SCHUMACHER will (not) drive Massa's car at Valencia!!!

[corporatesteve]

It's going to suck for schumi since the mandatory 2 week factory shutdown for all teams will be in effect soon...

 

[Cap'n Jack]

It's going to suck for schumi since the mandatory 2 week factory shutdown for all teams will be in effect soon...

How so?

 

[prisonermonkeys]

Yeah, but Ferrari have requested a special dispensation from FOTA and the FIA to allow Schumacher one day to get himself acquainted with the F60 because it's so different to anything he has recently driven. I can't see Schumacher needing too much time to familiarise himself with a new car, especially on a circuit like Fiorano that he probably knows intimately. I suspect it's largely just so that he knows what to expect at Valencia. It'll be interesting to hear what he has to say about the car and the circuit; if only Australia got Martin Brundle's gridwalk as opposed to the resident idiots chattering away for fifteen minutes about a subject they have only the vaguest grasp of.

 

[Roo]

Cast your mind back to the Turkish GP, and for Webber, read Button:

You also have to look at momentum situations, which of the 2 drivers's is carrying more momentum? Webber is the clear answer, 4 podiums in a row, which includes 1 victory, wheras Vettels situation is looking a bit grim, couple of DNF's and no victories in his last 4 or 5 races.

It appears as though Webber is gaining in confidence as he understands the car more, and as he gets used to leading the pack, one of the few things he hasn't experienced much of in his career. All roads point to Webber in the end, and that's exciting.

Look at what's happened to Button since. Momentum is all well and good, but it doesn't take much to lose it. His fastest lap in Hungary was set on super softs, and the very end of the race when the track is at it's most rubbered in, on low fuel. Hardly representative when the rest of the field are struggling with the softs. Yes, Webber is a championship contender, but by no means is he clearly (that word again) the fastest driver in the field.

 

[TheCracker]

Yeah, but Ferrari have requested a special dispensation from FOTA and the FIA to allow Schumacher one day to get himself acquainted with the F60 because it's so different to anything he has recently driven. I can't see Schumacher needing too much time to familiarise himself with a new car, especially on a circuit like Fiorano that he probably knows intimately. I suspect it's largely just so that he knows what to expect at Valencia. It'll be interesting to hear what he has to say about the car and the circuit; if only Australia got Martin Brundle's gridwalk as opposed to the resident idiots chattering away for fifteen minutes about a subject they have only the vaguest grasp of.

Williams have opposed the special dispensation allowing him to test a 2009 car. All the teams had to agree so it looks like he won't get the chance.

 

[Only_in_f1]

That'll teach them for kicking them out of FOTA

 

[Tomaz]

After 3 years he would deserve a single day of training just to get know better with this year car.

Norbert Haug (McLaren Mercedes) even said that if Schumi's training was depended on him, he would let Michael to test F60b for even two weeks, not just one day.

 

[Only_in_f1]

What's the difference between young Jamie and Schumi? I hear Torro Rosso did apply for his test. It was turned down.

 

[daan]

I agree with Williams.

Yet Williams say seven-time world champion Schumacher should not be given special dispensation, citing the recent arrival of 19-year-old rookie Jaime Alguersuari into F1 when he replaced Sebastien Bourdais for Toro Rosso.

"While we welcome Michael Schumacher back to F1, the fact is any form of in-season circuit testing is strictly prohibited, a regulation clearly laid out by the FIA and adhered to by all of the teams," said Williams in a statement.

"It was for this reason Alguersuari, who drove an F1 car for the first time in Hungary, did not have the opportunity to familiarise himself with the Toro Rosso before he made his race debut.

"Williams sees no distinction between Alguersuari's situation and Schumacher's and feels any deviation from the rule would create a precedent for the future."

Williams also pointed out that Ferrari chose Schumacher over current test drivers Luca Badoer and Marc Gene, who have both tested the team's 2009 model.

"In a similar situation, Williams would unhesitatingly use its current test driver," added Williams.

"For the sake of consistency and fairness, therefore, we oppose Ferrari's proposal to test ahead of the European Grand Prix."

They have made some very valid points there regarding Alguesuari's situation and that Ferrari could have chosen Badoer/Gene who have both driven the current car.

 

[peterjford]

I agree with Williams.

They have made some very valid points there regarding Alguesuari's situation and that Ferrari could have chosen Badoer/Gene who have both driven the current car.

While Ferrari could (should?) have chosen Badoer/Gene, the situation is not the same. Alguesuari is replacing a driver that was fired, which was a deliberate act by the team. Schumacher is replacing a driver that was injured.

I don't fault Williams for not allowing a special dispensation, but I don't agree that the situations are the same.

 

[SUPER NUMBBER]

One hadn't raced in F1 ever.

The other is a 7 time F1 champion.

If there's anyone who needed practice, it was the first.

