.

But British television pundit Eddie Jordan, who gave the German his Formula One
debut more than 18 years ago, is commenting with apparent authority that a deal for 2010 is very possible.

He revealed that Schumacher, who recently signed a new Ferrari consultancy contract through 2012, met with Ross Brawn and Daimler chairman Dieter Zetsche in Abu Dhabi three weeks ago.

"I understand he was due to meet Ferrari president Luca di Montezemolo with a view to him being released -- and that it will be approved because it is in the interests of F1," Jordan is quoted as saying by the BBC.

still sotries are coming out about this........I dont think its gonna happen now, id love to be proved wrong though!

[Iceman]

So long as there remains a chance that Michael Schumacher might return to Formula One, the speculation and rumours about the sport’s most successful driver are not going to go away.

The moment Jenson Button announced his strange decision to leave Mercedes Grand Prix — formerly Brawn GP — for pastures new at McLaren, the Formula One grapevine started humming with suggestions that Button’s former team principal, Ross Brawn, had approached Schumacher to replace him.

It would, after all, be another one of those Schumacher fairytales. In the summer, he wanted to help out at Ferrari when his friend Felipe Massa suffered serious head injuries in qualifying for the Hungarian Grand Prix. But that comeback was ultimately thwarted by a neck injury that the German legend sustained while racing a motorbike this year.

Now the seven-times world champion has the chance to do a favour for his former technical director at Ferrari in Brawn, who is short of high-quality options in his search for a team-mate for Nico Rosberg. And who is to say he will not answer the call, even if — at the age of 41 — a full 19-race season in 2010 could well be testing Schumacher’s resilience to the limits?
Related Links

* Schumacher reunion with Brawn unlikely

* McLaren gain revenge by luring Button

* Hamilton will not give up pole without a fight

In Germany yesterday, a little more fuel was added to the fire. With the famously taciturn driver away at a karting event in Las Vegas, it fell to his long-time manager, Willi Weber, to keep the guessing game alive. Speaking to a German press agency, he said he was sure that Schumacher had had talks with Dr Dieter Zetsche, head of Mercedes-Benz and Norbert Haug, who runs the company’s motor-sport division, at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.

From the former Brawn team there was no word yesterday. Ross Brawn is believed to be on holiday and a final decision may not be made for some time. In addition to Schumacher, the team are known to have taken soundings with Kimi Raikkonen’s management, and Nick Heidfeld, and it will also be watching the situation at Renault carefully. If the French car manufacturer pulls out of Formula One, Brawn may snap up Robert Kubica, the highly rated Polish driver, who is signed up to the Renault team.

Schumacher’s official spokeswoman, Sabine Kehm, was hedging her bets last night. “My personal opinion has really not changed,” she said. “I can see lots of tempting things in it for Michael, but I can also see a lot of non-tempting things. I don’t know. It is as it was in August [with the Ferrari comeback] when you couldn’t tell what was going to happen. Then I was convinced Michael would never come back and, suddenly, all the circumstances were right for him. I still think it is unlikely, but you never know.”

Meanwhile, Bernie Ecclestone reiterated yesterday his view that next year’s British Grand Prix at Silverstone is perilously close to being scrapped from the schedule. “They had a contract in place that they could have signed if they’d wanted to, but they haven’t,” Ecclestone, Formula One’s commercial rights-holder, said of Silverstone’s management. “At the moment there is no British Grand Prix.

“I think December 9 is when the Formula One commission meets, so that’s when it will be taken off the calendar. If there’s no contract in place, there won’t be a British Grand Prix.”

[pinkmichk]

button wont be running rings round noone i dont mind schumacher even though it means my boy lewis has a harder job on his hands for title if schumacher races
as for bernie ugh cant he just die already stoooooopid little man

[Iceman]

button wont be running rings round noone i dont mind schumacher even though it means my boy lewis has a harder job on his hands for title if schumacher races
as for bernie ugh cant he just die already stoooooopid little man

But I think it will be good for Hamilton, he easily has next years won if Michael doesn't come back, this way he has to up his game even though he's in the best car....(thats assuming schumi comes bacK) (prays to allah:joker:)

[Wildcat!]

Whats people's problem with Jenson Button? I dont understand! He just races, and gets on with it. He is not that great, but he is still pretty good.

And its bit presomptuous, to assume that Hamilton, will just dominate him at Mclaren

[Iceman]

Whats people's problem with Jenson Button? I dont understand! He just races, and gets on with it. He is not that great, but he is still pretty good.

Should I give you the short version or the long version?????

[Wildcat!]

Still no answer!

[pinkmichk]

well i have said it more than once he isnt a good driver he just got lucky in the 09 season and the pressure really got to him making him drive even worse

[Iceman]

I will answer in a minute just doing elimination noms! ;)

[Wildcat!]

So thats all it is then.
I dont know, fair enough he didnt drive very well down the stretch, but it has a lot to do also, with the car not performing as well.
The fact is, its the first time he has had a really good car, and he won the championship. What more can you ask. I am not a fan of Button BTW, I am a Lewis Hamilton an myself, and I always liked Kubica.
But Vettell didnt win, Barrichello didnt win, so give him credit.

I know Lewis HAmilton looked pretty awful, when his car was bad as well. At one point he was finishing below 15th, and getting lapped. SO i just think people are pretty unfair with Button, and I cant see why. If he was an unlikable character, I would understand, but he has never been that.

[Iceman]

Right here we go: :P

Jenson joined in 2000 and was basically thrust into the media as the next big thing. He raced for 4 years without doing much except causing uproar about contracts and what should be in them. in 2004 he got his first pole position and finished 2nd in the race..if you can put that into prospective now, nearly half of the drivers on the grid have won a race after a year....or at least gotten a podium finish. Roll on 2 years later and he finally got his first win in a race where Michael and Alsonso took each other out..he basically made himself look ridicolous on the podium and came across quite aroogant. Roll on 3 years later and he signs with Brawn. They use a loophole in the rules about a rear diffuser which allows them to gain an advantage for the first 6-7 races of the season (all credit for that goes to the genius that is Ross Brawn). after the first 7 races his inconsistency shows and didnt wina race since. Shows how loyal he is by leaving the team that salvaged his career by signing for their rivals Mclaren. Although he has done a huge favour to the sport by giving it an all British line up at mclaren I highly doubt he will ever win a race again.

Thats my thoughts on it anyway :):)

[Wildcat!]

Right here we go: :P

Jenson joined in 2000 and was basically thrust into the media as the next big thing. He raced for 4 years without doing much except causing uproar about contracts and what should be in them. in 2004 he got his first pole position and finished 2nd in the race..if you can put that into prospective now, nearly half of the drivers on the grid have won a race after a year....or at least gotten a podium finish. Roll on 2 years later and he finally got his first win in a race where Michael and Alsonso took each other out..he basically made himself look ridicolous on the podium and came across quite aroogant. Roll on 3 years later and he signs with Brawn. They use a loophole in the rules about a rear diffuser which allows them to gain an advantage for the first 6-7 races of the season (all credit for that goes to the genius that is Ross Brawn). after the first 7 races his inconsistency shows and didnt wina race since. Shows how loyal he is by leaving the team that salvaged his career by signing for their rivals Mclaren. Although he has done a huge favour to the sport by giving it an all British line up at mclaren I highly doubt he will ever win a race again.

Thats my thoughts on it anyway :):)



OK! Fair enough. I can understand that.:blush:
I really didnt know about any of that. thanks.

[pinkmichk]

barichello had the same car and often out drove button through the season

[Iceman]

LOL I just think a better driver who has been consistent over the years should be in Mclaren like Rubens or Vettel (this guy is amazing i think he'll rack them up like Schumacher, I mean he finished 12 points behind button and didnt score at 5 or 6 races).

Still no news on Schumacher other than his manager said he was talking to doctors!

[lily.]

Ice? that you? wtf?

[Iceman]

Ice? that you? wtf?

new and improved me! ;) you like????

[lily.]

Not sure yet.. gimme time to adjust. You switched yer allegiance now?

[Iceman]

Not sure yet.. gimme time to adjust. You switched yer allegiance now?

what allegiance??? haha

[lily.]

From Räikkönen to Schumacher.

[Iceman]

From Räikkönen to Schumacher.

