Is Michael really retiring? Bernie says....... - Benzworld.org

Jakarta Expat · 09-16-2006, 07:26 AM

Friday, Sept. 15, 2006

Schumacher may return: Ecclestone
FRANKFURT (AP) Formula One boss Bernie Ecclestone believes Renault would "immediately" hire Michael Schumacher if he rescinded his decision to retire at the end of the season.

Ecclestone said in a column for Sport-Bild weekly that he doesn't think the seven-time F1 champion's decision is final and that he could return to racing next year.

"I know that Renault would take him immediately. It's up to him only," Ecclestone said. "I have the feeling that he had to make a decision at a time when he really didn't want to."

The 37-year-old Schumacher announced he would retire at the end of the season just moments after winning the Italian Grand Prix on Sunday. He is two points behind Renault driver and standings leader Fernando Alonso with three races remaining.

Alonso is leaving Renault at the end of the season to drive for McLaren-Mercedes, while Kimi Raikkonen is leaving McLaren to replace Schumacher at Ferrari.

Meanwhile, Schumacher's manager, Willi Weber, has demanded an apology from Alonso for calling the German the "most unsporting driver" in F1 history.

"Michael is the man with the most sanctions and the most unsporting driver in the history of Formula One," Alonso told Spanish radio station Marca on Monday.

Weber called the comments "an incredible insult" that were "completely under the belt."

"Michael will give an appropriate answer on the track," Weber told Bild newspaper.

Alonso also hinted that the championship has been fixed in favor of Schumacher.

Alonso was penalized five places on the starting grid for blocking Ferrari's Felipe Massa in qualifying Saturday and started 10th. Alonso withdrew on Sunday when his engine failed 10 laps from the end.

"No one is going to believe the penalty I was given for a long time to come," Alonso said.

Renault director Flavio Briatore also suggested initially that the championship had been fixed for Schumacher, but later withdrew the implication, saying it was meant as a joke.

Ecclestone, in his column in Sport-Bild, said Alonso's penalty was a "farce."

"There is simply no proof that Alonso had blocked Massa," said Ecclestone, adding that Ferrari is the only team that gets "political support" from FIA, motor sports' governing body.

**Teutone** · 09-18-2006, 01:29 PM

I thought Schumi had at least two years of top racing left in him. IMOP a great scenario for 2007 (wishful thinking on my part) would have been Michael and Kimi with equal status at Ferrari. Check out this 2007 projection, http://uk.sports.yahoo.com/18092006/...-26m-2007.html . The 275 GTB Ferrari in Paris clip and Hans Stuck on the old Suedschleife Nuerburgring clip have been posted here before. I you have not yet seen them, enjoy: http://video.google.com/videoplay?do...190547&pl=true http://www.bmwtransact.com/microsite...ng/M3_race.swf

**Teutone** · 09-18-2006, 01:45 PM

BTW, I think the present points system does not work to well. The spread from first to second is too narrow IMOP. 11 points for a win plus points for top qualifier and maybe fasted race lap, what do you guys think?

Jakarta Expat · 09-18-2006, 02:39 PM

Bernie and the teams will keep it. It keeps thing tight and gives the underdogs a chance to play catch up quickly if they are behind. If there was anymore of a spread it could easily turn around to a situation from a few years back where 1 team was dominating for the whole year and walking away with the title like Ferrari has done a few years and MaClaren did as well while Hakkenin was there. Oh and by the way I do not think their victories were anything to do with Hakkenin skills but the car was the real winner during those years. Kimi on the other hand is the real deal.

Jakarta Expat · 09-18-2006, 02:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Teutone

I thought Schumi had at least two years of top racing left in him. IMOP a great scenario for 2007 (wishful thinking on my part) would have been Michael and Kimi with equal status at Ferrari. Check out this 2007 projection, [url]http://uk.sports.yahoo.com/18092006/13/retired-schumacher-earn-26m-2007.html

The man was clearly in pain and did not want to resign when he made his annoucement and yes I agree he has at least 2 maybe 3 more great years in him. Think any chance he would waive what is in his contract to resign and move over to Brotori's team?

**Teutone** · 09-18-2006, 02:59 PM

That would be interesting and clearly worth the price of admission. BTW, sent a PM.

**mcbear** · 09-18-2006, 11:31 PM

I think Michael has at least two or three more years of top tier driving in him and agree that watching him and Kimi in equal Ferrari's would have been very good.

Equally interesting, I think would be for Michael to end his career for a "home team" like either BMW or Mercedes. If Mercedes could provide a Championship ride, Michael could surely provide a Championship drive and go out in Fangio style in Silver Arrows. The big IF would be, of course, if Mercedes could put together a car that would be up to Michael's skill level.

As for Alonso, he needs to make his opinions SHOWN on the track and podium, not on some Spanish talk show. He did well last year when Ferrari was developing a new car, it will not be as easy with that car in full song. These last three races should be great.

Alonso is a very good driver but one Championship does not make a Champion. There are only a handful of true Champions and Alonso will have to work very hard to make the cut, just like everyone else did.

Jakarta Expat · 09-19-2006, 01:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mcbear

I think Michael has at least two or three more years of top tier driving in him and agree that watching him and Kimi in equal Ferrari's would have been very good.

Yes that would have been the ultimate but I have discussed it with my German friends and we all agree Michael's ego would never consider his co driver (whoever it was or is) as an equal. Unfortunate but true.

Astin · 09-19-2006, 07:25 AM

Michael used to drive for a home team didn't he? Didn't Michael race Mercedes sports cars before joining F1?

I agree - Alonso needs to prove his skill. How absurd his comments are will come back to haunt him if he is not careful - surely he doesn't really think the FIA planned his engine failure as a part of getting Michael up for the championship.

I'm not too disappointed about Michael and Kimi not racing together. Remember that Kimi has time on his side. I prefer to see the champion leave as King rather than a man defeated by youth.

**mcbear** · 09-19-2006, 07:43 AM

I think Michael used to drive Mercedes before F1.

I still think that enough money will change hands that Alonso will stay at Renault. With his manager as the team owner of Renault and him not happy with the decision to leave now, it is possible that a big pile of euros will keep Alonso at Renault and that opens up all sorts of possibilities.

If I were a betting man, wait, I live near the Kentucky Derby, I AM a betting man, gotta go...