2253 replies to this topic

[DrDickAction]

Kubica to Ferrari a possibility?

Doubt that will happen unless Kimi announces his retirement in the next 2 weeks. all around

[Skyliner]

Who will take Massa's place at Valencia?

The internet has been buzzing with rumours that Schumacher himself could be srafted in to take Massa’s place. Fernando Alonso, who could be without a drive for his home race after Renault’s suspension, has also been linked to the number three car. Who will end up in the seat?


Michael Schumacher

The man himself has not said whether he would drive for the team or not - and there have been mixed messages from those close to him.

His spokesperson Sabine Kehm indicated he might return to his old team:

The whole thing will be considered by Ferrari. If they approach Michael, then he will consider it. But there is no reason for him to step into their discussion. Usually, I would say he’s not interested because he’s fine with his life and he doesn’t miss anything but now the situation is so different - it’s very hypothetical.

Luca Colajanni added:

We have said before that it is possible that Michael Schumacher could return to help us out… We have two test drivers at Ferrari (Luca Badoer and Marc Gene) at the moment and Michael is an advisor. We have not spoken to him, but it is possible that this might happen. But we will have to wait and see what happens. It is something for (Ferrari team principal) Stefano Domenicali to consider over the coming weeks.

But manager Willi Weber has consistently denied the rumours.

Whoever sits in the car at the next race in Valencia, it will not be Michael Schumacher. I am not 100 per cent sure; I am 200 per cent sure. The pressure on him would be huge. He would be expected to win, but he has not driven this car. When Michael was racing he would get as close to perfection as possible. In this case, it would not be perfection; it would be a gamble - and that’s not Michael’s style.

Managers, however, are paid to get the most money for their clients - and they do not do that by willingly offering them up.

There are more practical reasons why Schumacher might not take up the drive. He hurt his neck in a bike crash in February. And questions remain about his willingness to partner top-level drivers like Kimi Raikkonen.


Fernando Alonso

With Renault banned from the Valencia race, and Fernando Alonso having been linked to a future Ferrari drive for some time, it’s not surprising that some people have put two and two together and begun to wonder if Alonso might appear in Ferrari overalls soon.

In reality there would be significant contractural obligations to overcome. He is employed by Renault and has various personal sponsorships. Whether he could make the leap to Ferrari depends on whether Renault’s suspension from the Valencia race might be sufficient to activate any break clauses Alonso might be able to take advantage of.

On the other hand you have to question how desirable it might be for Ferrari to have Alonso in for just one race before a likely return to Renault, and then have to find another replacement.

Added to that, with Renault planning to appeal their suspension it is not even certain Alonso will be available.


Robert Kubica

In a similar vein to Alonso, the news BMW are withdrawing from F1 has prompted speculation Robert Kubica could be drafted into the Ferrari.


Valentino Rossi

Perhaps the most ‘out-there’ suggestion of the lot. But Rossi has tested for the team and has shown an interest in competing in four-wheeled motor sports, mainly rallying. His gigantic popularity would create masive interest in the race.

And there isn’t a Moto GP race on that weekend…


David Coulthard

If any of the first three names on this list were to end up in the car it would be a remarkable development. Could Ferrari go for a similarly experienced but less high-profile choice?

It’s worth remembering who the team chose in 1999. Mika Salo had lost his F1 seat before the start of the year but had a decent amount of experience. Looking for a similar driver this year they could hardly do better than pick David Coulthard.

One of the most experienced F1 drivers ever, Coulthard drove with Ferrari engines in 2006. He has contractural obligations to Red Bull and the BBC, but they might be persuaded to reach a compromise. Dietrich Mateschitz’s company still uses Ferrari power in their Toro Rosso cars.


Luca Badoer

Badoer has been a Ferrari tester for aeons. But he didn’t get the call-up last time Ferrari needed to replace an injured driver, so why should he this time, now his last F1 race is almost a decade ago?


Marc Gene

Of the two Ferrari testers, Gene is probably the more likely to appear at Valencia. He has more recent experience as a racing driver than Badoer, having last raced in 2005, and has appeared as a substitute on two separate occasions.

Added to that, he is Spanish, which is likely to go down well with the crowd, particularly if they are having to make do without Alonso.

Counting against Gene are doubts over his race craft: he was dropped by Williams during his last appearance as a substitute in favour of Antonio Pizzonia.


Vitantonio Liuzzi

Liuzzi perhaps fits the Salo mould even better - he has far fewer F1 starts to his name than Coulthard does, but is still young and has been tipped to return to Formula 1 in the future.

He would be the first Italian driver to race a Ferrari since Nicola Larini in 1994, which would inevitably attract a lot of media attention.

Liuzzi’s employment by an active F1 team - even one as lowly as Force India - may count against him. Particularly as they enjoy close technical co-operation with rivals McLaren.


Anthony Davidson

Like Liuzzi, race-fit and recently unemployed, Davidson has only made the occasional appearance in sports car races this year.


Anyone else?

Ferrari tested three young Italian drivers in the off-season: Edoardo Piscopo, Salvatore Cicatelli and Mirko Bortolotti. Although F2 racer Birtolotti impressed it would be highly unusual for Ferrari to elevate a complete rookie to the team at short notice. It has been decades since a driver made their F1 debut in a Ferrari.

Source: F1 Fanatic Article

A lot of rehash from previous posts, but I thought it was a good article.

