Will Gray

Gray Matter: Will Schumacher join Mercedes?

Thu Nov 26 04:03PM

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.

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With Schumacher it will be his Ego that decides!
From easyrider2609 on Thu Nov 26 05:03PM
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Someone here is taking the Michael, I have said all along Mutton leaving Mercedes GP was like throwing the baby out with the bath water and now Schumacher is allegedly back in the frame suddenly Gray Matter wakes up to the fact that it is Ross who makes world champions !
So lets get it straight once and for all, who ever ends up in the Mercedes GP car has the best chance of winning the WDC by Hungary 2010 and everyone else is racing for third place in the WDC, I'd like to think it is not to late for Mutton to buy himself out of his contract and return to Mercedes where he belongs but that is probably as far fetched as Schumacher coming back
From arttidesco on Thu Nov 26 05:35PM
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I said all along Mutton threw the baby out with the bath water
Lets get this straight once and for all the only contenders for the WDC next year are Mercedes GP drivers and one of them will have it wrapped up by the Hungarian GP
From arttidesco on Thu Nov 26 05:38PM
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I thought Branson fell in with Brawn because he fancied Mutton's girlfriend ?
From arttidesco on Thu Nov 26 05:39PM
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He won't come back he knows he'll take a beating from the younger drivers
From raymooosh71 on Thu Nov 26 06:00PM
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"and the fact Nico Rosberg's contract is understood to prevent any team-mate earning more than him"
Now we know why Brawn GP wouldn't pay button what he is worth.
arttidesco,
"who ever ends up in the Mercedes GP car has the best chance of winning the WDC by Hungary 2010 and everyone else is racing for third place in the WDC"
You are an idiot and it's far too early to speculate on the 2010 WDC.
Six races into the 2009 season, your logic would've given it to Button, but Hamilton & Vettel both performed well in the 2nd half.
Wit until half way into 2010 then say who will take the WDC.
From nicoladrew on Thu Nov 26 06:46PM
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Art do you think that anyone is interested in what you have said "all along"? No way.
From smith.simon95 on Thu Nov 26 06:55PM
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IF MS RETURNS --
-HOW MANY OTHER DRIVERS DOES HE INTEND SHUNTING OFF THE CIRCUIT
IN ORDER TO GIVE HIMSELF A BETTER TRACK POSITION ...?
From ivan66ivan on Thu Nov 26 07:41PM
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I hope he doesn't return. Theres plenty of good young drivers out there who can't get into f1 so it'd be a disgrace for him too come back (and be humiliated if Hamilton is in a decent car) his time has passed. Sure he was good (although not as good as the stats say) but this is an era without him. An era where you can't predict every race.
From samscott30 on Thu Nov 26 08:00PM
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how sad are these grandprix drivers.....I want to earn the most money....na....na...ni...na.....naa....
From flash_too on Thu Nov 26 09:15PM
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#6 Mark my words it will be over by Hungary and the winner will be driving a Mercedes GP Ross Brawn is THAT good which is I believe what this article in it's own sheepish way trying to say
#7 I also believe to the value of the inexpensive shirt on my back that Mutton tossed the 2010 WDC out the window the minuet he arrived at MuckLaren HQ, never mind he is lost to the world of liars and cheats now
If your not interested don't bother responding it's not rocket science
From arttidesco on Thu Nov 26 09:33PM
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the SS will decide on a schumacher return
From jerzymoo on Thu Nov 26 09:51PM
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Art,
you say that Button 'tossed the 2010 WDC' when he joined McLaren, well that's your opinion. Personally, if a driver (shall we say from a year previous to this) won the WDC in a McLaren then that would make your comment a load of rubbish wouldn't it?
Liars and cheats? He's not at Ferrari is he?? And I cite flexible floors et cetera....
From jonptaylor on Thu Nov 26 09:52PM
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artidesco,
I still say you're an idiot to speculate this early on the 2010 WDC.
I am interested in Formula 1, but not in reading opinions of idiots like you.
Do you understand my opinion of you ? It's not rocket science.
From nicoladrew on Thu Nov 26 10:06PM
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Off subject but is the Dubai GP now in dought now that Dubai World is in financial trouble, Has Bernies Far East bubble burst, bring back the traditional circuits like Silverstone, Spa & Montreal
From clive.crocksord on Thu Nov 26 10:26PM
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#13 Incase you had not noticed Brawn was competing with an inherited canine project the last time a McLaren driver won the WDC and it should be noted that McLaren failed to beat Ferrari in the Constructors Championship in 2008 despite the fact that Ferrari were nobbling Massa in order to give that pensioner Kimi Raikoennen a more than fair shout at the WDC, so good as Lewis undoubtedly is he only won the 2008 WDC because Ferrari had a pensioner on the books and Ferrari were prepared to loose face rather than give Massa a fair shout at the title.
Don't believe Kimi is a pensioner ? Then why is he ploughing up the fjords in his Traktor next year ?
Add to that some dubious man management in Australia by McLaren, add to that this years McLaren was as canine as the thing Ross Brawn inherited in 2008, add to that McLaren has just lost 40 percent of next tears R&D budget and had to buy back Mercedes 40 percent stake in the McLaren team,
On the face of it McLarens only asset going forward are to well paid drivers backed by no star designers, weak management crippled with having to find millions to meet it's projected R&D money and a new investor while wasting valuable resources on a mickey mouse cabriolet that will probably flop just as badly as that SLR abomination cobbled together with Mercedes (SM edition excluded).
Still think Mutton stands a chance as the junior partner with a new team against the track record of 8 WDC's accumulated by Ross Brawn's drivers, with all the added resources that McLaren have lost to Brawn I should coco ?