Kimi is taking a 1 year sabbatical to do rally driving and the greatest driver in the sports history may be about to announce his return (he's a legend) I have to go with Schumi, followed him since well forever!!!

Hows Lil, ya havent been on much or am i just not on at same time?

[Wildcat!]

I didnt even realise it was iceman. Ridding on the band wagon! :laugh:

[Iceman]

I didnt even realise it was iceman. Ridding on the band wagon! :laugh:

No, not really, I supported Schumacher until he retired and now that Kimi is gone I have to support someone, who better than The Maestro Michael Schumacher!:spin:

[lily.]

Kimi will be back..

Am not bad.. haven't been on as much as before to be honest.. too much ****wittery on here.

[Iceman]

Kimi will be back..

Am not bad.. haven't been on as much as before to be honest.. too much ****wittery on here.

Yeah The Iceman needs a year to cool off ;)

I think ive become more active lately especially with Elimination.....

[lily.]

I don't tend to do the games on here... besides the ones in the arcade, and there's only a handful of people I want to talk to, so some days I'll have a look in and then leave without posting.

[Iceman]

I don't tend to do the games on here... besides the ones in the arcade, and there's only a handful of people I want to talk to, so some days I'll have a look in and then leave without posting.

Yeah I know what ya mean!!!! So will you be supporting Schumacher if he returns????

[lily.]

Hmmm... dunno bout that. I'm fickle with my allegiance. Ma other half is a Massa supporter... and he'll definitely support Schumacher if he returns, so I may just do the opposite to be arsey. :P

[James]

Eddie Jordan seemingly being the source for this story makes me believe it less. :p

I think Schumacher would only go back if he thought Brawn/Mercedes are going to be one of the top teams next year.

[Iceman]

Eddie Jordan seemingly being the source for this story makes me believe it less. :p

I think Schumacher would only go back if he thought Brawn/Mercedes are going to be one of the top teams next year.

I know but his manager (Willy someone i think) said that he's been to doctors to get the go ahead. Apparently he will be released from Ferrari in the next 48 hours, if that happens it's a done deal. Ive always said he wanted a break from the sport and would come back, now i think this is his chance, he's 41 in January and wont have many more oppprtunities to do this again...(as you can tell im a tad *********g eager for this to happen) :joker::joker::joker:

[Iceman]

As the F1 world finds itself embroiled in another "will he, won't he" scenario regarding a possible return by seven-time champion Michael Schumacher, sources close to him took slightly differing views yesterday.

His spokeswoman Sabine Kehm was adamant he would not make a comeback as Jenson Button's replacement at the Brawn team, since renamed Mercedes Grand Prix. The last time he planned a return was in July as the stand-in for injured Felipe Massa at Ferrari, and that was stymied by a neck injury.

"Michael is enjoying his life," Kehm said. "A return to Formula One is not a subject for debate at the moment. For me, a return would be highly unlikely."

Meanwhile, Schumacher's manager Willi Weber said guardedly yesterday: "I know that Michael spoke with Dieter Zetsche and Norbert Haug at the season's finale in Abu Dhabi," referring respectively to the CEO of Daimler AG, the parent company of Mercedes-Benz, and the vice president of motor sport at Mercedes, who gave Schumacher his big chance in sportscar racing early last decade.

Haug himself told Germany's Bild am Sonntag newspaper that such speculation would always be rife and that some of it was just dreams that would not come true. But he also said: "You will be surprised, but I think your readers will like our driver line-up."

It is inconceivable, however, that Mercedes would sign Schumacher, who turns 41 in January, without further testing to ensure that his damaged neck is up to the rigours of Formula One cornering and braking.

arggh i wish he'd just say now (so if he doesnt i can pick a driver for next year)

[pinkmichk]

arggh i wish he'd just say now (so if he doesnt i can pick a driver for next year)

you know its lewis ;)

[Iceman]

you know its lewis ;)

crap i forgot our deal!!

Cant believe how the hype of Kimi went so quick once Eddie started all this....Im praying for Schumi's return!!

[Iceman]

Mercedes Grand Prix bosses Norbert Haug and Nick Fry have done little to end speculation about Michael Schumacher’s prospects of returning to Formula One in 2010.

Fellow team boss Ross Brawn tried recently to stop such suggestions by claiming that the German did not want a full-time comeback. However, while taking questions on Monday about Nico Rosberg’s arrival at the team, Brawn’s management colleagues said nothing to kill the story, and Haug once again hinted that the eventual decision would be good news for F1.

Following that logic, it is hard to imagine that a Mercedes deal with, say, Nick Heidfeld would fall into the “hold the front page” category, although to be fair, 2007 world champion Kimi Räikkönen also is a possibility.

Schumacher spent last weekend at a karting event in Las Vegas, while Brawn is “on holiday.” It is not known whether he too is enjoying a break in Nevada.

“I’ve really got nothing to add to that,” said team CEO Fry of Brawn’s reported comments on Schumacher. “We’re here today to talk about Nico and we should stick to that subject. I think Ross has answered the question extremely well.”

When given the chance to state categorically that Schumacher was not an option Haug said, “When will you ever say categorically anything in F1? I mean, I think Ross made it quite clear, I think Nick pointed it out. I really have nothing to add, and that’s why we live with probably ongoing speculation.”

Asked whether the team needs a proven winner next year, Haug said, “Not necessarily. It comes to judging the capabilities. Look back at Lewis Hamilton and how soon he won a race. Certainly he’s an exceptional driver. But hopefully we have the right expertise to find the right guy.

“I’m sure that we have a very, very strong driver in Nico, and we will have another driver--and I specifically am not saying a second driver--we want to have the same basis for the drivers. Let’s just wait and see a little bit.”

He then added more fuel to the Schumacher fire.

“Last Monday’s was a very good story, Nico’s story is a very good story, and hopefully we can deliver a third one [next],” Haug said. “That’s in our interest, that’s in your interest. It is mainly in the interests of F1, because F1 needs some positive news right now, and hopefully we can help to create this news.”

Meanwhile, Fry said that he hopes a decision will be made before the holiday season.

“We don’t really have huge time pressure on us at the moment, except that once one goes beyond Christmas and the New Year, logistically it becomes slightly more difficult with seat [fittings] and time for the engineers to talk to the driver.”

Taking the piss right there, they could have said No or Maybe.......

[Wildcat!]

Hehe! I think this is just a dream. Schumacher aint coming back! Sorry iceman, it looks like youre gonna have to change names again. :)

[Iceman]

Hehe! I think this is just a dream. Schumacher aint coming back! Sorry iceman, it looks like youre gonna have to change names again. :)

Until he categorically denies it I have faith! (even though they've pretty much denied it anyway):joker::joker:

[Wildcat!]

I would be dissapointed, and blame you! :(
If it wasnt for you, I wouldnt get my hopes up! :)

[Iceman]

See how i havent posted any of the stuff where its nearly denied......i have my rose tinted glasses on ;)

When Schumacher himself denies it then ill post until then well.....wohhoooooo!

[Iceman]

Nico Rosberg's unveiling as a Mercedes driver yesterday felt like Hamlet without the prince.

In this instance, the absent player was Michael Schumacher, the man Mercedes most want to drive for them next season.

And, yes, they really do want to sign him, despite apparently contradictory quotes from team principal Ross Brawn surfacing yesterday.
Nico Rosberg

New signing: Mercedes unveil Rosberg as one of their new drivers for next season

In them, he described the notion as 'a dream'. However, the comments pre-dated last week's well-sourced reports linking Mercedes to the seven-time world champion and should not be taken at face value.

If there really was no truth in the story, why would Norbert Haug, the head of Mercedes motor sport, turn down an invitation to end all the speculation?

Instead, his reply was: 'When would you ever say anything categorically in Formula One? I have nothing to add.'
Michael Schumacher

'Dream' signing: Mercedes have not ruled out making a move for the seven-time champion

In a sport where doublespeak is the norm, it appeared to mean: talks are ongoing.

The off-stage noise was a regrettable distraction for Rosberg, 24, who said he was 'a little surprised' not to be partnering Jenson Button, whose move to McLaren has left a space for Schumacher.

If Schumacher cannot be persuaded out of retirement at 40, Nick Heidfeld and Kimi Raikkonen are contenders.

