Schumacher retirement rumours and dismissals

[SeeFive]

http://uk.autoblog.com/2011/08/08/schumacher-admit...

Michael Schumacher has reportedly admitted he is considering returning to retirement.

Corriere dello Sport said that despite the seven time world champion having a contract for 2012, he might hang up his helmet at the end of this season.

"I arrived at Mercedes with a specific task: not winning at all costs but to grow the team," the 42-year-old is quoted as saying.

"If anything, I am the problem: it is a fact that I am a bit more relaxed than before and I do not know if my mindset is right for this team.

"At some point we will evaluate whether I continue or stop," added Schumacher.

Should the German retire for the second time, Force India's Paul di Resta is considered the favourite for his Mercedes race seat in 2012.

And then...

http://uk.autoblog.com/2011/08/10/schumacher-manag...

Michael Schumacher's manager has slammed reports the seven time world champion is considering returning to retirement at the end of the season.

Italy's Corriere dello Sport this week quoted the Mercedes driver as admitting that despite his 2012 contract, "I do not know if my mindset is right for this team".

But Bild newspaper quotes the seven time world champion's manager Sabine Kehm as dismissing the quotes as "All nonsense".

"Since he returned to F1, Michael has not spoken to anyone from Corriere dello Sport," she insisted.

Kehm clarified that her 42-year-old boss is not about to quit.

"He is full of passion for the project and regards it as an exciting challenge to build something big together with Mercedes.

"That it is sometimes tough only encourages him more," she said. "Someone who will soon celebrate their 20th anniversary in formula one knows that perseverance is what makes the difference."

[robmlufc]

I think he will goto sports car racing, he has unfinished business at Le Mans, maybe with Mercedes? I hear Audi are after some drivers..

[Phil-CH]

I for one would miss him. Although he hasn't quite had the pace in qualifying compared to Rosberg, he does have it on race day, where IMO he has impressed far more than his younger teammate. He has also made mistakes though that have been costly during the race, but the potential is still there...

I wish we could see how much more he could get out of a car that suits him better...

[StevieBee]

It's odd. I never warmed to him before - even to the point of enjoying when he didn't win but of late, I've grown to rather like him - seems more 'human'. Hope he sticks around and takes a few wins if only to show that people in their 40s still have it!

[28jaguar]

StevieBee said:

It's odd. I never warmed to him before - even to the point of enjoying when he didn't win but of late, I've grown to rather like him - seems more 'human'. Hope he sticks around and takes a few wins if only to show that people in their 40s still have it!

People have sympathy for Michael Schumacher ( As far as I'm aware even Damon Hill is supporting him ), after all the pain he's inflicted upon us, What's the world coming to?

[drgoatboy]

StevieBee said:

It's odd. I never warmed to him before - even to the point of enjoying when he didn't win but of late, I've grown to rather like him - seems more 'human'. Hope he sticks around and takes a few wins if only to show that people in their 40s still have it!

I'm exactly the same, weird isn't it. I used to be willing him to not finish a race in his former career, now I would be quite pleased if he got a win. (although I think one would be sufficient)

It would be a shame if he went at the end of the season, he seems to be steadily improving now after last years pretty awful season.

[Alfanatic]

drgoatboy said:

StevieBee said:

It's odd. I never warmed to him before - even to the point of enjoying when he didn't win but of late, I've grown to rather like him - seems more 'human'. Hope he sticks around and takes a few wins if only to show that people in their 40s still have it!

I'm exactly the same, weird isn't it. I used to be willing him to not finish a race in his former career, now I would be quite pleased if he got a win. (although I think one would be sufficient)

It would be a shame if he went at the end of the season, he seems to be steadily improving now after last years pretty awful season.

Yeah I feel the same too. I did not like him in the least during his first career, mostly because of the unsporting incidents. Now however, I'm seeing a more human side of him and would enjoy seeing him get a good result.

I can't figure out if this is because he's now a lot more relaxed about his driving (which I think is part of the reason he's off the pace, actually, he doesn't seem hungry enough anymore) or if it's because on BBC we often get his point of view whereas he never spoke to British TV while ITV had the contract, so I never got a glimpse of the mindset that drove some of his more controversial decisions.

Or, he could appear more human now because he looks rather less competent and keeps making mistakes...

[JMC1]

Oh Get real... where has his sympathy been over the years for the sh.t he has caused on track. I did not see much of a human side to him last year when he nearly put Rubens in the pit wall. Let him go home and polish his huge stack of trophies and count his colossal pile of cash.
I for one will not miss him but I do regret the mark he left on the sport.

[S18DMW]

Phil-CH said:

I for one would miss him. Although he hasn't quite had the pace in qualifying compared to Rosberg, he does have it on race day, where IMO he has impressed far more than his younger teammate. He has also made mistakes though that have been costly during the race, but the potential is still there...

