Brawn wants Schumacher for 2013
23 November, 2011
Ross Brawn and Michael Schumacher
Nov.23 (GMM) Ross Brawn will turn his attention to Michael Schumacher’s expiring contract in the middle of next season and is hoping the seven times world champion will continue with the team.
Mercedes’ other driver Nico Rosberg has already inked a new deal beyond next year, but there have been questions about Schumacher’s desire to keep racing and also speculation linking Kimi Raikkonen to the seat in 2013.
“We have a contract (with Schumacher) for next year and if he is happy then I see no reason why we cannot continue with an agreement in 2013 as well,” team boss Brawn told Autosprint magazine.
The Brackley based team has finished 2011 fourth in the constructors’ standings, but the W02 car was below the German marque’s expectations.
Asked what went wrong, Brawn answered: “We thought it was important to have a rather short wheelbase but the reality with the exhaust systems showed that we were not right.
“So we did not start with the right basis.”
Schumacher’s former boss at Ferrari Luca di Montezemolo is not sure the 42-year-old German is the right man for Mercedes.
“This last two seasons has not been about a driver (Schumacher) representing modern motoring,” he told the La Politica nel Pallone programme.
“He made the choice to come back, and I don’t think he had a competitive car, but to me it’s a shame that a champion like him is not even on the podium.
“I would wish to see him close the second phase of his sporting life with a much greater satisfaction,” added Montezemolo.
Related posts:
- Schumacher set to stay in F1 until end of 2013
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- Brawn: Title fight is far from decided
- No new F1 deal for Schumacher says Brawn
- Michael Schumacher back to Mercedes?
Schumi will end his final career back with Ferrari for a year..Luca and MSC know this.
Rosberg may hae more points but Schumi always showed the better race. Whenever Rosberg finish the race ahead, Schumi is right behind him. But whenever Schumi is ahead, Rosberg is so far away…
I don’t think Montezemolo had the right to say anything about MS. In fact had MS been healthy during Felipe’s accident, he whould have taken him back at Ferrari. He’s just bitter MS didn’t stick with them…
Despite all the recent criticism, I don’t see who would perform better in the Mercedes.
Sure he hasn’t performed quite as well as Rosberg but he is showing that he is getting back to his old form and I’m sure it won’t be much longer until he’s outperforming Rosberg, who in his own right is a very quick driver who I feel is on the same level as Vettel.
Once Mercedes has built a race/championship winning car, I don’t think it’s unrealistic to see Schumacher on the top step of the podium again.
Schumacher also brings loads of experience, marketing potential and ability to develop a car and motivate a team with him.
He is still a great asset to any team, despite what some people would have you believe.