Personally I don't have anything against midseason testing; in Michael's situation it's logical to have him get acclimated to the new cars. But rules are rules, and if Jaime didn't get (or need, results considered) a break, why should he? If Michael is as good as some claim he is, he should do well too.

Besides, I'm sure WF1/RB/TR are also thinking that Ferrari could very well use the test to try out new parts.

 

[niky]

While Ferrari could (should?) have chosen Badoer/Gene, the situation is not the same. Alguesuari is replacing a driver that was fired, which was a deliberate act by the team. Schumacher is replacing a driver that was injured.

I don't fault Williams for not allowing a special dispensation, but I don't agree that the situations are the same.

One posh household hires a new gardener because the first one didn't trim the bushes to their satisfaction.

The other hires a new gardener because the first one fell down the stairs.

Both households have maids who know where all the tools are stored, who know how you need to kick the mower in the side to get it started on a cold morning, and who can mow grass decently.

Yet they don't want the maids doing it, either.

Does either have an excuse to skip the one week's processing needed to have their gardeners acquire IDs for the closed community gates?

 

[Casio]

I actually had no idea Luca Badoer was still Ferrari's test drive. He's had to be doing that for at least 10 years.

 

[mustang245]

I'm not an arrogant Mark Webber fan, I'm just using logic, Webber is second in the championship behind a faultering Brawn in Button, hence the most likely driver to win the championship, and to challenge Shumacer If he returns to his winning ways.

Fernando Alonso is not clearly better than Webber, they have never driven the same car so one cannot tell, its comments like these that are pathetic, you just have to laugh at them, and the people who make them. By

Dude, what two drivers have ever driven the 'same' car. Within a given team at a given race the teams cars are set up quite differently apart from minor technical differences, you know driver set-up? Even the two F60's are or were different, the tubs, to allow one to use Kers and the other without. So we'll not likely see direct comparisons between drivers; who's better? Pointless. Don't confuse that with success... Massa's car will 'become' Schumacher's in the same manner. Now, Webber does appear to be 'on fire'. Enjoy!

 

[Peterram430]

And now Ferrari are saying it's Williams who have a 'lack of spirit of fair play.'👎


http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/motorsport/formula_one/8184424.stm



Ferrari fume at rivals' test snub

Schumacher got behind the wheel of a 2007 Ferrari last Friday


Ferrari have hit back at the teams who blocked Michael Schumacher from testing this season's car before his F1 return.

He is set to replace the injured Felipe Massa, but Formula 1 rules prevent on-circuit testing during the season.

In an apparent swipe at Williams, who opposed the move, a Ferrari statement read: "Guess who opposed the test?

"A team that hasn't won anything for years and yet didn't pass over the opportunity to demonstrate once more a lack of spirit of fair play."

Williams, who have not won the world championship since 1997, were backed up by Red Bull and Toro Rosso, who are also opposed to Schumacher getting behind the wheel of Massa's F60 car.

All three teams argue that seven-time world champion Schumacher, 40, should be treated no differently to Spanish teenager Jaime Alguersuari, who replaced the sacked Sebastien Bourdais at Toro Rosso last month but was unable to track test his car before his F1 debut in Hungary.

"Just for the record, the Scuderia Ferrari had given its approval to let Alguersuari test, but it seems even in this instance someone decided to stick to the precise wording of the regulations," added Ferrari's statement.

Massa fractured his skull during qualifying for the Hungarian Grand Prix after he was struck on the helmet by a spring from Rubens Barrichello's Brawn GP car.

Schumacher is due to replace the Brazilian at the European Grand Prix in Valencia on 23 August, but has only had a chance to drive Ferrari's 2007 car, at the team's Mugello test track last Friday.

McLaren, Renault, Toyota, BMW Sauber and Brawn GP were all prepared to let Schumacher spend one day behind the wheel of the F60.

 

[niky]

Again... they could let the... y'know... maids trim the bushes...

 

[holl01]

Dude, what two drivers have ever driven the 'same' car. Within a given team at a given race the teams cars are set up quite differently apart from minor technical differences, you know driver set-up? Even the two F60's are or were different, the tubs, to allow one to use Kers and the other without. So we'll not likely see direct comparisons between drivers; who's better? Pointless. Don't confuse that with success... Massa's car will 'become' Schumacher's in the same manner. Now, Webber does appear to be 'on fire'. Enjoy!

I certainly am enjoying it! 8 years of boredom watching the little Aussie battler mix it with the top guys driving pieces of crap each week, and now this year its all coming together.

I knew these days would come, you only have to look at Webber's prefect record when comparing results against his team mates as an indication of Webber's talent, there was just one year, in '07 I believe, where his team mate in Coultard, out pointed Mark by a solitary increment, mainly due to the Vettel colliding into Mark under safety car, at that stage Mark was looking the likely driver to win that gp, so there was 10 points down the drain.