'I don't mind who my team-mate is,' said Rosberg, German through his mother despite being the son of 1982 champion Keke Rosberg of Finland.

'It's just important he is quick and a team player.'

[Iceman]

Norbert Haug, a German former motorsports journalist, is an old-timer in the Formula One paddock and knows the rules when it comes to hot stories: if you do not deny claims, you are as good as admitting them to be true.

During a conference call from Germany yesterday to announce Nico Rosberg as a new driver for the Mercedes Grand Prix team — formerly Brawn GP — the vice-president for motorsport at Mercedes-Benz was asked if he was ready to end speculation about Michael Schumacher making a sensational comeback with the team by categorically ruling him out.

Haug, who was once described in this newspaper as Formula One’s answer to Henry Kissinger, a slightly tongue-in-cheek reference to his behind-the-scenes role in trying to solve last summer’s budget-capping crisis, avoided doing exactly that.

“When [can] you ever say anything categorically in Formula One,” he replied from his office in Stuttgart. Later he added: “We have to live with these speculations . . . I fully understand that these speculations are ongoing so long as we don’t announce who is driving in the other car, but that’s what we have to live with.”

Even Kissinger would have understood that the uncertainty in this case could be removed by denying that Schumacher remains a target for the team. Thus, not surprisingly, the general consensus among those who heard Haug yesterday was that Schumacher is still a possibility and contacts with him are likely to continue.

Whether the 40-year-old German legend goes for it is another matter and it may take several weeks for a decision. In the meantime this hare is running, which is no bad thing for a team who are still smarting from losing Jenson Button to McLaren.

In the same conference call Nick Fry, the Mercedes chief executive, was also coy on the Schumacher front, but he said that he wanted to sort out the second driver before Christmas. He added: “It may not be possible, but from an operational point of view, it would be better and we’ll try for that.”

The reference to it being “possible or not” could be a reflection of the likely time Schumacher may take to decide and sort out his contractual issues with Ferrari, but it could be a reference to Renault and the uncertainty over its future in Formula One. The French carmaker has still to announce whether it is continuing in the sport and has said that a decision will be made before the new year. If it pulls out, Robert Kubica, freshly signed to Renault from BMW Sauber, would be attractive to Mercedes.

Rosberg refused to discuss Schumacher but said he was a “little surprised” by Button’s move. He hoped to win races with Mercedes in 2010, when he becomes the first German driver at the wheel of a “silver arrow” since 1955. “The aim is going to be very high for me,” he said. “I want to win races and then we’ll see. We need to wait a few months to see how the car turns up but I’m very confident that we are going to have an extremely strong package.”

It is debatable whether Rosberg, who has not won a grand prix, has the personality and ability to lead the Mercedes team or whether his new managers feel a need more fire power on the track, fire power that they would get from Schumacher, from Kimi Raikkonen, with whom they are also in contact, and from Kubica.

[Wildcat!]

Live reverand Jesse Jackson would say, Keep hope Alive! :laugh:

[Iceman]

Live reverand Jesse Jackson would say, Keep hope Alive! :laugh:

well F1 has always been about rumours.....

[Iceman]

MICHAEL SCHUMACHER edged closer to an amazing Formula One comeback last night.

The new Mercedes-backed Brawn team refused to rule out his retrun after confirming Nico Rosberg as one of their drivers.

Schumacher would form a potent all German line-up with Rosberg.

Mercedes chief Norbert Haug, when asked to definitely quash the Schumacher link, said: "When will you ever say categorically anything in F1?

"Hopefully we can deliver another good story as F1 needs something positive right now."

Read more: http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/sport/motorsport/2742977/Return-looks-like-a-real-Schu-in.html#ixzz0Xj0qlREP

[Wildcat!]

So this is what I dont get. How does Mercedes make the difference between the 2 cars? Since they both manufacture the engines for both cars, whats the difference between the 2 teams? And if thy make corrections for the one team, dont they do the same for the other?
I could never grasp that concept in Formula one.

[Iceman]

What will happen is Mercedes will now give Mclraren an engine that is a very basic one, the Mclaren engineers will have to update it as best they can. Mercedes will use the same engine but because they've built their own engine they will know what will work better and what wont...

hope that makes sense...:)

[Wildcat!]

OH I see. So basically The Mclaren team have their own engineers, that have nothing to do with Mercedes, but get a Mercedes engine. And the Mercedes team has their own engineers as well.
SO the mercedes engineers, have nothing to do with any modifications, Mclaren does to their initial engine, is that right?

[Iceman]

OH I see. So basically The Mclaren team have their own engineers, that have nothing to do with Mercedes, but get a Mercedes engine. And the Mercedes team has their own engineers as well.
SO the mercedes engineers, have nothing to do with any modifications, Mclaren does to their initial engine, is that right?

Yup ya got it now! However Mercedes if they think Mclaren are doing something illegal can call for the engine to be spot tested to make sure it doesnt break any rules!

[Iceman]

The car manufacturer last week took a 75.1 per cent stake in Brawn GP, only to see world champion Jenson Button depart abruptly for McLaren in acrimonious fashion.

While both sides accused the other of a lack of loyalty, it emerged that Schumacher had met Dieter Zetsche, the chairman of Mercedes' parent company Daimler, and team principal Ross Brawn in Abu Dhabi a few weeks ago.

But while Brawn said over the weekend that the speculation was a "fantasy of the media", and Schumacher's agent, Sabine Kehm, described a return as "highly unlikely", Mercedes-Benz Motorsport Vice-President Norbert Haug declined the opportunity to kill the speculation dead.

"What Ross pointed out, I think we have to respect that," Haug said during a telephone conference to confirm the arrival of Rosberg. "I fully understand that these speculations are ongoing as long as we don't announce who is driving the other car but that's what we have to live with."

When asked whether he wished to state categorically that Schumacher would not be joining the team in 2010, Haug said: "When will you ever say categorically anything in F1?"

So will it happen? It is worth noting that the Schumacher speculation is not exactly hurting Mercedes, whose moment of glory last week was soured by Button's decision to sign for their erstwhile partner.

Mercedes managed to reclaim the PR initiative by being linked to the German star and they are clearly happy for that to continue.

"If you can have good stories every week it is good," Haug admitted.

Ultimately, the only certainty is that an approach has been made and the decision rests with Schumacher, for there is no doubt Mercedes would be prepared to stump up the cash for such a massive marketing coup if the seven-time world champion wanted to return.

At 40, and with a dodgy neck, Schumacher's desire is less certain, although it must be said that he too benefits from the continued conjecture, with numerous sponsors of his own to satisfy.

The safer bet for the second Mercedes seat would be Kimi Raikkonen, if he can be convinced of the team's financial and sporting competitiveness, or else Nick Heidfeld. Mercedes GP chief executive Nick Fry said the team hoped to announce the other driver before Christmas "purely for logistical reasons".

Rosberg, meanwhile, said it would feel "incredible" to be the first German to race a Silver Arrows grand prix car in more than 50 years. The 24-year-old son of Finnish former world champion Keke Rosberg was born in Wiesbaden although he was brought up in Monaco.

Silverstone managing director Richard Phillips is “pretty convinced” that a deal for the British Grand Prix to return to Silverstone in 2010 is imminent. It is understood the latest revisions of the contract are with F1 commercial rights holder Bernie Ecclestone and Phillips said last night he did not see “any real stumbling blocks”.

Flavio Briatore, the former Renault team principal who exited the team under a cloud in connection with race-fixing allegations in September, will have his case against world motorsport's governing body heard on Tuesday.

According to leaked reports earlier this month, the Italian will accuse the FIA of being "blinded by a desire for personal revenge" when it punished him for his alleged role in the conspiracy that saw Nelson Piquet Jnr crash deliberately during the 2008 Singapore Grand Prix. He is demanding £900,000 in compensation for the damage to his reputation.

[Wildcat!]

So what happened to Barrichello in all this?

[Iceman]

So what happened to Barrichello in all this?

he's signed with another team now maybe williams or BMW cant remember, best option for him though he might be number 1 driver at another team and get the car he deserves

[lily.]

Am guna pick a driver at the start of next season... won't be Hamilton though..

[Iceman]

Am guna pick a driver at the start of next season... won't be Hamilton though..