I wish we could see how much more he could get out of a car that suits him better...

Completely agree with this.

[hotmelt]

He must stay, just he needs bigger push from outside(and his inside) to drive 100 percent.

[Streps]

I just hope he continues..
After Canada he demonstrated he is still capable.

One more win would be great.

[JMC1]

I am seriously beginning to wonder why I come on this site any more I do not understand peoples general opinion on here now.

Yes Yes I know we are all entitled to our own opinion but not a single reply to say good riddance to an ageing Schumacher who does not really have the touch any more.

Not a single Hurrah Paul Di-Resta could get his drive. Is this like the Andy Murray thing in that we would rather support a German than a Scotsman.

I bet if Paul Di-Resta ever starts winning races he will be British but if he nose dives out of F1 then he will remembered as being Scots.

TTFN may be for good.

[mchammer89]

JMC1 said:

I am seriously beginning to wonder why I come on this site any more I do not understand peoples general opinion on here now.

Yes Yes I know we are all entitled to our own opinion but not a single reply to say good riddance to an ageing Schumacher who does not really have the touch any more.

Not a single Hurrah Paul Di-Resta could get his drive. Is this like the Andy Murray thing in that we would rather support a German than a Scotsman.

I bet if Paul Di-Resta ever starts winning races he will be British but if he nose dives out of F1 then he will remembered as being Scots.

TTFN may be for good.

You're wondering why you come to a forum where people don't want Schumacher to go? And you make it sound like we should primarily because he's German?

Well off you go then, good riddance.

[Redmax]

S18DMW said:

Completely agree with this.

Me too.

[TheArchitect]

I still remember him as been the evil little bugger of old, just a bit older and a bit more relaxed now. whilst he is good imo he is not good enough to be in f1 any longer, he is taking up space where some young and very potent younger drivers could be i.e Paul Di Resta, Nico Hulkenburg. which also has a knock on affect agaisnt drivers like Karun Chandhok

[Skii]

I've started to like him a lot more these days, hated the whole Ferrari dominance era and this turned me almost completely off the sport, I recall not watching a single grand prix for around 4 years. Apart from his move on Rubens last year his come-back has revealed a more patient, not always successful but certainly likeable side of Schumacher that I hadn't seen before.

I guess we have a combination of his age, an army of stewards, endless regulations and rules, and no longer a dominant car to thank for the more subdued and inconsistent Schumacher, I would miss him , and I never thought I'd say that...

[StottyZr]

I want to see him win. I think its down the passion he has for racing. He left on a high and returning to Forumla 1 was a huge risk. Because of his passion to race he took the risk, I admire that. I don't think he quite realised how much support he has from the fans.

[JMC1]

My comment is not about Schumacher being German but about his utter disregard during his whole career for others.

Yes Yes I know winners are single minded but he has been a complete and utter git through his whole career which came back in to focus for what he did to Rubens last year. His behaviour and reputation has been heavily debated elsewhere on this forum with the eventual out come being that most agreed he was a flawed talent. He does not have the flair or speed any more so he is taking up a reasonably good seat.

My other point is would we not be glad to see Di-Resta moving up the grid at the expense of Schumacher retiring. Or as I said before is Di-Resta not that popular like Andy Murray because he is Scots.

Personally I would like to see Shumacher retire and to see Di-Resta get the drive.

[DieselGriff]

I'll be honest and say I don't think he should have returned - he left on a relative high and he should have left it at that, sure get involved with F1 - that's his passion but if going to drive then I think he should have looked at a different series.

Whilst he no doubt has talent I'm wondering if Mercedes would actually be better off (points wise) with him taking a definitive first driver position, I mean that is the position he is used to and he used it to great effect in getting his championships?

Taking nothing from Rosberg, quite the opposite but I can't help but feel that MS would have taken them higher as lead to the detriment of Rosberg. I'm glad they have not taken this view as it has been good for F1 and Rosberg and is why I won't be sad to see him leave F1 as a driver.

[KaraK]

JMC1 said:

My comment is not about Schumacher being German but about his utter disregard during his whole career for others.

Yes Yes I know winners are single minded but he has been a complete and utter git through his whole career which came back in to focus for what he did to Rubens last year. His behaviour and reputation has been heavily debated elsewhere on this forum with the eventual out come being that most agreed he was a flawed talent. He does not have the flair or speed any more so he is taking up a reasonably good seat.

My other point is would we not be glad to see Di-Resta moving up the grid at the expense of Schumacher retiring. Or as I said before is Di-Resta not that popular like Andy Murray because he is Scots.

Personally I would like to see Shumacher retire and to see Di-Resta get the drive.

That's your opinion and I while I disagree with it I can understand it. What I don't understand is why you felt the need to throw your toys out of the pram just because there wasn't universal agreement with you.