 

[Bram Turismo]

All three teams argue that seven-time world champion Schumacher, 40, should be treated no differently to Spanish teenager Jaime Alguersuari, who replaced the sacked Sebastien Bourdais at Toro Rosso last month but was unable to track test his car before his F1 debut in Hungary.

Democracy FTW!

 

[Radracing]

Besides, I'm sure WF1/RB/TR are also thinking that Ferrari could very well use the test to try out new parts.

I think this is the most sticking point why they didn't allow Micheal S.

 

[mafia_boy]

You all know what's going to happen on the Friday before the race, Schuey will be the first one on circuit and the last one off the circuit and run as many laps as possible to get himself acclimatised to the F60. I wouldn't be surprised if you saw him make about 20-30 laps or possibly even a full GP distance in practice just so he can get his 'testing' done that he's been banned from doing.

It won't hold Schuey back, he's too good of a driver to let it.

 

[Peter]

Alguersuari did over 40 laps in his first practice.

 

[NISM0_SKYLINE]

Looks like Schumacher has a problem with his neck. Doesn't look like it bothers him to much but the FIA hasn't said anything about how they feel yet.

Michael Schumacher's return to Formula One could be in jeopardy due to a neck injury the seven-time World Champion sustained while testing a motorcycle in Spain earlier this year.

http://www.autoblog.com/2009/08/05/report-schumachers-neck-could-stifle-comeback/

 

[SUPER NUMBBER]

It won't hold Schuey back, he's too good of a driver to let it.

I think that's the point; if he really is that good of a driver he shouldn't need much practice.

 

[Max_DC]

Schumacher WILL NOT come back to F1.

It's official. The neck injury is too severe. Michael confirms that on his own homepage.

source(German)
Schumacher offical homepage english

 

[Holdenhsvgtsr]

Schumacher won't drive massa's car

Michael Schumacher has had to cancel his Formula 1 comeback as a result of the neck injuries he suffered in a motorcycle racing crash earlier this year.

In a statement issued on his website, Schumacher said that he informed the team last night he was not fit enough to race.

"Yesterday evening, I had to inform Ferrari president Luca di Montezemolo and team principal Stefano Domenicali that unfortunately I'm not able to step in for Felipe," he said.

"I really tried everything to make that temporary comeback possible, however, much to my regret it didn't work out. Unfortunately we did not manage to get a grip on the pain in the neck which occurred after the private F1-day in Mugello, even if medically or therapeutically we tried everything possible."

Schumacher suffered a sizeable accident during a German superbike test at Cartagena in Spain on February 11 - which forced him to abandon entering motorcycle races. It had been hoped that the injuries he suffered in that crash would not impact on his F1 return, but medical examinations have indicated that problems remain.

"The consequences of the injuries caused by the bike-accident in February, fractures in the area of head and neck, unfortunately have turned out to be still too severe," added Schumacher.

"That is why my neck cannot stand the extreme stresses caused by Formula 1 yet. These are the clear results of the examinations we did on the course of the past two weeks and the final examination yesterday afternoon.

"As there were no improvements after the day in Mugello, I decided at short notice on Sunday to do that thorough examination already yesterday.

"I am disappointed to the core. I am awfully sorry for the guys of Ferrari and for all the fans which crossed fingers for me. I can only repeat that I tried everything that was within my power. All I can do now is to keep my fingers crossed for the whole team for the coming races."

Schumacher had been due to test an F2007 at Mugello in Italy from today, but there is now little reason for him to see through with that running.

It is not clear who Ferrari will now slot in as the replacement for the injured Felipe Massa, with the team having little more than one week to find a suitable driver.

 

[niky]

Wow... tree'd... even before I posted.

Damn shame... and that possibly rules out any return within the next few races...

 

[Touring Mars]

Shame, it would have been great to see how Schumi measured up against the Class of 2009, but I doubt we will see that happen now. I bet many of the drivers - Vettel, Hamilton etc. - will be absolutely gutted to miss the chance to race Schumacher too.

 

[Tired Tyres]

I think he's making an excuse to get out of the race for no other reason that he can't get a proper test in this years car and he doesn't want to look slower than Kimi.

 

[daan]

Michael's neck injury was known to him and Ferrari. Surely they should have checked that out as a priority as they have now wasted a fortnight on getting him ready to race when he now can't. It sems to me that they had too much of a blinkered view (must pick Michael. Must ignore Badoer/Gene) right form the start.

They surely must now pick Gene (as they should have done at the start). They don't really have time to get anyone else.

 

[ASH32]

Michael's neck injury was known to him and Ferrari. Surely they should have checked that out as a priority as they have now wasted a fortnight on getting him ready to race when he now can't. It sems to me that they had too much of a blinkered view (must pick Michael. Must ignore Badoer/Gene) right form the start.

They surely must now pick Gene (as they should have done at the start). They don't really have time to get anyone else.

Apparantly they are now going with Badoer, i'll see if I can find a source. I heard it on the radio.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport/

It is on the news ticker here, so it seems to be true.