If Benson knew Mercedes was going to hook up with Ross he should have taken whatever Ross first offered him and got on with beating Rosberg to a couple of more championships, but he was either greedy or overcommitted on the rent he has to pay in Monaco and ended up throwing the lot away, what a plonker !
#14 Well as we Germans like to say there is not much popularity in being correct only much satisfaction in knowing and showing it to be so
If you turn around you should just be able to avoid the pendulum of change as it swings back to hit you in the face Now that really is not rocket science
From arttidesco on Thu Nov 26 10:52PM
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seb vettal would take michy shumy to the care home in 0.2!
From milnes60 on Thu Nov 26 10:54PM
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Pleasee Schumi, stay away. F1 has become exciting since you left!
From matts1610 on Thu Nov 26 11:06PM
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#17. There is no room in Sebs Red Bull for Schumi, Mickey will have to walk to the care home on his ownsome
From arttidesco on Thu Nov 26 11:09PM
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arttidesco
everyone is entitled to their opinion and you've certainly projected yours lol
however Button did not change to Mclaren for money, far from it, 6million a year compared to a rumoured 12million if he stayed with Mercedes.
The question or point you shouldve have put across is whether it was a good career move, we shall soon see...
From casualsmilez on Thu Nov 26 11:37PM
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I THINK MERCEDES IS THERSTY FOR A REALY CHAMPION CHIP, AND THEY TRYING TO MAKE DIRT TO WATER.
From job13salazar on Fri Nov 27 12:01AM
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#20 I am only stating the obvious that no one will challenge Mercedes GP next year based on the fact that Brawn GP won both the WDC and WCC on a very small budget with no works support in 2009.
Next year, and now with proper investment and budgets, that task has become much easier for Ross Brawn with full works support under the Mercedes GP brand than it was last year.
What ever possessed Mutton to move to a non works supported team we can only speculate but I find it hard to believe that Benson thinks he is going to beat Hamilton, most three year olds tell me that it ain't going to happen ! (And I shall eat skip loads of humble pie if Benson finishes next years WDC with in 30 points of Lewis.)
In short Mutton's move to McLaren is nothing short of a catastrophe bearing in mind he was the incumbent WDC at Brawn / Mercedes GP which is over seen by the single most significant mind in F1 since 1994.
Benson waited ten years for an opportunity to dominate and then walked away from it after just one year for a team where he is not the highest earner nor the youngest driver, nor the driver groomed since he was teenager to become a multiple world champion.
There is nothing to see, Benson is unlikely to challenge for race wins for the rest of his career let alone championships.
From arttidesco on Fri Nov 27 12:07AM
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it is time to prove that Schumi a true champion of F1........
From leucherkiong on Fri Nov 27 12:46AM
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Alonso will beat Schumacher ("the cheater") again.. GO ALONSO after Ayrton Senna the best all time..
From jgonzalof on Fri Nov 27 04:35AM
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arttidesco,
"#20 I am only stating the obvious that no one will challenge Mercedes GP next year based on the fact that Brawn GP won both the WDC and WCC on a very small budget with no works support in 2009."
So based on that logic, 12 months ago you would've said that either Ferrari or McLaren would've breezed to the 2009 titles because they won the 2008 titles, yet look what happened.
The wisest thing you can do at this stage is keep quiet and wait and see.
It is too early to say that any team will dominate in 2010 and we have seen many times that dominant teams change over the winter.
By insisting you are right, you are only setting yourself up for criticism if it all goes wrong.
Touronroute made the same mistake and is now paying for it.
And just because you don't like Button (or any other driver & team) is no reason to be disrespectful.
From nicoladrew on Fri Nov 27 07:36AM
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I find it ridiculous to suggest that a driver line-up of Rosberg and Heidfeld wouldn't cut it for Mercedes. The former is a great young talent with huge race-winning potential and the cockpit experience to back it up. Heidfeld, meanwhile, is one of the safest pairs of hands on the grid and can wring solid points finishes out of nothing.
Just because neither of these drivers are headline grabbers, it doesn't make them any less capable of bringing on the results; and it certainly doesn't mean that F1 needs to go rooting around on the past to bring back it's most controversial figure, in order to restore some perceived lost credibility!
From jailbreak1 on Fri Nov 27 07:48AM
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Nico Rosberg is totally overrated IMO. He has scored about 1 point for every race he's started compared to Jenson Button who has 1.9 points per race over a 10-year career with a couple of very bad years in it and Lewis Hamilton who's on about 4.9 points per race. Nico doesn't have the innate consistency to become world championship material.
Will Gray wrote an excellent article about how much teams improved over this year. Brawn improved the least (about 1sec per lap). McLaren improved the most (about 2.5sec per lap). McLaren turned a dog of a car into a significant race winner over a season where no testing was allowed.
This means that Arttidesco's comments on McLaren being no-hopers and Brawn cleaning up are unlikely. Fingers crossed Button made the right move (Of course, I'm very partisan because I'm from the same home town as Jenson - Go Frome Flyer!)
From dnpayneuk on Fri Nov 27 09:28AM
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Marttidesco:lol
Looks like you like to type 'Mutton' in every you post you make bar one ...yes I read every one, you're an idiot.
From mannersrule on Fri Nov 27 09:36AM
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screwu pastey lackeys-go a head delete the
kobayashi artice you ham fisted paste face loseres
fu@@$ ireland-o-drunkzzzzzz-fot u elle
From zipzap52002 on Fri Nov 27 09:56AM
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what is 4.5 klm long and has an iq of 48?
this irish website!
From zipzap52002 on Fri Nov 27 09:59AM
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