Schumacher to return to F1

[Bort]

http://www.anf1blog.com/?p=1766

This will bring back the viewing figures at least.

[razta]

leaves me in a dilemma - i'm a schumi fan.. and a ferrari fan.. so what do i wear when i go to the season opener in Bahrain?

[CarlosFerreira]

I suppose it explains why it's taking so long to sign up Mercedes' second driver. However, I'm gonna pull a Captain Hammer here and wait until the official announcement. It sounds so weird, so far-fetched, that I'd be more willing to believe they're signing Markus Winkelhok.

It's be a nice Christmas present, though...

[TomWazzleshaw]

Godwin's law beckons...

In all seriousness though I don't really mind Schumacher coming back (Althought it just might destory Rosberg's career) but hes got absolutely nothing to prove should he return. We already know he's one of the greatest if not the greatest ever and he's got more money than Switzerland.

I'm gonna wait for the offical announcement too

[Phoenix]

HUGE mistake if he does...It will be like Mansell signing for McLaren in 1995: we will see a past-his-prime man, having proved everything, who will race some rounds and then quit citing "he's bored","he doesn't enjoy it as much as before","he's not fit","he's tired of driving in circles"...and blotting his reputation.

[Waris]

Am I the only one who DOESN'T want Schumacher to return?
He will beat Barrichello.
It'll also be unfair to Heidfeld, who has earned the seat, and also to a lesser extent to Rosberg.
But the most obvious argument, of course, is that this man has won seven World Championships, a bathplugload of wins, podiums, poles and points, isn't it enough?!

[Paul Hayes]

It's hard to see a reason why he needs to do this, other than he simply misses the thrill of racing in F1. As others have said, there's very little he can gain from it, although on the other hand he doesn't exactly have a stellar reputation in many ways, so his legacy wouldn't be tainted by the failure as much as some might have. It would be very interesting to see and if it does happen I'd probably get increasingly excited about it as the first race neared, but I think on the whole I'd rather he stayed retired.

[Henrique]

Am I the only one who DOESN'T want Schumacher to return?

Nope. I'm with you.

HUGE mistake if he does...It will be like Mansell signing for McLaren in 1995: we will see a past-his-prime man, having proved everything, who will race some rounds and then quit citing "he's bored","he doesn't enjoy it as much as before","he's not fit","he's tired of driving in circles"...and blotting his reputation.

I couldn't agree more. The fact that he'll be driving against Ferrari will also cause a few wars. Remember Ferrari's comments about Brawn this year?

[Collieafc]

I would like him to return purely as I will be able to actually see him race this year if he does (I only went to one GP, but that was in 2007...) But the arguements of him risking his image (if that is the right word) are justified. Unless he actually won the title, he would lose a lot more than he would gain.

And I will also be doing a Captain Hammer on this one.

[DemocalypseNow]

I want to see Schumacher return, just to see Vettel give him an utter arse-kicking and show up the old sod

[dr-baker]

I want to see Schumacher return, just to see Vettel give him an utter arse-kicking and show up the old sod

Agreed.

[Klon]

He will beat Barrichello.

Would be too funny though if the Cosworth turns out to be that BMF that some people assume/hope it to be and Rubens showing Michael the door.
But while I think you're a bit to rough on him, I'll do a Captain Hammer here as well...

[Enforcer]

Think I'll add to the Captain Hammer impersonations.

If he comes back he has to be amazing though.

[Ferrim]

Schumacher will be the 2010 Reject Of The Year if this move is completed.

You read it here first.

[LionZoo]

I wouldn't mind seeing Schumi win an 8th and retire. If he does it and gives Luca the one finger salute at the same time he'll be legendary.

Still, my brain says this just isn't a good idea.

[DemocalypseNow]

TBH these reports look like a load of bullcrap.
Where's the source, huh?
Yeah, I didn't think so.
When you've got some solid evidence, give me a call.

[Cynon]

I want to see Schumi get his ass thoroughly handed to him, because I would love to see his reputation tainted a bit more. Admittedly I wanted him to beat Fernando Alonso in 2006 despite me hating him religiously but this return screams of Alan Jones and Nigel Mansell. If you're going to take the keys, Schumi, please race in another category. Maybe try the IRL or something... or maybe take Ray Evernham's offer from way back and run a NASCAR road course. Or bugger that, run the Bathurst 1000!

[Bort]

Another source: http://www.formula1blog.com/2009/12/12/schumacher-agrees-to-one-year-mercedes-deal/

Just type Schumacher into google and hit the news button. It is not just a tiny little made-up conspiracy theory though.

[Popi_Larrauri]

I suppose it explains why it's taking so long to sign up Mercedes' second driver. However, I'm gonna pull a Captain Hammer here and wait until the official announcement. It sounds so weird, so far-fetched, that I'd be more willing to believe they're signing Markus Winkelhok.

It's be a nice Christmas present, though...

+1

[noisebox]

TBH these reports look like a load of bullcrap.
Where's the source, huh?
Yeah, I didn't think so.
When you've got some solid evidence, give me a call.

There's enough around to suggest this is happening - especially the fact they haven't signed Heidfeld or moved for Kubica. This could be really bad news for Rosberg - it's the kind of team mate that kill his career. I'm really looking forward to this happening, I was always hoping that Senna would end his career with Ferrari which obviously never happened - Schumacher going back to his routes at Mercedes is just as exciting. I think the new rules will suit his racecraft will be a real advantage.

Hamilton vs Schumacher side by side going into Eau Rouge - who will blink first?

[Captain Hammer]

Hamilton vs Schumacher side by side going into Eau Rouge - who will blink first?

