The Schumacher Comeback Thread

[Picci]

With so many rumours about the man flying all over the world, I think it deserves a thread of its own where developments can be discussed.

[Picci]

From The Times

Bernie Ecclestone fanned the flames of speculation yesterday over the return of seven-times world champion Michael Schumacher as the man to replace Jenson Button at Mercedes Grand Prix.

Schumacher has remained enigmatic on the subject save for a comment to reporters at a karting event in Brazil last weekend when he replied “who knows?” to questions about whether he was planning a comeback.

Ecclestone told The Times that he was no longer sure what might happen with the most successful driver in the sport’s history.

“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,” he said.

Ecclestone knows that a return for the German legend would be a huge box-office draw for Formula One. “Oh, it would be magic,” Ecclestone said. “You saw the interest he created when he was going to come back after Felipe Massa had his accident.”

Apart from Schumacher, other drivers linked with the seat at Mercedes, who have already announced Nico Rosberg in one side of the garage, include Kimi Raikkonen, Robert Kubica and Nick Heidfeld.

However, Raikkonen has now signed a year-long contract to drive for Citroën in the World Rally Championship and it seems that Kubica’s future at Renault is safe, even if the ownership of the team has yet to be sorted out. That leaves only Heidfeld who, like Kubica, was released by BMW Sauber at the end of last season.

Ecclestone believes that if it comes down to a choice between the two Germans, one aged 40 with 91 grand prix wins to his name, the other aged 31 without a victory in ten seasons in Formula One, then it is a no-brainer for Mercedes — if Schumacher is willing to take the risk.

“Well you’d have to pick Michael wouldn’t you?” he said. “There’s no discussion about that. It’s the obvious thing. Whether or not this is going to happen, I don’t know. If I was Michael I wouldn’t do it, but I’m sure he knows he could get the job done.”

Kubica had been viewed as a possible candidate for Mercedes had Renault decided to pull the plug on its Formula One operation before the end of this year.

However, it is now known that the French car manufacturer is examining the sale of a controlling stake in its team to outside investors in a partnership deal which will see the outfit continue to race in Formula One under Renault colours. Initially there was thought to be one bidder in the form of David Richards, the owner of Prodrive, but then a second consortium emerged, led by Gérard Lopez, a Luxembourg-based businessman.

It now seems there are other bidders. Ecclestone revealed that there are two more groups trying to get hold of the team. “Richards is up against more than somebody,” he said. “There is the Gérard Lopez group, there is David Richards and then there are another two people.”

The Formula One promoter said that he was hopeful a deal will be done before Christmas. “I don’t think there is any big rush to get something done. But the sooner the better for everybody. I hope it can be done within the next ten days and before everybody breaks up for Christmas.”

Motorsport.com: Schu's manager hints at Christmas delay

The Michael Schumacher camp is still giving nothing away while refusing to quell rumours linking the 40-year-old with a 2010 return to Formula One.

The seven time world champion's long time manager Willi Weber was scheduled to meet on Monday with Schumacher in Stuttgart, although he insisted the location has nothing to do with the proximity of the Mercedes/Daimler headquarters.

But afterwards, Weber said "I don't know yet" when asked by the Cologne publication Express for more information about Schumacher's plans for next year.

Intriguingly, however, Weber mentioned the looming festive season, on the same day that Mercedes' Norbert Haug also warned that the identity of Nico Rosberg's teammate might not be known until after Christmas.

"That is speculation and I don't want to participate in it," said Weber when pressed again about the Mercedes rumours.

"Let's wait, even though soon it is Christmas."

ec.8 (GMM) Nico Rosberg has revealed he would welcome sharing a Mercedes GP garage next year with the most successful driver in F1's history.

The 24-year-old German's comments, to the Swiss specialist publication Motorsport Aktuell, will only intensify speculation that countryman Michael Schumacher is contemplating a sensational return to the grid he departed at the end of 2006.

"It would be a very interesting challenge, and a super lineup," Rosberg, who has already been named as Mercedes' first driver for the 2010 season, said.

The former Williams driver, however, denied that has willingness to have 40-year-old Schumacher as a teammate indicates the move is therefore likely to happen.

"Honestly, I have no idea," he said.

[Waldorf]

Please stay retired.

[MiÑardi]

I guess it depends if hes been keeping fit over the last couple of years. Prost was strong when he came back in 1993. I wouldn't like to see it go the way of Mansell in 95 though

[MonteCristo]

I wouldn't like to see it go the way of Mansell in 95 though

I would .

[The Ghost Who Walks]

With so many rumours about the man flying all over the world, I think it deserves a thread of its own where developments can be discussed.

There's rumours about Tiger Woods too - where's his thread

[MonteCristo]

With so many rumours about the man flying all over the world, I think it deserves a thread of its own where developments can be discussed.

There's rumours about Tiger Woods too - where's his thread

Not in his pants...

[Erton]

Too fat to enter the cockpit .... wel that may sound interesting ^.^

I suggest a 1 month stage with the Finn club including Rosberg Sr, Hakkinen, Raikkonen to learn drinking fun.
After this he'd maybe see clear and stay out of F1 driving for damn sake

[Picci]

With so many rumours about the man flying all over the world, I think it deserves a thread of its own where developments can be discussed.

