Mercedes AMG hints Schumacher to stay in 2013
21 February, 2012
Michael Schumacher with Norbert Haug in Barcelona
Feb.21 (GMM) Mercedes on Tuesday gave the strongest hint yet that Michael Schumacher is set to stay with the Brackley based team beyond the 2012 F1 season.
The seven time world champion returned from retirement with the German team in 2010, and has been widely criticised for failing to live up to the hype of his meteoric initial career.
But 2011 was undoubtedly a better season for the 43-year-old, moving team boss Ross Brawn to hint that Schumacher could receive a new deal for 2013.
“At the moment we aren’t talking to any other drivers,” he told Sport Bild magazine. “I am also assuming that he is not talking to other teams.”
“So if Michael is still enjoying what he’s doing while bringing in the results that we expect, then why not? He definitely has not said that he is toying with the idea of stopping,” added Brawn.
Mercedes’ competition director Norbert Haug added that the great German is “still one of the best race drivers in the field”.
Haug said Schumacher is often as fast or faster than his younger teammate Nico Rosberg, which is impressive “because Nico is undoubtedly among the five best drivers in F1″, he is quoted by FAZ newspaper.
Added Brawn: “It took a little longer than planned for Michael to be where he wanted to be — and even longer than I would have thought.
“The first year was difficult,” admitted Schumacher’s former Ferrari colleague. “I think he did an excellent job in the races in the second year, while Nico was slightly better than him in qualifying.
“I think that really frustrated him (Schumacher),” added Brawn.
Related posts:
- Brawn wants Schumacher for 2013
- Schumacher set to stay in F1 until end of 2013
- Mercedes wants Schumacher for long term
- Haug hints at DTM future for Schumacher
- Rosberg wants to stay at Mercedes for long
Michael is still better than 65% of the grid and will be for 2013 too..I’ve been a fan of his for since he raced for Mercedes in Sports Cars. Easy for people to say bad things, but I think his record(s) will stand for many years to come. One of the best and I’ve watched F1 since 1967..predicted the world champion 37 times in 44 seasons..he is a legend enjoying what he does, even if he’s not winning…
@Twiinz
I’d say schumi is past his twighlight years. Mercedes want Schumi to retire like everyone else…at 65
It’s ok to be a fanboy of Schumi. Heck, if you cut his records in half he is still one of the top drivers in F1 ever. I doubt he will win another title, but a few more wins are not out of the realm of possibility. Schumi in his twilight years is still in the top 5 of all the current drivers. His racecraft is probably better than that.
@ Matthias
Try sleeping with your hands on top of the bed sheets.
Otherwise someone may call you a wanker.
I really hope he stays with Mercedes and extends his contract for another 10 yrs.. He is still the best driver in the world… Hopefully 2012 will be his winning year again like the years from 2000 – 2004.