[yonson]

I'd really like to see Schumi do it, DC would be cool as well, but I'd really like to see Kimi and Schumi battle it out

[Skyliner]

Schumacher to make F1 return in Spain

By Jonathan Noble Wednesday, July 29th 2009, 16:51 GMT

Michael SchumacherMichael Schumacher, the seven-times world champion, plans to come out of retirement as Felipe Massa's replacement at Ferrari from the European Grand Prix.

Following days of speculation about who would slot in alongside Kimi Raikkonen following Massa's Hungarian GP crash, Ferrari issued a statement on Wednesday afternoon confirming that Schumacher was being prepared for the role.

The statement said that Schumacher was 'ready' to make his F1 return, and would undertake a training programme over the next few days to ensure he was up to full fitness for an F1 race.

The German, who quit F1 at the end of 2006, injured himself in a motorbike accident earlier this year and the team want to make sure there are no hidden problems before confirming his position.

Schumacher has previously baulked at the idea of returning to F1 full-time, but with Massa looking likely to return when he is back to full fitness, and Ferrari in need of a top-line driver, the opportunity is one that has attracted him.

"The most important thing first: thanks God, all news concerning Felipe are positive. I wish him all the best again," said Schumacher.

"I was meeting this afternoon with Stefano Domenicali and Luca di Montezemolo and together we decided that I will prepare myself to take the place of Felipe.

"Though it is true that the chapter Formula 1 has been closed for me since long and completely, it is also true that for loyalty reasons to the team I cannot ignore that unfortunate situation. But as the competitor I am, I also very much look forward to facing this challenge."

Once Schumacher gets the green light, it will be the first time he has raced alongside Kimi Raikkonen, as the pair bid to secure Ferrari third place in the constructors' championship.

It also comes at a time when Ferrari's F60 appears to have made good progress on the track, and its KERS could prove to be an advantage in the forthcoming races at Valencia, Spa, Monza and Singapore.

Schumacher has not tested the current F60, and has not driven since April 2008 when he ran an F2008 at Barcelona.

The announcement of Schumacher's plans comes 24 hours after his manager Willi Weber totally ruled out the possibility of the German racing in Valencia.

"Whoever sits in the car at the next race in Valencia, it will not be Michael Schumacher. I am not 100 per cent sure; I am 200 per cent sure," Weber was quoted as saying by The Daily Mail.

"The pressure on him would be huge. He would be expected to win, but he has not driven this car. When Michael was racing he would get as close to perfection as possible. In this case, it would not be perfection; it would be a gamble - and that's not Michael's style."

Source: Autosport article

[Skyliner]

I'd really like to see Schumi do it, DC would be cool as well, but I'd really like to see Kimi and Schumi battle it out

It looks like you'll get your wish.

[Dr. Jimmmah!]

This race suddenly just went from one of the most boring races in '09 to one of the most anticipated.

One problem... Will I be able to put MS in my PFF1 team?

I really don't give a shit if its just a publicity stunt, its working.

[DrDickAction]

This race suddenly just went from one of the most boring races in '09 to one of the most anticipated.

One problem... Will I be able to put MS in my PFF1 team?

I really don't give a shit if its just a publicity stunt, its working.

[AErrorist]

Damnit, I wanted Sato!

[mads]

I just shat a brick the size of Kubica's Nose

[cASe SenSiTive]

[Robert]

OK THIS IS TOO EPIC TO STAY AWAY.
RUSTY SCHUMI VS DRUNK KIMI


GOOGOOGOGGO

[_R_]

This race suddenly just went from one of the most boring races in '09 to one of the most anticipated.

IBF60 becomes championship contender by years end...

this came out of no where

Lewis vs Kimi vs Alonso vs Shummi vs Vettel vs Button/Brawn

[Redliner]

But you guys realize that he won't be very competitive at all right? At least IMO...in-season testing ban FTMFL.

[_R_]

I don't even like the guy and i'm excited to see what happens...

[yonson]

OK THIS IS TOO EPIC TO STAY AWAY.
RUSTY SCHUMI VS DRUNK KIMI


GOOGOOGOGGO

[yonson]

I don't even like the guy and i'm excited to see what happens...

[kngrsll]

omg this is going to be awesome

[doublemeat]

Michael -

BMW -

[Nacho]

How many people will MS beat in WDC points after he shows up mid-season?

[Deadpool]

Schumacher news = ridiculously epic.

BMW news = sad, but at the same time I'm pissed that they're just bailing. It better get sold.

[Dazed1]

Can't wait for the race. Schumi's not driven Valencia has he? Forgot which year it was introduced in.

This is going to be so much fun.

[DrDickAction]

But you guys realize that he won't be very competitive at all right? At least IMO...in-season testing ban FTMFL.

That's what makes this so compelling...how will he do? How rusty will he be? Will he show up an unmotivated Kimi?

[DrDickAction]

Can't wait for the race. Schumi's not driven Valencia has he? Forgot which year it was introduced in.

This is going to be so much fun.

never has, this is year 2 of Valencia.

[vietlol]

I don't even like the guy and i'm excited to see what happens...

double never liked the guy but this will be awesome

[MrHahn]

That's what makes this so compelling...how will he do? How rusty will he be? Will he show up an unmotivated Kimi?

If anything's going to motivate Kimi - it's Schuey returning.

ibBBCsackridehamiltonandhisnewfastcarsayinghesbetterthanschumi+sennacombined