Ralf Schumacher Confirmed at Toyota
Written by Josh Katinger · July 7, 2004
In what should come as a surprise to no one, Toyota today confirmed that it has signed a three-year contract with Ralf Schumacher drive for the team starting in 2005.
F1Live.com: Ralf Schumacher confirmed at Toyota
F1Racing.net: Official: Toyota signs three-year deal with Ralf
PlanetF1.com: Toyota confirm Ralf for 2005
“It is with pleasure that we can announce Ralf as one of Toyota’s race drivers for the 2005 season,” stated Toyota Racing Team Principal Tsutomu Tomita. “He has proven himself to be an extremely quick racing driver in his career, and I am sure that his vast experience will be extremely beneficial to our team.”
I have no doubt that Toyota will benefit from Ralf’s experience, but here is the real question: will Toyota be beneficial to Ralf? Look at how long it took BAR to become a competitive team…and look at what sticking with them through their “formative years” did to Villeneuve’s career. I don’t think Toyota will have any significant success for another two seasons. If Ralf keeps hurting himself, his career will be over long before that time.
Toyota has yet to determine who will partner Ralf next season however existing Toyota drivers Cristiano da Matta and Olivier Panis are said to both be under consideration for the job.
Ralf’s move to Toyota opens up the F1 “silly season” as drivers now begin to jockey for race seats next season. The two biggest holes right now are the two empty 2005 seats at Williams. Mark Webber has been a favorite to fill one seat, which then in turn opens up a slot a Jaguar….and let the fun begin!
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I would be willing to bet a large sum that Ralf was signed prior to his Indy accident. No one in their right mind would sign Ralf now, until he could prove his ability to perform, physicaly and pyschologicaly. It took Ralf several races after his Imola wreck to regain his confidence. No way of absolutely knowing for sure. BIG risk on Toyotas’s part!!
Ralf will kick butt with Toyota! I wasn’t too much of a fan until I read a recent interview with Reuters where he dispelled rumors put out by Patrick Head that he should take time off due to alleged disorientation from last year’s Monza accident and his current situation. It was also very impressive to see that he didn’t raise a stink about the Indy doctors’ failure to detect his spinal fractures. That took courage and understanding, two things as rare as they are admirable. I’m sure the Reuters reporter was prodding him for anything negative about the U.S.
I drive a Lexus and any company which can build a car like that can win grands prix. They just need a driver and I’m sure Ralf will be tops!