Grand Prix Rejects

http://f1.gpupdate.net/en/formula-1-news/225458/ralf-schumacher-eyes-formula-1-comeback/

He's not kidding!

I 'spose if Jacques Villeneuve is still looking for a comeback, then Ralf isn't too outlandish...

But still - hilarious. What team would want him in a million years?

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.

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...

oh well there was some inevatiblity that this would happen.... sauber perhaps?

USF1 could do worse...

He won't make it. He's cool in his Trilux Merc, so why return?

I bathplugging hate this guy. He was boring and he's lost his edge. Why?

Phoenix wrote:He won't make it. He's cool in his Trilux Merc, so why return?

I bathplugging hate this guy. He was boring and he's lost his edge. Why?

To lose something u need it in the first place.....

WeirdKerr wrote:

Phoenix wrote:He won't make it. He's cool in his Trilux Merc, so why return?

I bathplugging hate this guy. He was boring and he's lost his edge. Why?

To lose something u need it in the first place.....

If you're referring to his Williams drives...well, I don't discuss it. But he wouldn't be anywhere near competitive enough should he return.

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?

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?

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.

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.

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...

madcat wrote:

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...

dr-baker wrote:

madcat wrote:

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...

A shoe trader

thehemogoblin wrote:A shoe trader

Big ROFLs

Hemogoblin, I think the title of the album on which the tracks in your avatar are featured adequately sum up the current state of Ralf's career.

watka wrote:

thehemogoblin wrote:A shoe trader

Big ROFLs

Hemogoblin, I think the title of the album on which the tracks in your avatar are featured adequately sum up the current state of Ralf's career.

'goblin's going Canadian. In a good sense.

I don't think it's possible to go Canadian in a bad way.

shinji wrote:I don't think it's possible to go Canadian in a bad way.

Tried that line on an American fellow once. Didn't go down to well at the time, hence the extra bit.

CarlosFerreira wrote:

shinji wrote:I don't think it's possible to go Canadian in a bad way.

Tried that line on an American fellow once. Didn't go down to well at the time, hence the extra bit.

I doubt the 'goblin would mind about being called Canadian. *Goes in to bomb shelter* Canada is better than the US anyway.

shinji wrote:Canada is better than the US anyway.

Without question, the traffic system certainly is better.

Canada: America's hat.


Funeral: Best. Album. Ever.

shinji wrote:

CarlosFerreira wrote:

shinji wrote:I don't think it's possible to go Canadian in a bad way.

Tried that line on an American fellow once. Didn't go down to well at the time, hence the extra bit.

I doubt the 'goblin would mind about being called Canadian. *Goes in to bomb shelter* Canada is better than the US anyway.

Wait...you're being serious, eh?

And actually, to be honest, I am slightly irked at being called a Canadian.

Just because the American government is incompetent doesn't mean that it should reflect on me.

thehemogoblin wrote:
Just because the American government is incompetent doesn't mean that it should reflect on me.

[Insert lame/dumb voicetone here]"Spanish government is worst!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!".

Uh, Phoenix, every European thinks I'm an illiterate Texan, because of George W. Bush.

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.

RejectSteve wrote:

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.

watka wrote: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.

Ah, the Quebequeers. I mean Quebecois...

thehemogoblin wrote:

watka wrote: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.

Ah, the Quebequeers. I mean Quebecois...

Aw, jeez, don't get me started on those guys.

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

Wizzie wrote:

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?!