Michael Schumacher signs up for F1 return with Mercedes

This should be interesting.

 

Yep, there's no official announcement from anyone yet but at least a few dozen similar articles out there claiming the deal is done...I'm actually starting to believe it's true. I didn't think he would really do it, wouldn't risk embarrassing himself, but if things don't go well he always has the old "I guess my neck wasn't completely healed after all..." excuse.

 

I think this is a really bad idea, and bad for the sport. 2010 was going to be a really interesting year -- with lots of good drivers and some new teams -- and now comes to spoil it because all attention will be on him. I really feel sorry for Nico. His career just got the royal shaft.

 

I don't see where Nico got the shaft, driving with Schumacher seems to be good for a driver, it did wonder's for Masa.

So we have:

Schumacher
vs
Alonso
vs
Hamilton
vs
Button
vs
Masa
vs
Vettle

4 champions and 2 close 2nds in competitive cars. This is going to be a good year.

 

I don't think so. The team will put emphasis on Schumi, and Nico will play a secondary role. In the case of Massa, Schumi specifically took him under his wing, and the benefit to Massa's career came after Schumi left Ferrari. Nico's career now depends on him being able to drive better than Schumi (I hope he does). If he doesn't he'll never bee seen as a first rate driver. Partnering Schumi ruined Barichello's career.

 

Ecclestone agrees new F1 TV deal with SPEED

I didn't know the contract was up but Yay!

 

It's official. I hope, for his sake, in 3 years "Pulling a Schumacher" will be a good thing.

 

Don't you think Schumi will take Nico under his wing, too? He has nothing to fear from him, after all, just as he had nothing to fear by mentoring Massa. In a few years, Michael will retire again, and Nico will be the better for the coaching.

As for Barichello, Barichello ruined Barichello's career. Not until he drove a (temporarily) superior car did he do anything.

I agree with Btwyx. This has the potential for being an all-time spectacular year, with something (and someone) for everyone!

 

That means Nico's career is on hold for the next three years, whether Schumi coaches him or not.

I am just not among those excited by Schumi's return. I thought we had a great season lined up and now Schumi's return will overshadow everything else.

 

Only if he chooses to put it on hold. Massa didn't.

Actually, at 24 he's a little young to worry about it, anyway, and could use the seasoning. And his father, who won the title in '82, probably should/could/would have coached him long before this. He still only won roughly 1/3 the points that Button won, albeit more than Alonso.

 

I don't think Nico got the shaft but I think Nico thinks he got the shaft. I think he probably figured he could outshine whoever they hired to drive the other car and he'd be the star...and that's looking like not the case now. He keeps pushing the teammates and partners lines when he's interviewed and made a point of saying he'd not be the number 2 driver. Definitely sounds like he feels like his limelight is slipping away.

Even if the team focus development efforts, etc, around every word Schumacher says, Rosberg still benefits because the car will likely improve and he'll get to drive a better car than he would have. He needs to learn to work the situation to his advantage before he alienates himself by overdoing the insistence on "two number 1s" and so on. Schumacher is already a part of his reality and he needs to make the best of it...again, to his advantage.

 

Absolutely!

We don't need another Alonso/Hamilton rivalry. That was totally unproductive for the drivers, the McLaren team, and the sport.

 

As to the question of whether Schumacher coming back is a good or bad thing...dunno...I have opinions though!

I absolutely agree the season was shaping up to be a really good one without him. On the other hand, I can't figure out why it will be less so with him. He may or may not win the championship (I'm guessing not) but I really don't give a flying fart who wins that as long as there's good racing to watch, and I don't imagine having him in the mix will detract from that at all.

To tell the truth, I'm actually more interested in seeing all the new teams -- hopefully ALL of them -- on the grid and how that all works out than I am in whether Schumi wins or overshadows Rosberg, or for that matter Button, Hamilton, Vettel, or any of the others. Schumacher coming back is, to me, more important to 1) the media who, despite the glowing reports of late are surely salivating for another chance to gear up the hater reporting, 2) Bernie who is no doubt salivating at the opportunity to raise commissions and other costs because of increased interest, and 3) Merc who are hoping it will help them make a real splash in their first year back...plus attract more sponsor money for them.

The season will still be good or bad regardless of his return...but there will probably be more press and a bit more ticket sales. If the Merc is good and he still has the chops, we may have another contender spicing things up at every race...and in my book more action and more competition is a good thing...just hope his ruthless streak is fading with age...

 

My bet is that he will win at least one championship in the 3 years he committed to (assuming he races all 3 years). While we're waiting for the season to start, here's a taste of coming battles:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NqHLOdPlW6Y

 

http://formula-one.speedtv.com/artic...ilent-no-more/

 

Yes they have broken their silence and it's about time!

For those of you who are interested here's the link to USF1s website...

 

While I'm sitting here musing about USF1 I cannot help but wonder who they will bring aboard for the driving duties?

So tell me fellow F1 fans... Who would you love to see carry the Stars & Stripes into the F1 wars?

Love to hear your suggestions...

 

My wish list would be M Andretti & G Rahal.....not because they've actually acomplished much but because they have big time American Road racing lineage in thier last names. If we're doing it relatively "All American" then who better??

But now that I'm back down to earth I'll pick any veteran of F1 that's respectable & available, and J Summerton as number 2 driver.

So ok....start throwing darts at my picks.

 

Ummmm, only because he wasn't allowed to do anything when he drove for Ferrari. The only time Ferrari wanted Barrichello to win was when MS either crashed, had a mechanical or was at the back for some reason. It's been well documented.

As for Schumi's teammates, how many of them have won WDCs? Zero, and he's had quite a few teammates. Ok, I take that back. I believe he partnered Nelson Piquet Sr. for the last 5 rounds, in his first year in F1 in. But that was Piquet's last year and he didn't do much.

Nico is screwed. He'll probably get a couple of wins, but he won't do much because the specticled walrus won't let him. It's a lose lose situation. If he defies the orders so he can win, he's fired and labeled as someone who isn't a team player. If he submits, he's someone who just isn't good enough. Let the boys race!

Ok, bit of a rant. You caught me right before lunch and I'm starving.

 

Pretty much exactly how I see it. I'll bet if Nico has seen it coming he would have thought twice about signing with Merc.

 

Yeah, Nico is toast ala Ruben's and Felippi. He'll only get the occasional spot light. You'll know he can do it but he won't be allowed to unless he is for some reason up to speed faster than MS. Then I see MS morphing into a supporting role if that happens, but it won't. I think MS will have his skills on display right from the get go...

 

If you guys aren't happy about Michael coming back, how would you have felt about baby brother Ralf?

http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/281220...-comeback.html

 

That's comparing apples and oranges. Ralf returning wouldn't have much impact one way or the other. He's just an OK driver. He did well enough at Williams.BMW, but really fizzled with Toyota. He would probably be a decent choice for a new team, due to experience, but apparently isn't interested in a rookie team.

 

It won't happen. He's been floundering in DTM. God I hope it doesn't happen.

 

I know not everyone likes him, but Scott Speed has raced the tracks. I think pair him up with Graham Rahal.