There's rumours about Tiger Woods too - where's his thread

I didn't know Tiger Woods is planning to enter F1..

[Kai-Star]

What about Thierry Henry? He's pretty good with his hands.

[The Ghost Who Walks]

With so many rumours about the man flying all over the world, I think it deserves a thread of its own where developments can be discussed.

There's rumours about Tiger Woods too - where's his thread

I didn't know Tiger Woods is planning to enter F1..

Apparently it's about the only thing he's not planning to enter

[Picci]

This is to me the clearest indication yet that there is something between the two parties:

Amid rumours Michael Schumacher is considering a sensational return to Formula One, Nick Fry on Thursday threw another log on the fire.

The 40-year-old is linked with the vacant second cockpit at Mercedes GP, and the Brackley based team's chief executive refused to deny that Schumacher could become teammate to his German compatriot Nico Rosberg.

"I think whether it be Michael or another prior world champion, I think that just adds another very interesting element," he told the Reuters news agency from the Motor Sport Business Forum in Monaco.

When asked specifically about Schumacher, Fry said only that the team is "discussing things with a number of different drivers".

The Briton insisted, however, that a veteran like Schumacher - who turns 41 next month - could be competitive alongside 24-year-old Rosberg.

"Can a 40 or 41-year-old compete against someone who is 24 years old? In other sports people have proven that they are very capable even at that age," said Fry.

"I think that would add another fascinating aspect and I think it is irrelevant whether it is Michael or Jacques (Villeneuve)."

Nick Heidfeld is also linked with the seat and Fry confirmed that Rosberg's teammate will ideally also be an experienced driver.

[xcraigx]

Please stay retired.

Nien! Put Herr Schumacher with Rosberg and painten zee cahrs viz ze colors of ze Fatherland!

I'd like to see him make a comeback. It would be great just to see if he can still keep up with todays young fellas.

Plus, I'd finally be rooting for someone my age out there.

[Picci]

autosport.com:

Speculation about Michael Schumacher's potential Formula 1 comeback with Mercedes has moved up a gear after German newspaper Bild reported today that a deal had been agreed.

Although Bild did not quote any sources, it said it had learned that a one-year deal had been concluded and that a contract would be signed imminently ready for an announcement next week.

Both the Schumacher camp and Mercedes declined to comment on the report.

autosport only puts a Bild report on its website if it really thinks there's something in the air.

[Waldorf]

autosport.com:

Both the Schumacher camp and Mercedes declined to comment on the report.

I always thought "the Schumacher camp" referred to his fashion sense.

[Picci]

Mercedes chief executive Nick Fry says the possible return of former Formula One champion Michael Schumacher would be "good for our team."

Fry said Tuesday that the former Brawn GP team was also in talks with other drivers "if Michael were to decide not to drive."
The 40-year-old Schumacher retired in 2006 after winning a record seven F1 titles. He abandoned plans for a temporary comeback with Ferrari this year because of a neck injury from a motorcycle crash.
Fry said Nico Rosberg's "apprenticeship" is over and wins are expected of him this coming season. He also criticized defending champion Jenson Button's move from Brawn GP to drive alongside 2008 winner Lewis Hamilton at McLaren.

[Erton]

I honestly don't see the aim of Schumacher comeback. he won everything, now enjoys coool life, has fun in karting but wants to drive a faster car ... meh . Besides ex Brawn may not be the same winning car as it was this year, so if ever the car doesn't perform well, i wonder if even Schumi fans would enjoy this situation. Not talking about a possible injury in an accident, you know how quick it can go in F1. He wants to win another races/title otherwise if its just for a pleasure to drive quick cars, he'd better go on track with one of his Ferraris enzo.

[Kai-Star]

Mercedes, Ross Brawn, a desire to compete more than anyone else. How is this not conceivable? Anyway I feel Schumacher will not confirm until he gets his fitness up to scratch over the Christmas break. That's my guess.

[MiÑardi]

I read somewhere that he was going to test a GP2 car. Can't remember if it was a reliable source or not though

[Picci]

I read somewhere that he was going to test a GP2 car. Can't remember if it was a reliable source or not though

It's not quite a reliable source, because Bild said so.

[Schumack]

In terms of schumacher news Bild is very reliable. They first wrote about retirement, comeback/massa replacement, neck problem. And most quotes (which turn out to be true)about comeback II are from Bild.

[Schumack]

Michael Schumacher has told Ferrari that there is a "very, very, very strong possibility" that he will race for Mercedes-Benz in Formula 1 next year, team president Luca di Montezemolo has revealed.

Although there has not yet been any official word from the Schumacher or Mercedes-Benz camps about the progress of talks in relation to an amazing comeback for the seven-time world champion, di Montezemolo has given away just how far advanced the situation now is.

Speaking to selected media, including AUTOSPORT, at Ferrari's Christmas lunch in Fiorano on Thursday, di Montezemolo shed fresh light on the Schumacher developments.

"I hadn't spoken to him since Abu Dhabi but I spoke to him yesterday (Wednesday)," said di Montezemolo about Schumacher's Mercedes-Benz situation.

"He phoned me and he told me that there is a very, very, very strong possibility [of racing for Mercedes-Benz]. Having said that, it is not 100 per cent decided. But that is what he said yesterday morning."