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BREAKING: Schumacher likely to return to F1 racing with Mercedes
Say it ain't so, Schu! The Daily Telegraph is reporting that seven-time World Champion Michael Schumacher is close to signing on with the newly formed Mercedes Formula 1 team. Mercedes is the new name of the former Brawn GP team, the current Constructors Champion. After a stellar rookie season that saw this former Honda team clinch not just the Constructors Championship, but also the Drivers Championship for Jenson Button, they had a bit of a dropoff as Button bolted for rival McLaren.
That left a seat to fill at Mercedes and if BBC Sport's Eddie Jordan is to be believed, none other than Michael Schumacher is about to sign a one-year contract to return to racing in that very car. The deal, which would net Schumacher the same salary that Button turned down at Brawn GP in favour of McLaren, would finally see the German teaming up with Mercedes, who were in the past unsuccessful in their bids to lure him away from Ferrari.
Ferrari almost lured the retired champ back this season when Felipe Massa went down following the infamous spring incident in Hungary. The Champ's sore neck put a stop to that comeback, but apparently it got Schumi's juices flowing again. Signing with Mercedes would create something of a German dream team with Nico Rosberg in the other car. If the deal goes through, MS will be reunited with Brawn GP-namesake and current Mercedes team principal Ross Brawn, the man who guided Michael to all seven of his World titles.
Still just a rumor for the moment, the deal is said to give Schumacher the same salary Button turned down when he defected to McLaren. The Schumacher deal is just the latest volley in the silly season melee that has seen Kimi Raikkonen vacate his seat in order to make room for Fernando Alonso at Ferrari, which lost adviser Michael Schumacher as well. Whatever the future holds, it is only going to get more interesting. We'll keep you posted as things develop. Thanks to everyone for the tips!
[Source: The Daily Telegraph via Planet F1, BBC Sport | Image Source: Getty]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
Pdexter 2:35PM (11/20/2009)
F1 is weird thing in a sense that while i have been watching it from 80's i would think i have okish picture of the history and what's happening, there's usually 100 rumours around one thing and one of them is true. So who knows what will happen here.
Example in Kimi's case, Kimi said just yesterday that his off from F1 for one year to do nothing or drive in WRC and Le Mans. BUT just today his manager said that he is in talks with Mercedes. Norbert Haug(Benz boss) commented yesterday that Kimi can call him anyday and they can talk.
I really wouldn't mind to see Schumi or Kimi in Benz. I would actually want to see one or another.
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mitchw 4:10PM (11/20/2009)
There is a reason this is called the silly season. And the dude still looks like a lesbian.
OC_cars 7:22PM (11/20/2009)
Rumours?! The Stig eats 'em for Tea!
louisj 2:37PM (11/20/2009)
"Still just a rumor for the moment,"
Yeah, I don't believe it. As much as I would like to see Schumi back in the seat its seems crazy that they would pick him up over Kimi. Unless he was going to drive for free or 1 euro who could afford him. He was the highest paid driver. Kimi going to Brawn seems more likely to me and Schumacher as the team adviser perhaps.
- Louis J. @ http://www.providagroup.com
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Mayoman 5:43PM (11/20/2009)
according to the article, it says that they would pay Schumacher what they were going to pay Button, which was around $8-$10million. Kimi wants to get paid more than that. so I see Schumacher as a more likely chance than Kimi. although, Kimi does look better in black.
Sam 3:27PM (11/20/2009)
Mercedes could afford him that's who.
They tried to prise him away from Ferrari with a tempting offer of around £40million but he didn't want to leave the team because of one man, guess who that one man was. Ross Brawn.
louisj 4:19PM (11/20/2009)
"Mercedes could afford him that's who."
Well maybe the purse has opened up now that they pushed Button to McClaren. I still find it hard to believe they'll be offering 30-40+ million Euros for Michael when no one would pick up Kimi for 10-15.
I'll believe it when he announces it here:
http://www.michael-schumacher.de/?page=news&story_id=&lang=uk
;)
- Louis J. @ http://www.providagroup.com
mapoftazifosho 2:40PM (11/20/2009)
God, and women think they have all the drama with their celebrity gossip!
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Carlos 2:40PM (11/20/2009)
I'll believe it when I see it
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xpolarx 2:50PM (11/20/2009)
I 2nd that. I'd be more likely to believe that this is an attempt to strong-arm Ferrari into making Shumi a better deal. And I get the feeling that Ferrari will cave. They'd put Massa out to pasture just to keep Shumacher in their stable.
Carlos 5:56PM (11/20/2009)
Its a ridiculous statement, Mercedes and Schumacher is like lamb and tuna fish, it just doesn't make sense.
Tim 5:59PM (11/20/2009)
Schumacher raced Mercedes Group C sports cars prior to entering F1.
DiRF 2:42PM (11/20/2009)
How can he do this? How can he turn his back on the team he won championships with?! Poor Benetton...
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Alex 2:55PM (11/20/2009)
So Schumacher is going to accept the salary that Button turned down? That's odd. I would have assumed a 7 time champ would be able to command a hell of a lot more than last year's champ, even if he is coming out a retirement. Maybe its just a strong Germanic loyalty?
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AZZO45b 5:32PM (11/20/2009)
I read Jenson turned down Brawn's final 12 MILLION dollar offer before he signed for 6 MILLION @ McLaren. Why would Schumi drive a MB for 12M when Ferrari used to pay him 30M???
Also, sad to see Michael making a comeback. Some think he was "The Greatest" & was being beat by Alonso in 2005 /2006. Another guy that wore that title came back once too often as well. PLEASE!!! Don't do an "Muhammad Ali" Mr. Schumacher.
Flea 2:58PM (11/20/2009)
the number of ties and relations he would have to cut with ferrari to get to sit in a tub of mercedes technology is so ludicrous I can't really see this happening.
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mikespeed95 3:07PM (11/20/2009)
maybe, just maybe, to some people
maybe some older people
maybe some people who've done everything
and have everything
maybe
sometimes its not about money, its about getting back out there and competing/having fun.
just maybe.
if this happens i'll probably be actually interested in f1 next year.
also Kimi has been pulled onto my 24hoursoflemons.com team, he is the highest paid driver at 2 $5 footlongs/race.
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Yaroukh 3:15PM (11/20/2009)
+bazillion
Chance 3:16PM (11/20/2009)
that first line should have read "Say it ain't true, Schu"
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Throwback 3:25PM (11/20/2009)
This certainly would a little excitement to F1. If we can't have passing during the races, at least we will see is Schui still has it.
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