If I wasnt so Schumacher orientated or Kimi orientated id put money on Alonso...he's a 2 time world champion in probably the best Ferrari car in 3-4 years! ;););) how Lil tonight?????

[Rory]

Iceman, I genuinely thought that this thread was a thread about you and Mercedes from Hollyoaks in a strange fantasy world.

[Iceman]

Iceman, I genuinely thought that this thread was a thread about you and Mercedes from Hollyoaks in a strange fantasy world.

Oh god, if only you could see how much im laughing I actually have tears in my eyes!!!:joker::joker::joker::joker:

(I wish it was BTW)

[lily.]

how Lil tonight?????

Tired babe.. and headin off.. catcha lata.. Xx

[Iceman]

Tired babe.. and headin off.. catcha lata.. Xx

Cool cool, chat to ya soon! XXX:xyxwave:

[Iceman]

Mercedes have made a "choose your job" offer to Grand Prix legend Michael Schumacher.

The German car giant is so desperate to persuade the nation's most famous racer to join their new Formula One campaign as a manufacturer they have told him he can have any job in the team even if he does not want to race.

Mercedes are not only prepared to put him in the seat vacated by Jenson Button's move to McLaren but are open to discussion on a variety of other roles whether in the cockpit, management or as a roving ambassador and advisor.

Since Button's surprise move to rivals McLaren, Mercedes have re-doubled their efforts to persuade Schumacher to join them.

Advertisement - article continues below »

Yesterday Mercedes bosses Norbert Haug and Nick Fry both refused to kill off speculation they are trying to lure the German icon out of retirement.

Both alluded to comments at the weekend by team boss Ross Brawn, a close friend of Schumacher's who designed all of his titlewinning cars, who said: "Michael would have come back temporarily for Ferrari but he doesn't want to begin a new career."

Mercedes confirmation of the signing of Nico Rosberg, 24, yesterday was submerged in questions about Schumacher's future.

Asked about having Schumacher as a team-mate Rosberg replied: "I don't want to comment. Sorry."

Kimi Raikkonen and Nick Heidfeld are also in the frame to partner Rosberg.

[Iceman]

The possibility of Michael Schumacher returning with Mercedes has caused a media furore where facts are thin on the ground but a torrent of speculation unstoppable. Management at the car giant have called it "a media dream". So what's the truth?

Let's go on a flight of fancy and examine whether the German legend really could return to the cockpit - or whether Mercedes are trying to pull off a different coup altogether and grab themselves a new Uber Ambassador...

Michael Schumacher
Can Michael Schumacher really return to Formula 1? And at Mercedes? A German legend - no an icon - in a German racing team?

For all their denials by Norbert Haug, Nick Fry and Ross Brawn it's a Mercedes management wet dream.

And the chances are good that the seven-times world champion will one day end up in Mercedes colours.

When, and whether he is in the cockpit, is a different question altogether.


I understand the seven times world champion has been offered a variety of jobs within the structure at Mercedes. A sort of "take your pick, Michael".

And if you pause for a moment and reflect, from his perspective, the idea must have a great deal of attraction.

Schumacher would be signing up to The German Team. There is every chance that, for all their denials, Mercedes' ambitions are to turn their team into something akin to what Ferrari has in Italy: an operation revered in its native land.

It is already a German-owned team with a German lead driver and a winning German engine.

Most onlookers cannot see past Schumacher in the cockpit - the racing legend. Victor of an unparalleled 91 Grands Prix and seven world championships.

But there is much more at play than most realise; why can't Schumacher be the 'father' to a whole new generation of German racers?

Why can't he have a significant role OUT of the cockpit instead?

His activities and motivation would be far more fundamental than it could ever be at Ferrari, for all their success together.

Schumacher could satiate his need for speed by helping develop their F1 cars from time to time.

He could either race DTM fulltime or make guest appearances in a Silver Arrows.

Although his experience would quickly become outdated in real F1 racing terms his general advice would be invaluable.

Then the team could have a far more important role for him: Schumacher could be responsible for talent spotting, development and appointment.

It would be a sort of super-ambassador with fringe benefits.

Niki Lauda was a driver advisor to Ferrari in the 1990s, helping pilots deal with various issues such as car development, the pressures of competition, mind management etc.
Schumacher could do the same; help develop rising young German stars on Mercedes' staircase of talent.

The German car giant has always had far too many drivers on their books with boss Haug, juggling Mercedes' commitments to them all.

Mark Webber quit Mercedes on the fringes of reaching F1 not only because their cars flung him into the trees at Le Mans but because there was a queue outside Haug's office that ran around the block.

He could have wasted crucial years waiting to get to the front of it.

With Schumacher onboard, a driver academy and graduation system of the kind that in the 1990s produced the German himself, Heinz-Harald Frentzen and, at McLaren, Lewis Hamilton, could start to have real teeth.

It is a role for his native country that is sure to appeal to Schumacher in a way it would never have the same attraction at Ferrari.

It could even take him to the crossroads of political appointments if he ever wants to go down that route.

National recognition on a scale above Grand Prix success would surely follow.

My feeling is that returning to the cockpit fulltime is not an option.

The real truth is that, physically, Schumacher just cannot risk getting back in a F1 car.

He has ridden motor bikes a couple of times but not to the level he was contemplating before his abortive Valencia return.

Schumacher injured his neck severely in a crash at Suzuka early in his career.

It caused a hairline fracture that caused him intermittent pain but was not spotted for two years.

There have been various impacts since and, most significantly, the damage done when he fell off his Superbike earlier this year during pre-season testing.

It was bad enough to fly in his personal physician immediately and then jet to hospital.

Although he has kept it quiet, that was effectively the end of his plans to contest the superbike championship.

To then call off his Valencia return several months later indicates the extent of the problem. A return for a few races as a super-hero, super-sub, was the ideal solution and yet he didn't take it.

It was a no-lose situation unless he had either already realised how difficult the car was to drive (but how could he since he was in a 2007 car?) or he was still troubled sufficiently by the old neck problem.

Of course there are a few bumps in the road to Schumacher becoming the Uber-Ambassador.

If he was appointed now his first recruit would be Nico Rosberg and that would mean treading a delicate path with a racer already carefully managed by his father Keke, the 1982 champion.

Then there is the question of Ferrari. Firstly he would have to extract himself from a three-year contract as an advisor to their road car division.

Surely that would not be difficult if there was the will (and Mercedes' wallet) behind him.

Then there is the issue that Schumacher would become an ambassador for Mercedes when all his winning was done down the road at Maranello or with Benetton.

Pragmatic management could see its way past that and so, in time, would the general public.

Perhaps one season in the cockpit in 2010 - done on the basis of a final year in F1 as a sort of senior advisor to Rosberg rather than an out and out championship contender - could settle that issue permanently.

Then there is the issue of The German Team. Mercedes are unnecessarily sensitive about the former Honda and Brawn operation being seen as an All German assault on the Formula 1 world championship. Especially since the team is on British soil and the cars designed by a Mancunian, Ross Brawn.

It really needn't be the PR obstacle they are envisaging. There will be a few sparky headlines and disaffected journalists but most would appreciate the upside - that Mercedes are close to becoming the biggest benefactor the sport has ever had.

Ferrari has almost always acted in its own best interests, occasionally lending its engines to rival teams but at a vastly inflated price for a second class power. Mercedes has done the opposite.

If they are investing in the sport at a time when the likes of BMW, Bridgestone and Toyota are heading for the hills then why shouldn't they get the rewards?

Of course this line of thinking leads to other swirling speculation; if your ultimate aim is to create a Team Germany then presumably, years down the road, you'd want it to be IN Germany.

If that was the case I'd imagine I would kick up about anyone mentioning the idea of Team Germany before its time had come.

Of course the first step would be to establish a Mercedes factory offshoot in Germany, perhaps Stuttgart, in the next couple of years.

But then why does it need to be based in Germany at all? Isn't winning enough, wherever you are based? Perhaps.

One thing is for sure; whoever guided a German driver to the world title in a German team could be certain that he would be richly rewarded within Mercedes - even if not quite as richly as Schumacher himself.

[Iceman]

Still no word, apparently an announcement may be made by JANUARY! :(

[Iceman]

Now this is going to be a very thrilling F1 races in the future!

this guys a genius and he's only posted twice!

