Ralf close to leaving the sport?

[<_Spike_>]

Interesting, if the rumours are true...

Ralf Schumacher could be closer to following his illustrious brother out of Formula One than anyone realises, if rumours in the German media are to be believed.

According to Bild, the German may be given the two 'flyaway' races in Canada and the United States to raise his game, or face the axe when Formula One returns to the more familiar European circuits, where a replacement could be slotted more easily in alongside Jarno Trulli.

Although Schumacher has a contract with the Cologne-based team until the end of the year - with all options on the team's side - his lacklustre start to the year has apparently prompted a rethink as to his role within the squad.

Much has been made in recent weeks about the financial burden Schumacher poses to Toyota, with his deal worth an estimated E17m a year, given the return he is producing.

Just one point has come the German's way this season and, while Trulli has also found the going tough with the TF107, the Italian continues to out-perform his team-mate.

Schumacher failed to break out for the first qualifying session in Monaco, and dropped to the back of the field in the early stages, and has failed to shine at any race so far in 2007.

Team president John Howett told Bild that he would be watching the market with interest in the coming weeks, but insisted that talks between the two parties were ongoing - despite the newspaper reporting that a tete-a-tete between employer and driver in Monaco resulted in a heated exchange that saw each blaming the other for the year's shortcomings.

Schumacher's manager, Hans Mahr, has already been quoted this season as claiming that, should Toyota decide to drop his charge at the end of the season, there were plenty of other options for 2008.

However, in Monaco, he was insisting that Toyota should be honourable enough to see Schumacher's contract through to the end of the year.

Obvious replacements do not spring readily to mind, although Franck Montagny currently serves as chief tester for the team and had F1 experience from time in the backroom with Renault and race appearances with Super Aguri in 2007.

Toyota's young driver programme is probably still some way from producing an F1-ready pilot, although Kazuki Nakajima has carried out third driver duties with 'customer' team Williams this season and has shown raw pace in his first three GP2 meetings.

Source - SkySports

 

[Appie]

So Toyota finally noticed that Ralf isnt really one of the best. I think that there better drivers and they need to do something about the Aerodynamics.

 

[Lee]

Meh wouldn't notice his absence really, would we?

 

[Omnis]

I bet Toyota signs Sutil.

 

[Danny]

But he's one of the top three drivers! He can't just leave!

 

[Sureboss]

Good riddance tbh, never been that good and there are better options. Especially for what he is/was earning.

 

[ExigeEvan]

It's about bloody time.

He's never shown any promise and in my opinion lives off the Schumacher name. Why it's taken this long is beyond me.

 

[Dougboy]

It's about bloody time.

He's never shown any promise and in my opinion lives off the Schumacher name. Why it's taken this long is beyond me.

He was not bad back at Williams. Then again, the same could have been said for Huan Pablo

 

[Appie]

He was not bad back at Williams. Then again, the same could have been said for Huan Pablo

Juan Pablo

Anyway, Ralf did a good job a Williams though, he won races when the car wasn't that good in 2001 and fought for title in 2003. But its time for fresh blood:tup:

 

[RouWa]

Even here in Germany everyone hates Ralf. I don't know a single person who likes him. Even if he stays, he is punished enough with his stupid wife. However, Ralf isn't smart either. Their common IQ is still two-digit.

 

[prisonermonkeys]

PPersonally, I think Ralf is one of the most over-hyped drivers (if not the most over-hyped driver) on the current grid. It hasn't been helped by his announcements that he's one of the fastest in the field and then failed to deliver on such claims, but I was surprised when Toyota kept signing both him and Trulli (the Italian may be quick in practice and qualifying, but seems to forget what he's doing come race day) as both Toyota drivers have the lowest ratio of wins to starts in the field (except maybe Button and Barichello).

 

[<_Spike_>]

Only thing I feel he's beaten anyone at was last few seasons...and that was beating Michael in being uglier...*burn*

 

[Omnis]

PPersonally, I think Ralf is one of the most over-hyped drivers (if not the most over-hyped driver) on the current grid. It hasn't been helped by his announcements that he's one of the fastest in the field and then failed to deliver on such claims, but I was surprised when Toyota kept signing both him and Trulli (the Italian may be quick in practice and qualifying, but seems to forget what he's doing come race day) as both Toyota drivers have the lowest ratio of wins to starts in the field (except maybe Button and Barichello).

Trulli is still the superior driver. By far.

 

[prisonermonkeys]

Trulli is still the superior driver. By far.

Certainly, he's just being let down by his hardware. You know, I wouldn't be too surprised if Dave Richards could coax Trulli away from Toyota for Prodrive, especially if he manages to seal the deal with Ron Dennis to use Mercedes engines/McLaren chassis next year.

