Mercedes: Expectations of Schumacher were probably too high
3 October, 2012
Norbert Haug, Michael Schumacher and Ross Brawn on the occasion of the 20th F1 Anniversary party for Schumi during the Belgian Grand Prix weekend
Oct.3 (GMM) Responding to a barrage of criticism in the German press, Norbert Haug says Mercedes decided to oust Michael Schumacher after the seven time world champion’s “long period of reflection” while the manufacturer’s big boss admitted that expectations were perhaps too high.
The German marque has poached Lewis Hamilton from McLaren, teaming him with Nico Rosberg for 2013 and beyond.
Former driver and German-language television pundit Christian Danner told DAPD news agency that Schumacher was “dumped ice-cold”, even though he has some sympathy for Mercedes on the basis that the highly rated Hamilton was on the market.
But German motor racing federation chief Hans-Joachim Stuck told Spox he was “shocked” when he heard that Mercedes had dropped Schumacher.
“Hamilton is definitely one of the fastest F1 drivers, but for me he lacks the consistency. I don’t think Mercedes has done itself a favour,” added Stuck.
Another former German driver, Jochen Mass, told Auto Presse that the way Schumacher was dumped via press release was “below the belt”.
But Mercedes’ Haug explained: “Michael has had a long period of reflection and was not definitively sure whether he wanted to go on or not.”
When asked about reports that the 43-year-old was only Mercedes’ ‘plan C’ for 2013, Haug answered evasively: “Michael was informed that the team had to develop its alternatives, he was always informed and he accepted that,” he is quoted by Welt.
Mercedes/Daimler chairman Dieter Zetsche is also on the defensive, insisting the Hamilton signing is “not a reproach” of the seven time world champion’s performance since 2010.
Zetsche did admit to Bild newspaper that, “given the name of Michael Schumacher, expectations were probably too high” for his comeback.
“But I called Michael on the day the decision was announced to speak with him. It was a very good discussion,” insisted Zetsche.
It is clear, however, that Schumacher’s next discussions are with teams that might want to take him on board for 2013.
Sauber, Williams, Lotus and even Ferrari have been mentioned, but the latter is almost certainly not in the frame.
Swiss commentator Marc Surer told Servus TV that Sauber is a “romantic” option given Schumacher’s pre-F1 sports car past, but thinks that the financial aspect will spoil the deal.
“They would need a sponsor to pay Schumacher. So I believe that’s why this opportunity will fail,” he said.
Danner, however, said that Schumacher should push for Sauber if he still wants to have “fun” at grands prix.
But if Sauber is Schumacher’s only option, Gerhard Berger insists: “It’s time for him to stop.
“Schumacher is for Ferrari, Red Bull, McLaren or Mercedes. [Anything] else cannot be an alternative,” the Austrian great told Auto Motor und Sport.
Berger does not scold Mercedes for moving on.
“You have to congratulate them,” he said, “as with Hamilton and Rosberg they have a great driver pairing – probably the best.
“If you have the chance to get Hamilton, you really have to try,” Berger insisted.
He also understands why Briton Hamilton needed a new challenge after six years with McLaren.
“Most drivers need a change of scenery after three or four years,” said Berger, who in his career drove for teams including Benetton, McLaren and Ferrari.
“It brings you new motivation,” he explained. “Of course the McLaren is the better car, but the appeal for him now is to make his Mercedes the best one.”
Subbed by AJN.
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A drivers reputation can be cemented more when he’s not got the best car than when he has. Think Senna in 1993 – no chance of winning the title but extracting every ounce of what his McLaren had and scoring some brilliant wins, including his careers best at Donington. His reputation was built as much in his Toleman and Lotus days, and latter years at McLaren, as in 88, 90 and 91 when he won the title. Schumacher, conversely, isn’t widely considered as a true great despite winning 7 titles and 91 races, because many of them came with a huge advantage in machinery and tyres.
You Schumacher fans are a real hoot. Excuses excuses excuses, that is all you do is yell out excuses.
Funny for a car so bad how in the hell did Rosberg win a race in it?
Maybe it is time you Schumacher fans face some cold hard facts and that is Schumacher has gotten old and he can no longer keep up with the young guns of the sport. Hell he gets his rear end handed to him regularly by Rosberg.
The real fact is Schumacher without his Bridgestone tire advantage was just a mid field driver. His past three seasons with Mercedes have proven that.
You want to see how bad Schumacher really is, just wait until next year when Rosberg gets his rear end handed to him by Hamilton.
RedBull should get Schumi
Whether or not the responses of other posters have any merit, it is clear that the circus of F1 can still trade on Schumacher’s name. I disagree completely with those who say that a year or two at Sauber would trash his name. He doesn’t need the money, the Sauber team is on an upswing (always a darkhorse in the midfield) as the C31 has proven to be a capable machine. He could bring a lot to Sauber and they are on record as being willing to welcome him, so why not?
@ Confused. Indeed you are confused. The admin @ yallaF1 should find a way where only people with minimum brain cells can comment. Why don’t you start by reading a bit of history Mr/Ms Confused and verify your facts. Or better why don’t you concentrating on fishing instead.
@confused you are a sad, sad, sad kid. I guess Juan Manuel Fangio was also a huge cheater, right? oh nonono… I guess Ayrton Senna was a superb cheater too. Oooh, haters, haters everywhere.
Merc sucks and is full of crap. Whatever they say they ruined schumi! All expected them to perform well not only schumi. They failed to give him a good car. Period!
Wait a minute, all you Schumacher fans crowed how it was Schumacher who developed the Ferrari and how without Schumacher Ferrari would have went no where. You all crowed how he was going to develope the Mercedes single handily.
Now those same Schumacher fans forget that.
Face it When Schumacher was at Bennetion there was cleaver electronics that were in play but the FIA just could not and did not have the knowledge to prove the cheating that was going on at Bennetion.
Then Schumacher went to Ferrari and we all know the truth of how Bridgestone was giving Schumacher a tire different from anyone one else that was a full two seconds faster then the tires they were giving to the other teams.
I thought the Japanees were big on honor yet I have yet to see the Japanees heads of Bridgestone show their same for their outright cheating with Schumacher.
By the way the tires claim is varifed by Gary Anderson when he was with Jordan. No one was even allowed to look at the tires from Schumachers Ferrari let alone touch them.
Schumacher has been exposed as just an average driver who cheated his entire career that when in equal equipment is a midfield driver at best as has been born out in the past 2 1/2 years due to his own team mate winning in the same car that Schumacher fails to win in.
Berger spot on..
Anyway, MSC should become a pay driver if he still wants to race. No one is willing to waste a lot of cash on him.
Look at Mercedes . . . .
They share much of the blame in destroying his legacy . . .
He is and will remain as competitive as he was 10-15 years ago . . .
Hamilton will regret his decision . . .
If he wins the Championship in 2014 or 2015 then Micheal could also have done that by opting to stay with Mercedes
But you know may be he has lost faith in Brawn and silver arrows after driving this sh-t in last 3 years. He came back to make it 8 not for driving in the midfield.
Any how it was his decision not to extend his contract not mercedes’
I’m sure it was a mutual thing! None of the last 3 cars from Mercedes coverded the Silver Arrows in glory!