[Iceman]

Willi Weber on Wednesday kept speculation alive that Michael Schumacher might be set to make a sensational full-time return to Formula One.

Rumours that the seven time world champion is to become Nico Rosberg's 2010 teammate at Mercedes GP are rife, and will only now intensify in the wake of comments made by 40-year-old Schumacher's long time manager.

Weber told the German weekly Bunte that, after the German had to call off his 2009 return to replace the injured Felipe Massa for health reasons, Schumacher is now "absolutely fit".

"His neck is also completely fine, just like his entire psyche," Weber added. "He could drive for victories."

[Iceman]

Nicki Lauda (3 time F1 World Champion) has claimed Michael Schumacher won't return, i'd add in some quotes and **** but this guy has no idea what he's on about, bring him back to the retirement home, ****ing has been.

[Harry!]

Im not a F1 fan but Schumacher is my fave F1 driver ever!

[Iceman]

Im not a F1 fan but Schumacher is my fave F1 driver ever!

That's because he is according to the sports offical website : "Statistically the best Formula 1 driver of all time" :spin:

[Harry!]

That's because he is according to the sports offical website : "Statistically the best Formula 1 driver of all time" :spin:

Cool.

[Iceman]

Nicky Lauda giving TV interviews now whoring himself out.....70 year olds should only have a say in what food they eat not F1...go home old man go home..

[Iceman]

Speculation is mounting over the possibility of Michael Schumacher making a sensational comeback to Formula One as a driver for the Mercedes GP team in 2010.

It is understood that the Mercedes team wants the seven-time world championship as their lead driver. Mercedes GP used to be Brawn GP before the German manufacturer bought a majority stake in the company just a few weeks ago.

Talks between the ex-F1 driver and Mercedes GP are believed to have started at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix and it has since been reported that Schumacher has been dropped from his consultancy role at Ferrari, leaving him potentially free to join Mercedes.

Should Schumacher race for Mercedes, it would reunite the partnership between him and Ross Brawn who is largely regarded as the mastermind behind Schumacher's seven titles in Formula One. He has remained at Mercedes GP as team boss.

A spokesperson for Schumacher has said that a return to F1 was 'highly unlikely - but never say never.' It is also thought that his neck injury, which ended hopes for a return to the driving seat earlier this season after Felipe Massa's accident, is expected to be fully healed by the end of the year.

[Iceman]

Michael Schumacher’s title-winning Benetton Formula One car from 1994 has appeared for sale on eBay.

The German drove the Ford Cosworth-powered car to his first of seven world titles. It is described as being in “racing condition”.

The seller, from Toronto, has advertised the car on the German eBay site and it is being sold with several spare parts, including two extra sets of wheels and tyres, and its data laptop, to monitor the fluid levels and temperatures.

The bodywork and livery remain identical to that seen during the 1994 season, but the damage Schumacher sustained in the 1994 season finale has been fixed.

The German controversially took the title after crashing into Damon Hill in Adelaide after suffering a problem. The collision forced Hill to retire and allowed Schumacher to maintain his one-point advantage and clinch his first world championship.

So far, the car has attracted 184 bids and has reached more than 2.6 million euro (£2.3m), although the winning bidder will have to pay an extra 10,000 euros (£9000) for shipping. The auction is scheduled to end on Monday.

Oh how I wish I was a millionaire :(

[Iceman]

History

Since the Formula One World Championship began in 1950 the title has been won by 31 different drivers, 14 of whom won more than one championship. Of the previous multiple champions the most prolific was Juan Manuel Fangio, whose record of five titles stood for five decades until it was eclipsed by the most dominant driver in the history of the sport. By the time he retired, still the man to beat after 16 seasons at the top, Michael Schumacher had seven driving titles and held nearly every record in the book by a considerable margin. Though his ethics were sometimes questionable, his sheer brilliance behind the wheel was never in dispute.

The most extraordinary driver's origins were most ordinary. He was born on 3 January, 1969, near Cologne, Germany, six years before his brother Ralf, who would also become a Formula One driver. Their father, a bricklayer, ran the local kart track, at Kerpen, where Mrs Schumacher operated the canteen. As a four-year old Michael enjoyed playing on a pedal kart, though when his father fitted it with a small motorcycle engine the future superstar promptly crashed into a lamppost. But Michael soon mastered his machine and won his first kart championship at six, following which his far from affluent parents arranged sponsorship from wealthy enthusiasts that enabled Michael to make rapid progress. By 1987 he was German and European kart champion and had left school to work as an apprentice car mechanic, a job that was soon replaced by full-time employment as a race driver. In 1990 he won the German F3 championship and was hired by Mercedes to drive sportscars. The next year he made a stunning Formula One debut, qualifying an astonishing seventh in a Jordan for the Belgian Grand Prix at Spa, whereupon he was immediately snapped up by Benetton, where in 1992 he won his first Formula One race, again at Spa, the most demanding circuit of them all.

Over the next four seasons with Benetton he won a further 18 races and two world championships. His first, in 1994, was somewhat tainted in that Benetton was suspected of technical irregularities and in their championship showdown race in Adelaide Schumacher collided (deliberately, some thought) with his closest challenger, the Williams of Damon Hill. But Germany's first world champion was unquestionably worthy of the 1995 driving title, following which he moved to Ferrari, then a team in disarray and without a champion since Jody Scheckter in 1979. The Schumacher-Ferrari combination began promisingly with three wins in 1996 and five more in 1997, though that season ended in infamy when in the final race, at Jerez in Spain, Schumacher tried unsuccessfully to ram the Williams of his title rival Jacques Villeneuve off the road. As punishment for his misdemeanour Schumacher's second place in the championship was stricken from the record books he would thereafter begin to rewrite.

After finishing second overall in 1998, Schumacher's 1999 season was interrupted by a broken leg (the only injury of his career) incurred in crash at the British Grand Prix. From then on there was no stopping 'Schumi' - who in 2000 became Ferrari's first champion in 21 years, then went on to win the driving title for the next four seasons in succession. In 2002 he won 11 times and finished on the podium in all 17 races. In 2003 he broke Fangio's record by winning his sixth driving title. In 2004 he won 13 of the 18 races to secure his seventh championship by a massive margin. Disadvantaged by an off-the-pace Ferrari in 2005 he still managed third overall in the standings. In 2006 he finished his career with a flourish (though at Monaco he was found guilty of deliberately parking his Ferrari to prevent anyone from beating his qualifying time): extending his pole position record to 68 (Ayrton Senna had 65), scoring seven victories to bring his total to 91 (40 more than his nearest rival, Alain Prost) and nearly winning yet another driving title.

Like all the great drivers Schumacher had exceptional ambition, confidence, intelligence, motivation, dedication and determination. What set him apart and helped account for his unprecedented length of time at the top of his profession was a pure passion for racing and an endless quest for improvement. Blessed with a supreme natural talent, he had a racing brain to match, possessing spare mental capacity that enabled him to make split-second decisions, adapt to changing circumstances and plan ahead while driving on the limit, which with his superb state of fitness (he trained harder than any driver) he was easily able to do for lap after lap. The smoothly swift and mechanically-aware driver operated with a keen sensitivity for the limits of his car and himself (he made comparatively few mistakes) and his feedback to his engineers (led by technical director Ross Brawn who worked with him throughout his career) was exceptionally astute.

No Ferrari driver worked harder for the team, nor were any of them more appreciated than the German who led the famous Italian Scuderia to six successive Constructors' Championships. He led by example, frequently visiting the factory at Maranello, talking to the personnel, thanking them, encouraging them, never criticising and invariably inspiring everyone with his optimism, high energy level and huge work ethic. The team was totally devoted to the driver who often said he loved the Ferrari ‘family’.

Life with his own family - wife Corinna and their children Gina-Maria and Mick - was deliberately kept as normal as possible (the children never came to the races) and held sacred by the essentially shy and private man who reluctantly became one of the most famous sportsmen in the world. Rich beyond his wildest dreams (he reportedly earned as much as US$100 million a year), he generously supported charities, especially those for underprivileged children, and to help victims of the 2004 Asian tsunami disaster he made a personal donation of US$10 million.

In his last season the 37-year-old driver who had made Formula One racing his personal playground was still at the peak of his powers. No champion had been so excellent for so long, but Michael Schumacher finally grew tired of the effort necessary to continue to excel and decided to quit while he was still ahead - so far ahead that his achievements are unlikely to ever be surpassed.

