German newspaper Bild is reporting that a one year deal for Michael Schumacher to drive for Mercedes will be announced next week.

This I would like to see (although I hope he is blown to the weeds).

Seano

bloody politics, with jenson getting the arse end of it all, poor sod's now gotta race with the pillock.

Not sure I follow your logic there fella. To my mind Jensen seems to have chosen to jump ship before the possibility of MS re-appearing.

Have to say I've always thought Ferrari rather clumsy in backing the Red Barron into a corner and forcing him to retire prematurely, when in reality neither side wanted it to happen.

I do think Jensen will struggle at McLaren, but I'm pretty sure Ross didn't want him to go, hence not releasing him early from his contract.

Seano

As far as i understood it, Mercedes bought out Brawn and wanted german drivers for obvious reasons. Jenson, somewhat stupidly i'll admit, demanded a wage as benefiting the current world champion which Mercedes managment, as mentioned, were disinclined to meet.

Being as Jenson is getting on in years and probably wont be able to hold onto the title, he went to the english team that could meet his demands, because they could see the PR goldmine that he (and Hamilton) could offer. Thus he makes a shed load of money before retiring after another 2 seasons???

The MS effect, to my mind, is well and truly over. My conspiracy theory over his bike crash story, is not an injured neck but a desire not to embaress himself after being out of the game for such a long period, i think he drove the ferrari for a few laps, realised just how massively far he was off the pace and decided to let the legend be remembered as it is. I am pretty sure we wont see a return to racing for MS, and if we do a lot of people are gonna be in for a disappointing result.

And no two ways about it Jenson will be the unofficial no.2 driver at Mclaren.


phew.

Now this would be a laugh. It would be worth it just to see him treading on his old man.

I think you are certainly right about Jensen wanting the money and he will probably end up second fiddle in McLaren. The rest can only be speculation on both our parts really.

Jensen has said on record that Brawn's offer was higher than McLarens. But I suspect he had talked himself into a corner and pride obliged him to jump.

Dangerous game for McLaren employing two F1 champions it - it didn't really work well for them in the past with Senna and Prost and there's a fair amount of similarity here.

As for the Red Barron - well if he does, I'd be surprised if he enjoys it that much - he has nothing to prove and everything to loose. I don't like his attitude, its not even original. I tend to agree with the F1 and former F1 drivers recent poll that Senna was the best and when that couldn't work, master of win at all costs.

Seano

I read in German newspapers, that Mercedes virtually forced Button out with a deal with McLaren.
McLaren let Mercedes buy Brawn, as long as Mercedes paid Buttons contract.So McLaren have got Button for free and Mercedes are able to have an all German driver line up.
As always with F1,it's down to money and internal politics.
If Mercedes announce another driver that is not German,then it would be a bit of a kick in the teeth for Jenson

Me being a mahoosive fan of MS, I would love it if he came back, i dont think hes got anything to lose, as he is 7 time world champion, you cant prove more than that. Also it would be good see him back, good for F1 and hopefully he will show a thing or two to the youngúns in F1. Jenson, went for more money and good luck to him, however i think that Hamilton will kick his arse! BRING BACK THE RED BARON!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

And your image will be shattered if Hamilton whups Schumacher - that's what he has to loose. Lewis was very disappointed not to go toe to toe with Michael - he will relish this opportunity.

Brawn did very well to capitalise on the skill of Honda this year. It will be a huge challenge to repeat the trick even if your driver is the Red Barron.

Makes for exciting times though.

Seano

And your image will be shattered if Hamilton whups Schumacher - that's what he has to loose. Lewis was very disappointed not to go toe to toe with Michael - he will relish this opportunity.

Brawn did very well to capitalise on the skill of Honda this year. It will be a huge challenge to repeat the trick even if your driver is the Red Barron.

Makes for exciting times though.

Seano

On the up side, Schui and Hamilton battles will be immense, hence good viewing! It will be huge trick, but then Ross Brawn et al did deliver MS 7 titles and catipulted Ferrari back into the limelight! So if history does repeat itself, its gonna be epic! With RB and Merc its going to be a formidable force, and lets not forget it was the 3 pointed star that put MS where he is today:ar:

I can't wait to see Schu back behind the wheel again. Some think he is the greatest some commentator’s like Brundle have their own agenda he hates Schu and hypes who he wants to....But then again Brundle was always a better commentator than driver and after the thrashing Schu gave Brundle. Lets face it Schu won nearly as many WDC as Brundle got podiums.

