Commentary

Formula 1

Merc axe after 'long reflection' for Schumacher - Haug

GMM

Edited: Oct 3, 2012, 12:58 PM

Copy link

Share on Viber

Add as a preferred source

Michael Schumacher, Mercedes GP

Oct.3 (GMM) Responding to 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".

The German marque has poached Lewis Hamilton from McLaren, teaming him with Nico Rosberg for 2013 and beyond.

Michael has had a long period of reflection and was not definitively sure whether he wanted to go on or not.

Norbert Haug

Former driver and German-language television pundit Christian Danner told DAPD news agency 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 Mercedes had dropped Schumacher.

"Hamilton is definitely one of the fastest Formula One drivers, but for me he lacks the consistency.

"I don't think Mercedes has done itself a favour," he added.

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 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.

But he 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.

Dr. Dieter Zetsche, Daimler AG CEO

Photo by: xpb.cc

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 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 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. Everything 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."

We want your opinion!

What would you like to see on Motorsport.com?

Take our 5 minute survey.

- The Motorsport.com Team

Read and post comments

Share Or Save This Story

Copy link

Share on Viber

Previous article Mercedes's Schumacher with motivation intact for Japanese GP

Next article New 'flexi wing' saga emerging in F1 - report

Top Comments

There are no comments at the moment. Would you like to write one?

View More & Comment

Latest news

Jorge Martin passed fit to practice at Qatar Grand Prix

MotoGP

MGP MotoGP

Qatar GP

1 h

Jorge Martin passed fit to practice at Qatar Grand Prix

Pedro Acosta signs Monster as personal sponsor

MotoGP

MGP MotoGP

Qatar GP

1 h

Pedro Acosta signs Monster as personal sponsor

How young can a Formula 1 world champion actually be?

Formula 1

F1 Formula 1 1 h

How young can a Formula 1 world champion actually be?

Sebastien Ogier tipped for partial WRC 2027 programme

WRC

WRC WRC 3 h

Sebastien Ogier tipped for partial WRC 2027 programme

Feature

Discover prime content

Why Ferrari must act now after its own 'Papaya Rules' moment

Formula 1

Mexican GP

By Filip Cleeren

Why Ferrari must act now after its own 'Papaya Rules' moment

Top 10 F1 cars of the 1960s

Formula 1

By Kevin Turner

Top 10 F1 cars of the 1960s

How Ryo Hirakawa performed on his surprise F1 debut in Mexico

Formula 1

Mexican GP

By Jake Boxall-Legge

How Ryo Hirakawa performed on his surprise F1 debut in Mexico

Lewis Hamilton needs “serious talks” with himself and his team-mate

Formula 1

Mexican GP

By Stuart Codling

Lewis Hamilton needs “serious talks” with himself and his team-mate

Subscribe and access Motorsport.com with your ad-blocker.

From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.

You have 2 options:

Become a subscriber.
Disable your adblocker.

Subscribe now Already subscribed? Sign in here

Already disabled your adblocker?
Reload page

Manage Alerts