[Iceman]

The dream of uniting Michael Schumacher and Mercedes refuses to die after Norbert Haug failed to deny the link earlier this week - but is there actually anything to suggest it could really happen?

Those at the forefront of Formula One - namely Bernie Ecclestone and new FIA president Jean Todt - certainly have an affection for Schumacher and both understand the promotional potential of having him back in the series.

During Schumacher's aborted comeback earlier this year, Ecclestone admitted he would "like to see him stay for a lot of seasons".

Meanwhile Todt, who spent much of his F1 career working with the multiple world champion, well understands the weight Schumacher's involvement would give to the FIA flagship series as it faces questions over its status as a sporting spectacle following the ‘crashgate' saga and the loss of several major motoring brands that once enhanced its stature.

A Schumacher return with a new manufacturer team would be almost the perfect recovery route. And if Ecclestone is involved - which he undoubtedly would be - then it's hard to rule it out.

The arguments for the move are clear: Schumacher's F1 career was highly influenced by Mercedes (they paid for his first drive with Jordan, according to Eddie Jordan); he clearly still has the desire and the racing acumen to take on the best; his Ferrari role has been reducing since Todt pulled away from the team; Mercedes have always been keen to lure him to join them; the company's new team is born out of world champions Brawn and is capable of producing another title contender; he now has time to test and get up to speed; and, finally, several key parties are tip-toeing around the subject without issuing a flat denial.

Perhaps the most important element, however, is that Schumacher's links with Ferrari are long but his roots are with Mercedes and, as with many people in the paddock, he has a lot of belief in Ross Brawn.

When Virgin spoke of doing a deal with Brawn, Richard Branson made it clear that it was because of his admiration for the man behind the team (and, of course, he knew it would be good, quick publicity). Likewise, when Mercedes bought in it was because they believed in Brawn (and, of course, knew it was a quick and cheap way to get a self-named team racing at the front).

Schumacher, meanwhile, won all his world titles with Brawn and has massive respect for him (and, of course, without a space at Ferrari he knows that if he wants to return Brawn gives him the chance to fight at the front).

From Mercedes' side, you'd have to be crazy to think they wouldn't want him to join.

Formula One may be about racing, but in business terms it's all about publicity - and is a line-up of Rosberg and (if rumours are to be believed) Heidfeld really going to grab the headlines? Not really.

Even if they are running at the front, names like Alonso at Ferrari, Hamilton and world champion Button at McLaren and the off-the-wall Red Bull style of Vettel are more enticing story subjects. Mercedes, really, need a big name.

But, as Niki Lauda - who made two comebacks in his career - said back in July, any return will be Schumacher's decision, and his alone.

The disappointment he displayed over his failed comeback this season suggests Schumacher wants to return to the grid and the fact Nico Rosberg's contract is understood to prevent any team-mate earning more than him will not be an issue, as there are plenty of ways around that through other non-F1 Mercedes commitments, not to mention the other commercial agreements Schumacher could secure.

The only risk of return is to his reputation.

Would he be fast enough, and could he manage a full season? As long as he has enough testing time, the pace should be there, but the stamina could be under question. His injuries have only just healed and he would be 41 by the time of the first race, the oldest driver on the grid in 14 years since Nigel Mansell came back with McLaren.

Mansell, however, will admit his fitness was questionable while Schumacher is still a lean, mean racing machine. So if he wants to do it, there is no doubting that he can.

The problem is, this rumour gained momentum out of dreams more than concrete evidence, with a meeting in Abu Dhabi causing tongues to wag out of control - and subsequent comments from Schumacher's press agent Sabine Kehm, who told The Times this is a "beautiful story" but there are "no negotiations going on", should have ended speculation.

But back in July, when speculation built about Schumacher's return to replace injured Felipe Massa at Ferrari, his manager Willi Weber said "whoever sits in the car at the next race, it will not be Michael Schumacher. I am not 100 per cent sure, I am 200 per cent sure" - then Schumacher announced his comeback a few days later.

This week, in contrast, Weber told German weekly Bunte (apparently one of Schumacher's favourite publications) that Schumacher's neck is "completely fine" and added the German "could drive for victories".

Brawn, meanwhile, revealed he did discuss the future with Schumacher during that tongue-releasing meeting in Abu Dhabi, but that as he only wanted a temporary comeback and Brawn are looking long-term, the team boss admitted: "I don't think we're going to be together."

So who do you believe?

Personally, I would take Kehm's word for it. Straight down the line and always one to issue a "no comment" rather than try to steer a story, her complete denial of ongoing negotiations will for certain be an honest truth.

But those who still wish to dream can argue that her comment was made last Saturday, so with Christmas the deadline for Mercedes to reveal their second driver, there is still time for negotiations to open.

Maybe. Maybe not. But if it doesn't happen, Mercedes, Schumacher, and Formula One may have missed a great opportunity.

[Iceman]

Michael Schumacher's manager Willi Weber has said that the neck injury which prevented his Formula One comeback last season has healed.

In August, Ferrari announced that the seven-times World Champion would make a return to the cockpit to replace Felipe Massa, who sustained serious injuries in a qualifying accident at the Hungarian Grand Prix.

However, just days later Schumacher announced that a neck injury he sustained in a motorbike accident during the winter had not healed sufficiently for him to race.

Rumours of a comeback continue to persist, however, with former team owner Eddie Jordan claiming last week that Schumacher would race for Mercedes GP in 2010.

"His neck is completely fine - like his entire psyche," Weber told German weekly Bunte.

With Schumacher, who turns 41 in January, having retired at the end of 2006, Weber also downplayed fears that his reputation might suffer if a comeback is attempted.

"He could race for victories," he insisted before going so far as to suggest that Ferrari would run him if they were able to field a third car.

"If Ferrari could start the 2010 season with three cars, Ferrari boss Luca di Montezemolo would naturally put him in one of the cockpits," Weber added.

[pinkmichk]

blimey i've just read all that and we're still no clearer as if to he will be back or not
although from what i gather he is pals with bernie? maybe bernie can redeem all his bullshit and have a little word of encouragement in his ear
how cool would it be to win that car if we pool together *counts change pot to total of £2.73* :joker:
i feel for nico in a way cos he had the chance of being 'main' driver but if schumacher is his partner he will be 2nd seat again

[pinkmichk]

Im not a F1 fan but Schumacher is my fave F1 driver ever!

no offence but to me thats like me saying i am not a football fan but man u are my fav team ever he is bound to be a lot of peoples cos like said he best driver of all time so has had more media coverage etc if that makes sense

[Iceman]

counted my money €4.00 even....we'll rob a bank (not that they have any money in them anymore)

I think it wont happen now, but it does distract from the fact that F1 is slowly dying...(button becoming world champion, Flavio-Gate, Button going to Mclaren, Teams dropping out, spygate) any rumours of Schumacher are good pulicity and hey it gives me hope that the sport can recover!

[pinkmichk]

:joker: we might get a inch of tire for our combined moneys
i hope it does happen cos it'd be what the sport needs to survive you also forgot all the crap about british gp

[Iceman]

Here's a look at the current Grid for next year:

Campos Meta Team:
Bruno Senna
????

Scuderia Ferrari Marlboro:
Felipe Massa
fernando Alonso

Force India F1:
Adrian Sutil
Vitantonio Liuzzi

Lotus F1 Team:
????
????

Manor F1 Team:
Timo Glock
????

Vodafone Mclaren:
Lewis Hamilton
Jenson Button

Mercedes F1:
Nico Rosberg
Michael Schumacher/Kimi Raikkonen/Nick Heidfeld

Red Bull Racing:
Sebastian Vettel
Mark Webber

Renault F1:
Robert Kubica
????

Sauber F1(BMW previously): (announced today drivers announced soon)
????
????

Scuderia Toro Rosso:
Jamie Alguersuari
Sebastien Buemi

Team USF1: (Drivers will be announced if they can cover licence fee's)
????
????

AT&T Williams:
Rubens Barichello
Nico Hulkenberg


Drivers from 2009 without a drive:
Heikki Kovalinen
Jarno Trulli
Kazuki Nakajima
Kamui Kobayashi
Roman Grosjean

[Iceman]

yeah deadline for BGP is december 3rd i think....