For anyone that thinks he is over the hill I doubt anyone on here would even come close to the fitness level of Schu. I don’t think Schu will be suffering as fatty Mansell did and will fit in the car fine.

What can Schu lose? Ok he may not win a WDC or races but how many people are saying he will? If he does win races how humiliating would it be for the youngsters to get beaten by the old man? Nothing would make me happier than seeing Schu blow Alonso and Hamilton into the weeds.

Some people still harp on about a few incidents in is his career. But lets not forget Hamilton / Renault / McLaren have all been up to no good since Schu left and far worse.

F1 rarely is predictable no one thought Button would be champ in 2009 and Brawn would clean up, or Kimi would be awful, Toyota would pull the plug etc.....But 2 German drivers in a ex Japanese now British/German/middle eastern team, racing a British/German/Middle East Team with 2 British Drivers sounds fun

I can't wait to see Schu back behind the wheel again. Some think he is the greatest some commentator’s like Brundle have their own agenda he hates Schu and hypes who he wants to....But then again Brundle was always a better commentator than driver and after the thrashing Schu gave Brundle. Lets face it Schu won nearly as many WDC as Brundle got podiums.

For anyone that thinks he is over the hill I doubt anyone on here would even come close to the fitness level of Schu. I don’t think Schu will be suffering as fatty Mansell did and will fit in the car fine.

What can Schu lose? Ok he may not win a WDC or races but how many people are saying he will? If he does win races how humiliating would it be for the youngsters to get beaten by the old man? Nothing would make me happier than seeing Schu blow Alonso and Hamilton into the weeds.

Some people still harp on about a few incidents in is his career. But lets not forget Hamilton / Renault / McLaren have all been up to no good since Schu left and far worse.

F1 rarely is predictable no one thought Button would be champ in 2009 and Brawn would clean up, or Kimi would be awful, Toyota would pull the plug etc.....But 2 German drivers in a ex Japanese now British/German/middle eastern team, racing a British/German/Middle East Team with 2 British Drivers sounds fun






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ive got a bet running that he will finish in the top 3 at the end of the season

everyone seems to be saying that he has nothing to gain but so much to lose. i'm not sure i agree- everyone's already accepted that he may be past it and won't be harshly judging him against his former self so i don't think he's got anything to lose- and schumacher driving without any pressure & just for the love of it is something i can't wait to see. And just think if he does actually come out and teach the young'uns a lesson......

Rubens Barrichello was still cutting it at a slightly younger age - but he had the advantage of cockpit consistency.

MS has both a big hill to climb to get back up to race pace and the most to lose, as there is nothing worse than a failed comeback kid. Nobody drives in F1 just for the fun.

Don't think he would be so stupid to come back & not be cpmpetitive!!

Don't think he would be so stupid to come back & not be cpmpetitive!!

That is the big question though, will he be competitive?

I was responding to the previous comment about driving for the love of it + no pressure.

Testing will show the pace, but racing is a different game and the answer that will only be on the grid.

That is the big question though, will he be competitive?

I was responding to the previous comment about driving for the love of it + no pressure.

Testing will show the pace, but racing is a different game and the answer that will only be on the grid.

and that's where we disagree (and it should be said i'm not a schumacher fan). If somebody had been a good driver and come back then he might have something to lose, but schmacher was such an undoubtedly excellent driver that i think that position is cemented. I know a few races years after he's retired wouldn't change my opinion of him and i don't know why it would for anyone; the worst that will be said is 'he's old and past it but in his day he was great'. so i guess we're not gonna agree, but to keep the schui theme: jedem das seine.

and that's where we disagree (and it should be said i'm not a schumacher fan). If somebody had been a good driver and come back then he might have something to lose, but schmacher was such an undoubtedly excellent driver that i think that position is cemented. I know a few races years after he's retired wouldn't change my opinion of him and i don't know why it would for anyone; the worst that will be said is 'he's old and past it but in his day he was great'. so i guess we're not gonna agree, but to keep the schui theme: jedem das seine.

Dead right, no one will be able to agree as everyone will have their own perspective.

What I will find interesting though is MS's own words on progress during the season. His own reaction to it all will be telling.

that i totally agree on! i don't doubt his competitive will is still there so it'll be hard for him to accept losing.