Goodness, really? I mean, it's not like he's got 7 WDCs to his name, helping him beat all the young, talented people coming from GP2. He's right when he says his reputation was torn in tatters during his spell at Toybota, so I suppose he's only slightly more likely to get a drive than Piquet Jr.
It's too bad that Ralf's driving seemingly hasn't been the same since his Indianapolis crash in the Williams a few years back. I guess he could still be great in endurance races such as Le Mans. He really should try that kind of racing.
"I don't think we should be used to finance (the manufacturers') R&D because they will produce that engine anyway" said Monisha Kaltenborn. "You will never see a Mercedes using a Ferrari engine or the other way round."
The only way Ralf will get back into F1 as a driver is by buying another team. Perhaps he could buy USF1 and Stefan GP, use the latter as the team name and put himself alongside, say, Yuji Ide?
Knowing Ralf, Ide would outpace him and be far more beloved by the crowds. At least F1 Rejects people would adore Ide, whereas Ralf Schumacher ... well, it became cool to make fun of him once he got the Toyota drive...
From a non-Ralf hater, I think he'll go to Sauber or Campos, to bring in some experience if he does go anywhere. That's still unlikely. And even if he does come back, does he really think he can be competitive?
CoopsII wrote:On occasion I have ventured into the PMM forum but beat a hasty retreat soon after as it resembles some sort of bad acid trip in there
tristan1117 wrote:From a non-Ralf hater, I think he'll go to Sauber or Campos, to bring in some experience if he does go anywhere. That's still unlikely. And even if he does come back, does he really think he can be competitive?
Campos, more likely. Just to say they have the names Senna and Schumacher on their line-up
I read yesterday that he was contacted by a new team and that he said "No, actually I'm only interested in something with a high profile". Source is Argentinean media. is it right? Why on earth a top team would call him?
Winners have lots of friends, losers have good friends.
As much as we deride him for his Toyota days, and there is substance to that period being a low (despite a good start with podiums etc.) after his big Indy crashes, which I think took a lot out of Ralf's and even Michael's stamina and motivation (I thought it was both brave and crazy for Michael to keep racing at indy 2004 when his brother was in that state)...
Ralf hasn't been the same driver since (yes he wasn't as good as Michael EVER, but he was a quick driver right from the off in 97 up until 2003-2004 time...), but he is a useful commodity in this new era of F1 with new teams etc, as a baseline for development and experience, to combine with a younger driver who may well be quicker, but only with the help of the old hand... That is why Jacques, Alex Wurz, Pedro De La Rosa and even Schumi have all come out of the shadows, and if you think a 6-time grand prix winner is any worse than DLR and Wurz I think you'd be mistaken....
danardif1 wrote:As much as we deride him for his Toyota days, and there is substance to that period being a low (despite a good start with podiums etc.) after his big Indy crashes, which I think took a lot out of Ralf's and even Michael's stamina and motivation (I thought it was both brave and crazy for Michael to keep racing at indy 2004 when his brother was in that state)...
Ralf hasn't been the same driver since (yes he wasn't as good as Michael EVER, but he was a quick driver right from the off in 97 up until 2003-2004 time...), but he is a useful commodity in this new era of F1 with new teams etc, as a baseline for development and experience, to combine with a younger driver who may well be quicker, but only with the help of the old hand... That is why Jacques, Alex Wurz, Pedro De La Rosa and even Schumi have all come out of the shadows, and if you think a 6-time grand prix winner is any worse than DLR and Wurz I think you'd be mistaken....
Just if he has enough motivation and still has some pace to deliver...
I have been surprised to be honest that nobody has talked about Ralf in the driver market for 2010, except for Eddie Jordan who said he would employ him for 2010 if he was still a team boss. The problem with Ralf was always motivation. You could tell for almost half of the races in a season he was not interested and was way off the pace, such as in his two final seasons with Toyota. However when he was interested and motivated he was closer to Michael's talent such as at the European and French grand prix in 2003, which will probably go down as his best performances. I seem to remember he did ok in the few remaining races in 2004 after his return from the accident in the USA, and in 2005 so it could be fair to say he was mostly back up to speed after the accident. Ralf should not be so fussy about which team he drives for though if he is serious about returning to F1.
"Lap 20 and I do hope for the sake of the gallant hard trying Simtek team that their car with Jos Verstappen keeps running, his team mate Schiattarella is also still running in 13th place but Jos Verstappen from Holland..is in sixth position!"
Joe Saward of joesaward.wordpress.com wrote yesterday that it was USF1 who talked to Ralf, but Ralf declined the offer. So he is the internationally race winning driver they have had on their shopping list. They didn't get him so that opens up one of the cars for Lopez, whilst the other should be piloted by US F1 Idol *play the theme song again Sam*
But the progress that Stefan GP have been making in recent weeks really makes me want to see them on the grid instead of USF1.
"I don't think we should be used to finance (the manufacturers') R&D because they will produce that engine anyway" said Monisha Kaltenborn. "You will never see a Mercedes using a Ferrari engine or the other way round."
pher38 wrote:I have been surprised to be honest that nobody has talked about Ralf in the driver market for 2010, except for Eddie Jordan who said he would employ him for 2010 if he was still a team boss.
Every team needs a chef, a cleaner, etc...
As i looked at my naked body in the mirror, i thought to myself, "I'm going to get thrown out of Ikea any minute.".
pher38 wrote:I have been surprised to be honest that nobody has talked about Ralf in the driver market for 2010, except for Eddie Jordan who said he would employ him for 2010 if he was still a team boss.
Every team needs a chef, a cleaner, etc...
... a shoe-maker...
watka wrote:I find it amusing that whilst you're one of the more openly Christian guys here, you are still first and foremost associated with an eye for the ladies!
dinizintheoven wrote:GOOD CHRISTIANS do not go to jail. EVERYONE ON FORMULA ONE REJECTS should be in jail.
pher38 wrote:I have been surprised to be honest that nobody has talked about Ralf in the driver market for 2010, except for Eddie Jordan who said he would employ him for 2010 if he was still a team boss.
thehemogoblin wrote:Uh, Phoenix, every European thinks I'm an illiterate Texan, because of George W. Bush.
More reasons why Texas should have remained a soverign nation.
May as well be, it's 4 times the size of Great Britain.
The only thing that stops me from agreeing that Canada>USA, is that there's an annoying part of Canada that insists on being French.
That and the fact that I've visited neither country and am therefore not qualified to have any opinion. Although I can comment that the Germans are an extremely pleasant peoples.
thehemogoblin wrote:Uh, Phoenix, every European thinks I'm an illiterate Texan, because of George W. Bush.
I must confess that during the age of rampant anti-Americanism in Europe, I would mock anyone with a Southern accent. Then, the Kings of Leon brought deep Tennessee to the spotlight, and now I only mock American cars.
CarlosFerreira wrote:...now I only mock American cars.
Mock the Pontiac GTO* and I'll send an army of kangaroos to hunt you down
*According to many Americans it's an American car. Actually it's a rebadged Holden Monaro which is essentially a coupe varient of the Holden Commadore, which are both Australian made cars
Biscione wrote:"Some Turkemenistani gulag repurposed for residential use" is the best way yet I've heard to describe North / East Glasgow.
CarlosFerreira wrote:...now I only mock American cars.
Mock the Pontiac GTO* and I'll send an army of kangaroos to hunt you down
*According to many Americans it's an American car. Actually it's a rebadged Holden Monaro which is essentially a coupe varient of the Holden Commadore, which are both Australian made cars
Big respect for Holdens: look like taxies, go like stink, rule Mount Panorama. Why did the Yankies give it an awful body?!