[Iceman]

my bad its the 11th!

If Damon Hill ****s up and doesnt secure the British Grand Prix, bernie will just scrap it, he doesnt care about it, much better circuits in middle east, possibly a return to America.....shame though :(

[Iceman]

He may have to wait until next year to make his Formula One return, but Ferrari’s Felipe Massa will get the chance to sharpen his racing skills at his annual International Challenge of the Stars karting event in Brazil this weekend. It will be the first time Massa has driven competitively since he fractured his skull during an accident at the Hungarian Grand Prix back in July.

The Brazilian will be joined at the charity fundraiser by a host of famous motorsport names including seven-time world champion Michael Schumacher, 2010 Williams driver Rubens Barrichello, Force India’s Vitantonio Liuzzi, former Williams’ driver Antonio Pizzonia, 2004 Indycar champion Tony Kanaan and ex-F1 driver Christian Fittipaldi.

Former Renault driver - and fellow Brazilian - Nelson Piquet will also be in action and can’t wait to get started. “I’m happy that I can be back in Brazil to do Felipe’s race this weekend,” said the 24 year-old. “It’s going to be very competitive as usual, there are some great drivers confirmed and I want to try to win it this year!”

Both Schumacher and Piquet should be well prepared. Only last weekend they went up against some of the world’s best karters at the SKUSA Supernationals in Las Vegas, USA, finishing the final an impressive seventh and eighth respectively.

The Challenge of the Stars was launched by Massa in 2005. Last year it was won by Barrichello, whilst in 2007 Schumacher clinched the honours. In 2006 Massa himself secured the winner’s trophy. This year’s on-track action will get underway at a brand new circuit in the Brazilian city of Florianopolis on Saturday.

Schumacher has done the Race Of The Champions, Larting in Vegas and now this all in the past month..........i sense a comeback....:)

great for Massa aswell:)

[pinkmichk]

i'm sure i saw something maybe on jake humphries? twitter about someone as driver for lotus
i hope we dont lose he british gp that would be so crap why does this country care so much more about football than motorsport (there been loads more news coverage about the world cup football bid than there has been gp)

[Iceman]

I know, its just theres more supporters for footie than F1.. shame really a few years ago Britain having back to back world champions would have been huge news for months!

[pinkmichk]

football -UGH!! give me fast cars anyday

[Iceman]

Michael Schumacher's comeback continued to gain momentum today when the 40 year old German took Victory in a karting Race. The 7 time Formula 1 Champion raced for the third weekend in the past month, doing little to quash rumours of a return. Another Race is scheduled for tomorrow to decide an overall winner of the event.

Taking third position was Felipe Massa who raced for the first time since shattering his skull in July.

[Iceman]

FLORIANOPOLIS, Brazil (AP) -Formula One driver Felipe Massa beat Michael Schumacher in a charity karting race on Sunday in his return to competition four months after a life-threatening accident.

The Brazilian edged his former Ferrari teammate in the final race of the "International Challenge of the Stars'' in southern Brazil, a weekend event hosted by Massa for the fifth straight year to aid local charities.

Schumacher won the first race Saturday and clinched the overall title after points from both races were added. Massa finished third Saturday in his first competitive race since crashing his Ferrari in qualifying for the Hungarian Grand Prix on July 25.

"This is fantastic, even better than I expected,'' Massa said. "I did well racing against the best drivers in the world. I'm extremely happy.''

Things could get even better for Massa this weekend as his wife, Rafaela, is expecting the couple's first child. He had a plane waiting for him at the local airport in case she went into labor in Sao Paulo.

Massa missed the final part of the F1 season because of his injuries in Hungary. He suffered skull fractures and a left-eye injury that required multiple operations.

[Iceman]

SAO PAULO (AP) — Michael Schumacher says he has fully healed from his neck injury and indicated that he has not ruled out a return to Formula One next season.

Schumacher made the comments in Brazil, where he competed in a charity karting race hosted by former Ferrari teammate Felipe Massa.

When asked by local reporters whether he would be back in F1 in 2010, the German told the Terra Web site and other media: "Who knows?"

Schumacher said Sunday he has recovered from the neck injury that kept him from attempting a temporary comeback with Ferrari earlier this year.

[Iceman]

Schumacher has added fuel to the fire about an F1 return, the 40 year old is quoted as saying "Right now, i'm enjoying Karting, but who knows? Never say never"

[Iceman]

Schumacher is to meet with career long manager Willi Webber this coming weekend. However he has claimed no talk of mercedes or Ross Brawn will be discussed.

Is that confirmation enough that it's not happening?????


for me NO

[Iceman]

In the absence of a clear denial or an official announcement, speculation that Michael Schumacher is planning to return to F1 next year with Mercedes GP continues to grow.

The 40-year-old seven time world champion's father Rolf told the Cologne newspaper Express: "Michael is training every day like crazy. He's not doing that for nothing."

Bild newspaper reports that Schumacher gave his old neck-training machine to Nico Hulkenberg, because he has bought a brand new one.

F1 chief executive Bernie Ecclestone recently played down the suggestions about a comeback for the former Ferrari driver, but is now having seconds thoughts.

"I would personally doubt that he's going to make a comeback but, having said that, it's maybe getting a bit stronger than a rumour," the Briton told the Times.

It is believed that if Schumacher ultimately turns down the seat alongside Nico Rosberg, Mercedes has its former junior driver Nick Heidfeld next in queue.

"Well you'd have to pick Michael wouldn't you?" said Ecclestone, when told that Heidfeld and Schumacher are the contenders.

"If I was Michael I wouldn't do it, but I'm sure he knows he could get the job done," the 79-year-old added.

Schumacher's manager Willi Weber is set to meet with his famous client in Stuttgart on Monday, but he denies the location for the meeting has anything to do with the proximity of the Mercedes/Daimler headquarters.

"We are having a personal meeting, just as do we many times a year," he told the German news agency SID. "Norbert Haug and Mercedes are not on the agenda."

Mercedes' competition boss Haug also played down the circulating reports about a meeting between Schumacher, team boss Ross Brawn and Daimler CEO Dieter Zetsche in Abu Dhabi last month.

"There were no discussions on this subject in Abu Dhabi," he told Auto Bild.

[Iceman]

Michael Schumacher set to sign for Mercedes this coming wkend!

Un****ingbelievable!

[Iceman]

Monday!

[Wildcat!]

Is that for real?

[Iceman]

Is that for real?

Yup 7 million for a 1 year contract, he will retire then, he just wants to show the new kids up.

F1 just returned:devil:

[Wildcat!]

HOLLY MUTHAFKING GOD!!!!
Thats the biggest news fo the season""!!!!

[Iceman]

HOLLY MUTHAFKING GOD!!!!
Thats the biggest news fo the season""!!!!

its the biggest news since he retired.......i always said he wouldnt leave until he wona an eight title......I guarantee that he wins the world title.....i already have a 50 euro bet on it...ods of 10/1:dance:

[Iceman]

"I'll race against anybody," said Button. "I want to beat the best and he was one of the best." - Jenson Button

seriously this guy thinks he's good.....i cant wait until he fails miserably next year so i can say I told you so....

[Iceman]

Ferrari have said they won't block Schumacher from leaving his consultancy role!

[Iceman]

Germany V England Mahahahahahhahahahah Ich Bin Ein Berliner! ;);)

[Iceman]

Ferrari have confirmed Michael Schumacher has been let go from his consultancy role so he can sign for Mercedes. Michael is currently about to test in a GP2 car to ensure he can cope with the strains on his neck. Medical Tests are expected to be done over the weekend with an announcement expected imminently. However Schumacher may not have made any friends by coming out of retirement, his former boss and Ferrari President has branded him "a traitor" and "not the real Michael, his twin".

[Iceman]

Now that one Schumacher brother has returned what are the chances of another? Well not that far fetched, when asked about an F1 return Ralf Schumacher said he would consider it but only with a competitive team...............

at least we got the best one back eh?

[pinkmichk]

yeah its fecking marvellous we have one back *sarcasm*
button is officially a mclaren driver they apparently been showing him off was hoping they had a last minute change of heart

[Iceman]

yeah its fecking marvellous we have one back *sarcasm*
button is officially a mclaren driver they apparently been showing him off was hoping they had a last minute change of heart

He's gone, he'll never win a race again FACT!!! should have retired I think.

