So what does a former F1 pilot do during retirement? Keep on truck-- err, driving.
According to an article in Sporting Life, Ferrari's engineers are concerned about Kimi Raikkonen's capacity to develop and test their vehicle at the same level Schumacher did during his tenure with the team. Raikkonen will be taking over driving duties for Michael Schumacher, who announced his retirement last week. Although Schumacher has confirmed that he'll be staying with the team for an undisclosed period of time, it was not assumed that the former world champion would fill the test driver position.
Ferrari's chief race engineer, Luca Baldisserri put it best, saying, "After all, driving is the thing [Schumacher] loves most."
[Source: Sporting Life]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Steve S @ Sep 15th 2006 2:47PM
I vote for him to replace the Stig on TopGear!
doug @ Sep 15th 2006 3:22PM
I vote the stig to replace Shumi on Ferrari...
Jimbo @ Sep 15th 2006 3:31PM
They have to retain him in some capacity. It would be a disaster to have him test driving for another team. Greatest.....driver.....evar!
mike hertzfeld @ Sep 15th 2006 3:35PM
If the rumors are true that Ferrari forced Shumi out of driving, how about he sign on with a German marque, BMW or Mercedes, and see what happens. His countrymen would love it and it would be fun to watch next year.
TheF1Maestro @ Sep 15th 2006 3:39PM
I hope he takes Fernando's place at Renault to shove it up Montzemolo's ass.
Michael Schumacher @ Sep 15th 2006 3:48PM
I am the stig.
taipeileviathan @ Sep 15th 2006 4:35PM
i can't believe noone's commented yet on the ridiculous picture with him straddling the front tire. looks like the car's giving him the shocker or something.
rwdmtparkingonly @ Sep 15th 2006 5:13PM
I think the Ferrari laptops are kind of tacky, but the Ferrari suit is worse.
DPC car videos @ Sep 15th 2006 7:07PM
Nice jacket, there is no better person for the test driver then Schu.
andrew @ Sep 16th 2006 2:03AM
I am gonna start watching the test drives instead of the races if thats the case:D
Mike @ Sep 16th 2006 3:31AM
I don't get it. If he is still going to devote all of that time to be a test driver then why not just stay on as lead race driver? If he was retiring to go sale the caribbean then I could understand he reason for wanting to leave, but to test drive? He's basically decided to do only the boring work of driving, and none of the fun (the racing!)
Andre @ Sep 16th 2006 6:32AM
well he did not say he will do it (yet?), but Ferrari REALLY wants him to stay. To me that says enough about the real qualities of Raikkonen and Schumacher. Kimi is just a driving machine, Michael was THE driving machine (just think wet weather) AND is one of the few driver ever who really is able to develop the car. He must have a direct wire to the car he is driving. Thats why Alonso's Zidane comment was bulls***, as is his wish to ever come close to Michael in his own capabilities.
Like him or not as a person, but considering his driving and what he did for racing/developing a car and team - he is simply one of the best driver EVER.
dreesemonkey @ Sep 19th 2006 1:54PM
That's possibly even a better job, much less stress and you still get to drive F1 cars.
But being the stig would be the best job in the world. If only my "I am the stig" shirt was actually true :(