 

[Bram Turismo]

Don't underestimate Trulli, he's still one of the better drivers out there IMHO. But Ralf? For a long time, I thought he would help Toyota on their title seeing his brilliant performance in the Williams in 2001-2004 but this year, he's not worth it. recently he actually said: "I'll be the one to get Toyota's first victory", yet Trulli is the superior driver over him this year. What Toyota is lacking a good teamboss which is hard to get because of Toyota's typical Japanese regimne. What I'm saying is, Toyota needs a Jean Todt, a Flavio Briatore, a Ron Dennis or even a David Richards. Honda is lacking a good teamboss as well...I really hope Ralf will go as he currently is saying "I'm sure I'll stay in F1". However, I'm hoping Trulli will stay for some reason, maybe because of the banning of the traction control for next year? Face it, if it really gets banned, the most experienced drivers will easily stand out of the field, and thus the newer drivers will have a hard time to control their car (Watch it Albers!).

About the Sutil to Toyota thing, who knows?

 

[Metar]

I bet Toyota signs Sutil.

should Toyota decide to drop his charge at the end of the season, there were plenty of other options for 2008

Sure, and Spyker'll sign Ralf.

But he's one of the top three drivers! He can't just leave!

He needs (and has) an excuse. He's got a good one, too - the Toyota actually is crappy. But then again, the car has an excuse, too - the driver is crappy.

 

[prisonermonkeys]

He needs (and has) an excuse. He's got a good one, too - the Toyota actually is crappy. But then again, the car has an excuse, too - the driver is crappy.

I don't think saying the car is dodgy is a good enough excuse. If Ralf is as good as he claims he is - and let's face it, he isn't - then a bad car should not be an excuse. I'm not saying a driver can win with any car, but you'd expect the self-proclamed "third-best driver in the sport" to be doing more on race weekend than running in last place without bothering the perennial tail-enders.

 

[Appie]

I don't think saying the car is dodgy is a good enough excuse. If Ralf is as good as he claims he is - and let's face it, he isn't - then a bad car should not be an excuse. I'm not saying a driver can win with any car, but you'd expect the self-proclaimed "third-best driver in the sport" to be doing more on race weekend than running in last place without bothering the perennial tail-enders.

And that whats i call pownage lol. But seriously, f he wants to stay in F1 then he really needs to get a bag of points for Toyota or its Bye Bye for Ralf

 

[Omnis]

And that whats i call pownage lol. But seriously, f he wants to stay in F1 then he really needs to get a bag of points for Toyota or its Bye Bye for Ralf

If Toyota is smart, they will have axed Ralf by the end of the season. As much as he's being paid, he is not delivering results and there is no reason to think he will all of a sudden become mr. champion in the next few races or next season. The wisest decision would be to cut him or his pay and hire a new driver-- Sutil, the german, perhaps-- and reinvest the money saved into hiring a better manager or creating a better car.

Ralf sucks and he will not be in the seat next season.

 

[Appie]

We all hope so lol

 

[Bram Turismo]

I would definitly say "Go for it" if Toyota decides to go with Sutil 👍

 

[Appie]

I would definitly say "Go for it" if Toyota decides to go with Sutil 👍

Agreed. Sutil has a lot of Potenial and i really hope that they will put Nakajima in it. Can't wait

 

[Blake]

Nakajima? Why?

 

[Appie]

Whats wrong with putting talents in the car?

 

[Blake]

Whats wrong with putting talents in the car?

He&#8217;s currently in 13th in GP2, recently totalled an F1 car, and hasn&#8217;t won a championship since 2003 (Formula Toyota). Honestly, I&#8217;d rather have Ralf in my car than I would Kazuki.

 

[Omnis]

Nobody wants Nakajima. Being japanese doesn't give you a seat on a japanese company's car anymore... Just ask Yuji Ide.

Appie, explain to us why you think Nakajima is fit for a seat. No offense, but no one is going to take an Albers fan seriously otherwise.

 

[prisonermonkeys]

He’s currently in 13th in GP2, recently totalled an F1 car, and hasn’t won a championship since 2003 (Formula Toyota). Honestly, I’d rather have Ralf in my car than I would Kazuki.

I don't think Sir Frank had much of a say in the signing of Nakajima. After last year's dismal efforts, Toyota probably have a lot of leverage within Williams' management. Other, better candidates may have been overlooked because Toyota wanted another Japanese driver poised to take a drive in the event that say, one of Williams' drivers were injured a la Ralf Schumacher at Indy (though common sense dictates Narain Karthikeyan would get the drive; the Indian might not be stellar, but he has had race experience).

 

[Appie]

Nobody wants Nakajima. Being japanese doesn't give you a seat on a japanese company's car anymore... Just ask Yuji Ide.

Appie, explain to us why you think Nakajima is fit for a seat. No offense, but no one is going to take an Albers fan seriously otherwise.

First of all, i'm not an Albers fan. Just because i made a comment about him doesn't mean that i'm a fan of him. And about Nakajima, i just wanna see more about him. Thats all

 

[Blake]

Appie, explain to us why you think Nakajima is fit for a seat

Williams have said he&#8217;s an okay test driver, he turns consistent laps that are quick enough to get some data from. But, as Do you race? alluded to, he&#8217;s had Toyota support since he won his first karting championship.

His seat at Williams is being paid for by Toyota (and possibly another Japanese sponsor IIRC). I&#8217;m honestly a little disappointed that a team like Williams feels the need to take pay drivers, though. It&#8217;s amazing how quickly they fell.