All hail the king, all hail the king! Wonder what the odds are for pole, fastest lap and win in his first race back?????:devil::devil:

[Iceman]

"I have been in the factory in Brackley now for two days and spent the time to get to know the engineers and the structures a bit better, and I am extremely positive surprised about how motivated everbody was. This a world champion team but it does not seem to be spoilt by success at all; it seems to be hungry for more instead!

It is important for me to be informed about everything and it was very interesting to get to understand the engineers and their structures and the way they work. I was there already around the time of the signature of the contract and learned a lot, now I have seen much more about the team.

I also was in the Mercedes-factory in Brixworth and I have to say that I am very impressed about the high level you see there. In Brixworth the people seem to be highly motivated as well and I find that encouraging, as it perfectly fits my personal mood. What I also liked was that you hear a lot of people speaking german there. That is nice for once, I am not so much used to that at my work, and I find it quite convenient."

[Iceman]

Michael Schumacher gets to test an F1 car next month ahead of his much anticipated F1 comeback. The 7-Time F1 World Champion will get to test his new Mercedes car early next month due to a change in F1 Rules and regulations. Schumacher has not been able to drive an F1 car other than Kimi Raikonnens Championship winning car.

[Wildcat!]

Michal always was one step above the competition, because he always got so involved in the car itself, instead of just the driving. He always manage to participate and give his input in settings and other engine related issues.

[Iceman]

Michal always was one step above the competition, because he always got so involved in the car itself, instead of just the driving. He always manage to participate and give his input in settings and other engine related issues.

He is the BEST.....he was a driver, an engineer, a consultant, a motivator an innovator......this is why he was the best!

[Iceman]

Schumacher finished 3rd today in his first day in a formula 1 car in 3 years. The 7 - time world champion put 40 laps on the board and finished behind Felipe Massa and Pedro De La Rosa.

[Iceman]

Fernando Alonso (ESP) Ferrari F10. Formula One Testing, Day Three, Valencia, Spain, Wednesday 3 February 2010. Fans flock into the grandstands to see Fernando Alonso (ESP) test the Ferrari for the first time. Formula One Testing, Day Three, Valencia, Spain, Wednesday 3 February 2010. Michael Schumacher (GER) Mercedes GP MGP W01. Formula One Testing, Day Three, Valencia, Spain, Wednesday 3 February 2010. Jaime Alguersuari (ESP) Scuderia Toro Rosso STR5. Formula One Testing, Day Three, Valencia, Spain, Wednesday 3 February 2010. Jenson Button (GBR) McLaren MP4/25. Formula One Testing, Day Three, Valencia, Spain, Wednesday 3 February 2010.

If the crowd of thousands that descended on the Valencia track on Wednesday made the trip to the Spanish circuit to watch local hero Fernando Alonso in action in a Ferrari for the first time, then they’ll leave well satisfied.

Not only did Alonso cover 127 laps over the course of the day, but he also topped the timesheets. Clocking a best time of 1m 11.470s, he finished over six tenths of a second ahead of the BMW Sauber of fellow Spaniard Pedro de la Rosa, as this week’s three-day test drew to a close.

Alonso focused on finding the best set-up in the F10 and assessing its handling with various fuel loads. De la Rosa, meanwhile, focused on tyre and set-up work in the C29 and completed 80 laps.

"We are quite satisfied with the first test,” explained BMW Sauber’s technical director, Willy Rampf. “As well as being reliable, it was important to see that the car responded to changes in the way we expected. The drivers' comments on the car basically were in line with that, which also helps the team to work in the right direction."

Mercedes GP took up the third-fastest slot, as Michael Schumacher completed his first full day behind the wheel of the MGP W01. Schumacher spent the morning working on set-up and balance, before switching to long runs in the afternoon. Although a hydraulic problem on the car brought the German’s day to a close one hour early, he covered a total of 82 laps.

"I'm very happy to have been back in a Formula One car this week,” he said. “We had a short run on Monday and then almost a full day today which has been good. The experience has been very positive and the car is running smoothly with just a small hydraulic leak which stopped us slightly early. The main focus is on reliability and doing as many laps as we can so we're not too worried about looking at the lap times right now.

“It's a new challenge and a new experience for me this year but knowing (team principal) Ross (Brawn) so well and working with him again has made it very easy and I feel at home in the team already. I'm feeling fresh and motivated and very positive about the season ahead. I can't wait to be back in the car to continue the programme in Jerez next week."

Just over a tenth slower than Schumacher was Jaime Alguersuari in the Toro Rosso. Alguersuari, who was enjoying his first taste of the STR5 after taking over the cockpit from team mate Sebastien Buemi, completed 97 laps.

“It felt good to complete my first-ever Formula one test session, as last season I was never able to do any testing,” said the Spaniard. “I was able to concentrate on understanding the car, without having to think about it in terms of a race weekend. Personally, I felt much stronger in the car, as I have been training hard in the three months since I last drove in Abu Dhabi. Today was a positive experience and I’m looking forward now to next week in Jerez. It’s too early to say much about the car’s performance, but it felt competitive.”

Also in their 2010 cockpit for the first time was Jenson Button in McLaren’s new MP4-25. Button covered 82 laps as he made his way to fifth in the times. Although his best was a full 1.5 seconds down on Alonso’s quickest time, the British team were well satisfied with how the day progressed, as Button ran a series of longer runs to find the right balance and set-up.

Sixth fastest was Formula One racing’s first-ever Russian driver, Vitaly Petrov, who made his debut for Renault and completed 75 laps in the French team’s R30.

“I really enjoyed my first day in the car and everything went well,” said the 25 year-old. “The car is very impressive compared with a GP2 car and I enjoyed experiencing the power and braking performance. After about 30 laps I was starting to feel comfortable and understanding the limits of the car. It was also my first chance to work with my engineers and so far everything is going really well so I'm happy with the day."

Wednesday’s final runner was fellow newcomer Nico Hulkenberg, who finished in seventh for Williams. Hulkenberg enjoyed a busy session, covering 126 laps.

“We worked on putting as much mileage as we could on the FW32 and achieved over 500 kilometres at the end of the day, bringing us to a test total of 1,213.5 kms,” said Williams’ technical director, Sam Michael. “We spent the three days working on set-up and long runs; the main systems on the car are proving reliable and are cooling sufficiently. There are the inevitable minor teething problems to resolve between now and Jerez, but it's been good to get out on track and start work with our new engine partner, Cosworth.”

The teams will be back in action from 10 February as next week’s four-day session gets underway at the Spanish circuit of Jerez.

Unofficial Wednesday test times from Valencia:
1. Fernando Alonso, Ferrari, 1:11.470, 127 Laps
2. Pedro de la Rosa, BMW Sauber, 1:12.094, 80 Laps
3. Michael Schumacher, Mercedes GP, 1:12.438, 82 Laps
4. Jaime Alguersuari, Toro Rosso, 1:12.576, 97 Laps
5. Jenson Button, McLaren, 1:12.951, 82 Laps
6. Vitaly Petrov, Renault, 1:13.097, 75 Laps
7. Nico Hulkenberg, Williams, 1:13.669, 126 Laps

[Iceman]

LONDON – Formula One boss Bernie Ecclestone has told the Sunday Express newspaper that F1 regulations allow teams to miss up to three races without penalty and that, as a result, the Campos and USF1 teams are unlikely to make the grid for the season opener in Bahrain.

Eccleston told the newspaper that the two teams need time to find more secure funding.

Ecclestone was quoted as saying: "I think we won't see (the Spanish team) Campos and I don't think we will see the Americans."

He said that his terms allow any team to miss up to three races. This could lead to a patchwork starting grid, with some of F1's 13 teams coming and going, depending on whether they can afford to race.

If fewer than eight teams turn up for a race, the F1 Group may also have to pay hefty fines for breaching its contract with the governing body that grants it the commercial rights to the sport.

A team based in Serbia is ready to take the position of any that drop out and is planning to buy the assets of Toyota's moribund team. Ecclestone said.

"They have got the money from the Serbian government, I've spoken to the prime minister."

Honda, BMW and Toyota have pulled out of the sport.