When was the last time anyone went side-by-side into Eau Rouge?

[TomWazzleshaw]

Hamilton vs Schumacher side by side going into Eau Rouge - who will blink first?

When was the last time anyone went side-by-side into Eau Rouge?

I think it was one of the Saubers and Montoya back in 04

[noisebox]

Hamilton vs Schumacher side by side going into Eau Rouge - who will blink first?

When was the last time anyone went side-by-side into Eau Rouge?

Hamilton and Alonso did in 2007 - Hamilton ended up lifting. You don't go through eau roue side by side!

[RejectSteve]

Hamilton and Alonso did in 2007 - Hamilton ended up lifting. You don't go through eau roue side by side!

If you're driving an Andrea Moda, you don't go through there on your own!

[dr-baker]

Hamilton and Alonso did in 2007 - Hamilton ended up lifting. You don't go through eau roue side by side!

If you're driving an Andrea Moda, you don't go through there on your own!

If you're Perry McCarthy driving an Andrea Moda, you ought not to drive through there at all....

[shinji]

Hamilton and Alonso did in 2007 - Hamilton ended up lifting. You don't go through eau roue side by side!

If you're driving an Andrea Moda, you don't go through there on your own!

If you're Perry McCarthy driving an Andrea Moda, you ought not to drive through there at all....

Good that he only did once then.

[fondmetal-fond]

http://www.anf1blog.com/?p=1766

This will bring back the viewing figures at least.

This is actually the first silly season that I've been following online, due to reduced work pressure. I was wondering if someone with more experience of silly seasons can say: is this sort of thing common ?

[Enforcer]

Disclaimer: The following post makes the assumption that Bild article is basically accurate and Schumacher is actually considering a return and this isn't just smoke and mirrors.

I was just thinking to myself, whilst he could end up disappointing, isn't the fact that a man of 40, with absolutely nothing left to prove, and only detractors waiting in the wings baying for a failure, wants to return to Formula One, to a competitive grid too, for the pure love of the sport fundamentally non-rejectworthy? I doubt Schumacher will starve for the want of a few million SwissFrancs from Mercedes, he doesn't need to come back, yet he wants to. The same attitude made people like Moreno admirable, should apply to Schumacher too.

It's a much better attitude than Raikkonen's if you ask me. Schumacher coming back and failing would be disappointing (although I doubt he will fail), but I think he should be applauded for it regardless.

[Cynon]

I doubt Schumacher will starve for the want of a few million SwissFrancs from Mercedes, he doesn't need to come back, yet he wants to. The same attitude made people like Moreno admirable, should apply to Schumacher too.

It's a much better attitude than Raikkonen's if you ask me. Schumacher coming back and failing would be disappointing (although I doubt he will fail), but I think he should be applauded for it regardless.

Very good point. Did not think of it that way, but I think it should also be pointed out that Schumacher's attitude seems to be exceptionally rare in Formula 1. The only driver I can think of that wanted to be back in F1 after being out for awhile is Nigel Mansell, but the difference is that Mansell's motivations were because he wasn't winning anymore... I almost wonder if this is something similar from Schumacher, perhaps he can't stay out of the limelight long enough? But then again, Schumi's been racing in all sorts of exhibition races.

In NASCAR and V8 Supercars it's much more common for a driver to be away for awhile and then decide to come back, even if they won't do much good (Bill Elliott comes to mind... I'd say Jim Richards but I'm not knowledgeable enough on V8 Supercars and the history of the ATCC to know his history, but he seemed like it to me at least).

Even in Indycars and CART this attitude was prevalent, with drivers like Danny Ongais, Gordon Johncock, Johnny Rutherford, and Tom Sneva all continuing to race (albeit at Indy alone) just because they wanted to, and all of them usually in the back. Even A.J. Foyt, who declared his retirement from running the Indy 500, came to qualify for the first ever NASCAR race at the Brickyard, and gave the excuse: "I didn't say I retired from NASCAR."

Emerson Fittipaldi also "retired" from racing after his F1 career went to pot and then a few years later came to CART and became a star there as well...

[Yannick]

The 7 time WDC may be past his career peak, but he should still be very competent as a development driver. I mean, just look at how long a guy such as Jacky Ickx did drive in F1 machinery. If he were indeed to make a comeback to join Mercedes, he would indeed be entering Fangio territory. It's his decision of course, but I can understand that Mercedes want to talk him into it. After all, it was them who brought him to F1 in the 1st place.

[DonTirri]

After all, it was them who brought him to F1 in the 1st place.

Actually no, it was Gachot being a drunken idiot that brought Schumi to F1 in the first place.

Unless I'm missing some connection between Jordan-Ford and Mercedes...

[Nuppiz]

After all, it was them who brought him to F1 in the 1st place.

Actually no, it was Gachot being a drunken idiot that brought Schumi to F1 in the first place.

Unless I'm missing some connection between Jordan-Ford and Mercedes...

Mercedes gave money to Jordan (a very marginal sum by today's standards, $150,000!) to get Schumi in the car.

[thehemogoblin]

Feck.

[tristan1117]

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/80575

[Phoenix]

Schumacher-"Gimme a pen and I'll move F1 world

[Collieafc]

Why am I getting that Bernie will as ever have a hand in all this and is deliberately trying to lengthen it? Seeing as it makes sure F1 is talked about, over the end season...

[Waris]

Why am I getting that Bernie will as ever have a hand in all this and is deliberately trying to lengthen it? Seeing as it makes sure F1 is talked about, over the end season...

Bingo! Somebody give that man a beer.