Ralf signs for Toyota Shocker

[venom]

Didn't see that one coming. Err, oh hang on....

BBC Website said:

Toyota have confirmed that Ralf Schumacher will drive for them in 2005. Schumacher, who had been widely expected to leave Williams for Toyota, has signed a three-year deal with the Japanese team. The German might not get to race again for Williams after fracturing vertebrae at the United States Grand Prix. Toyota boss Tsutomu Tomita said: "He's proven himself to be extremely quick. I'm sure his vast experience will be extremely beneficial to our team."

Full story here

I'm not convinced this is that great a move for Toyota. Yep they've got a big budget but signing Ralf just equates to the same thing as BAR and Villeneuve a few years ago for me.

>>> Edited by venom on Wednesday 7th July 13:21

[daydreamer]

Except that Villeneuve was at least a World Champion.

I don't think that anyone who follows Motorsport can really understand this one. Ralph has proven that in order to go quick he needs a perfectly sorted car. Signing to a team that needs a development driver and one that can drive around problems does not Schumacher Junior suit.

I can only conclude that the board of Toyota thought that they were getting his brother.

[Marki]

so Sochiroo you sign Schumacher

Yes master

ohhh no Sochiroo wong Schumacher

not laurf Schumacher you sirry idiot

[mg511]

Ralph has said he wants to do at Toyota what Michael did at Ferrari, but I don't think he has the talent as a driver or a team motivator. He also won't be bringing the likes of Brawn & Byrne with him. I don't see Toyota making a significant breakthrough unless they up-sticks and move the team to England, where the expertise is. It'll be interesting to see if Ralph drives for Williams again this year, and who they use if he doesn't, Gene didn't do himself any favours in France but I see he's been confirmed for Silverstone.

[HiRich]

Marki said:

so Sochiroo you sign Schumacher Yes master ohhh no Sochiroo wong Schumacher not laurf Schumacher you sirry idiot

Oddly enough, that's exactly how Villeneuve's career was kick-started...

[pistol pete]

German driver, German team anything to do with it?

[LancsDriver]

I wonder what Gazza thinks of all this, word was that he didnt think much of Ralfy when he was with him at Jordan, hopefully they will get a competent second driver, Webber is linked? Although havng said that I would now rather see Mark in the Williams.
And whats this Jenson is reported as saying he isnt sure he will be with BAR after nextyear?
Let the silly season begin!

>> Edited by LancsDriver on Wednesday 7th July 21:30

[mg511]

Gazboy said:

mg511 said: Ralph has said he wants to do at Toyota what Michael did at Ferrari, but I don't think he has the talent as a driver or a team motivator. He also won't be bringing the likes of Brawn & Byrne with him. I don't see Toyota making a significant breakthrough unless they up-sticks and move the team to England, where the expertise is. It'll be interesting to see if Ralph drives for Williams again this year, and who they use if he doesn't, Gene didn't do himself any favours in France but I see he's been confirmed for Silverstone. Germany ain't that far away, and besides, the Germans and the Japanese are pretty quick developers. Makes no sense for Toyota, perfect sense for Ralph- Toyota will be a big player by the end on next season.

The big problem Toyota have in Germany is not only recruiting top people but the very strict employment laws, which make it very difficult to sack people. Mike Gascoyne is trying to make sweeping changes but all the people he tries to get rid of end up on 'gardening leave' and remain on the payroll, which gets very expensive with F1 salaries

[Ahonen]

mg511 said:

The big problem Toyota have in Germany is not only recruiting top people but the very strict employment laws, which make it very difficult to sack people. Mike Gascoyne is trying to make sweeping changes but all the people he tries to get rid of end up on 'gardening leave' and remain on the payroll, which gets very expensive with F1 salaries

I think Toyota can afford it - it has the biggest budget in F1, after all.

[mg511]

Ahonen said:

mg511 said: The big problem Toyota have in Germany is not only recruiting top people but the very strict employment laws, which make it very difficult to sack people. Mike Gascoyne is trying to make sweeping changes but all the people he tries to get rid of end up on 'gardening leave' and remain on the payroll, which gets very expensive with F1 salaries I think Toyota can afford it - it has the biggest budget in F1, after all.

Ferrari still top dog for budget I think, and Toyota top brass are cutting back their F1 spending if you believe the article I read (can't remember where)

[FourWheelDrift]

They've gone from rumoured biggest budget to 2nd biggest budget since the begining of the year. $400 million

I'm sure the budget rumour will go up again when they start getting some results

[mg511]

FourWheelDrift said:

They've gone from rumoured biggest budget to 2nd biggest budget since the begining of the year. $400 million I'm sure the budget rumour will go up again when they start getting some results

Do you mean Australia next year when Ralph wins on his debut?

[Racefan_uk]

The only good point about it is that Williams no longer have to spend huge amounts of money employing him and they can get someone with talent in to help them regain more form.

He'll have three years (maybe less) at Toyota before either he or the team get fed up and he'll be gone.

[andyps]

Could it be that the back problem was a convenient way for Frank to get Ralf out of the driving seat for the rest of the year? It did take a long time to surface after a crash following which I would have expected an X-ray to be done pretty quickly.

[toppstuff]

Big mistake I think.

Ralph will get into the project with enthusiasm to start.

Inevitably however, there will lots of problems, and I reckon Ralph will just lose his fizz and go to sleep mid race ( as he so often does )...

There might be the odd flash of promise, but I don't think that this is going to work....

[Mutt Kennelkof]

Is it me or is there something not quite right with that boy?

1) behaves like a big girls blouse when things don't go right.

2) allegedly did not penetrate Jordan when they slept together

3) "wife" does not appear to be around very much and wedding attended by only Mr & Mrs M Schumacher. Was marriage arranged by manager Willi Wobbler to maintain appearance that his client is hairy chested hetero man of action to keep sponsors, team, fans etc happy?.

4) Son produced in double quick time. See 3) above

5) rumour a little while ago on Popbitch that a married F1 driver got a little bit too excited when having a massage and asked if masseur would like to play with stiffie