[Iceman]

Originally Posted by Wildcat!

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]

Originally Posted by lili

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]

Originally Posted by Rory

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!!!

(I wish it was BTW)

[lily.]

Originally Posted by Schumacher

how Lil tonight?????

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

[Iceman]

Originally Posted by lili

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

Cool cool, chat to ya soon! XXX

[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.

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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]

Originally Posted by eventcrasher

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]

Originally Posted by Recylopse

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"

[Harry!]

Originally Posted by Schumacher

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

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*
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]

Originally Posted by Recylopse

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!