Webber wants Schumacher to stay

Despite Michael Schumacher denying it on a regular basis, there has been a lot of speculation that the German may decide to quit Formula One now he has won a record-breaking six titles. It seems unlikely that Schumacher is ready to hang up his helmet just yet and Jaguar's Mark Webber, for one, thinks the sport still needs the reigning champion.

"The guy just never gives up and makes other drivers look ordinary because he doesn't make mistakes," Webber told his team website, in regard to Schumacher. "He's a real professional and I think it's important that he continues to race in Formula One because I don't think the sport is ready for him to leave. If he were to go there are only a few guys who would be able to establish themselves. It's too early for him to leave us."

Schumacher had a hard fight in 2003 to claim title number six, as other teams had improved their performance and drivers such as McLaren's Kimi Raikkonen and Williams' Juan Pablo Montoya challenged for the championship. Michael had his fair share of good and bad luck and Webber thinks at the end of the season, the best man won.

"It's absolutely phenomenal what he's done," the Australian said. "He had a very lucky break at the Nurburgring when he was pushed into the gravel and Kimi (Raikkonen) blew up. But he was also very unlucky at Hockenheim and Budapest where he was stuck behind Jarno (Trulli) so it all evens out and he fully deserved to win the title."

Schumacher himself is a little exasperated that people continuously ask him if he's going to retire. "I keep on making clear statements but some people struggle to understand that no, no, I'm not thinking about it at all," he remarked recently.

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