Rampant Rumors Over Schuey Press Conference
Written by George Katinger · August 31, 2004
What’s the buzz all about? With Michael Schumacher’s self called press conference this coming Wednesday, are we in for a momentous announcement?
f1racing.net: Schumi calls press conference on Wednesday
f1racing.net: Ferrari to experiment in final races
eurosport.com: Todt: “Schumi won’t retire”
All the F1 world is hoping and praying that a totally domineering Michael Schumacher will announce his boredom with the competition and declare that ‘04 will be his last in F1. Riiiiight, and Rubens Barrichello races head to head with Michael ever since his arrival in Maranello! More than likely, Michael wishes to revel in his latest accomplishment as well as generate some press for the team.
Michael was very subdued at the Spa podium ceremony as well as the folowing press conference. Why? Probably because the spotlight wasn’t on him! Yes, he mouthed the expected platitudes about Kimi’s car and his race for the win, but he sure wasn’t happy, was he? With a press conference he and Ferrari will have center stage all to themselves, and successfully tout all of the teams achievements. Like we don’t know them by heart!
But wouldn’t it be startling if Ferrari acts on my tongue-in-cheek suggestion about sending Schumy off on holiday for the last four races and let a test driver fill the seat? That way Luca Badoer gets to play the loyal No. 2 driver and Rubens gets a win or two to satisfy his long supressed competitive urges. Let the man race his ass off and get the wins he so richly deserves.
The “tinkering” refered to in the second posted article may be opening the door to just that, as well as other team changes. A grand experiment to prepare for the upcoming McLaren 2005 onslaught of Raikkonen and Montoya. Maybe Ferrari have finally reached the end of their magnificent six year run, it sure is long over due, but some how I doubt it.
Tomorrows press conference will burst the buble of suspense.
Comments
8 Responses to “Rampant Rumors Over Schuey Press Conference”
Got something to say?
You must be logged in to post a comment.
Does this mean Rubens would also quit. I remember having a good laugh earlier in the season when Rubens announced he would retire when he could NO LONGER beat Michael Schumacher. I couldn’t help but think that by his criteria, he should have retired long ago. He has never been able to beat Michael. Yes, he’s beaten him (I was at Indy when the two supposedly tried to cross the finish line together after Michael controlled the entire race). But getting a win with Michael on the track is a bit different than being “able to beat him.”
If Michael stops racing (either a break or permanently - and I don’t believe it’s either), Rubens absolutely won’t be able to beat Michael. Using Rubens retiring criteria, maybe now he’ll have to quit.
I’ve just never really understood what RB meant by that comment. But I’m glad he did. I love to laugh.
So Michael calls a press conference for some unknown reason, knowing the speculation of retirement will guarantee a packed house with the entire world of F1 focused on him while sitting on the edge of their seats.
His annoucement: NOTHING! He said he still loves driving and will not retire - but had he not called the press conference, noone would be expecting him to retire. He’s already said a million times he’s not retiring. He simply said: I’m not retiring, I love my job and thanks to anyone who doesn’t think I expressed my “thank yous” in Belgium.
It was simply publicity that he doesn’t even need. He wasted our time and gave us nothing.
That’s arrogance.
How about Villeneuve to replace Schui? Not!
Jeff, I will finally concede your Jaques Villeneuve point, that he would be good to have back in F1. How about Bobbers comment, send JV to Ferrari to replace Rubens instead of MS.
Any chance of those two getting along? Only if Ferrari unleash any team order strategies and let them both go hammer and tongs at it! That would be the capstone to MS’s reputation, if he could beat a good racer on his own team, ala Prost and Senna. Not likely though is it? Oh well.
George, I agree that a Ferrari team with MS and JV would be GREAT (we don’t get those kinds of teammates anymore - as you mention Prost and Senna); I’m afraid it’s too good to be true. I think JV would love to go to Ferrari. MS enjoys his number 1 status however and has too much control at Ferrari. (I’m just stating this for the record - I’m sure you and most know this).
But speaking of JV (you opened the door), I’m starting to think his chances at BAR are very good. My reasoning:
WHO BENEFITS FROM WILLIAMS’ REFUSAL TO LODGE A BUTTON CONTRACT?
Recent news stories are reporting that while David Richards and BAR, having lodged their Button contract ages ago, are expecting some kind of resolution before the next Grand Prix, Frank Williams and Williams-BMW have not yet even lodged a contract. The CRB requires that contracts be lodged upon execution. It leaves one to assume that Williams is not yet happy with a final contract and is still trying to put it in the best legal light before handing it to any outside body. It is also believed that Williams is going to ignore the Concorde rule that requires disputes of this type to be resolved by the CRB; instead he’ll go straight to the English Courts. Estimates are that the Courts cannot resolve the issue before late December, if then.
The whole reason for establishing the CRB was to avoid long, drawn out disputes. Frank apparently does not feel obligated to either use the CRB or to resolve the Button issue timely.
So why is Frank Williams unable to produce a contract and what does he expect to gain by the delay? Frank, upon “signing” Button told us that all of his and Button’s legal advisors were certain the BAR option was not proper when exercised; Williams was therefore justified in signing Button to their team. Frank himself was most confident, stating that the issues were clear and Button now belongs to Williams-BMW. However, if this is the case, why is it they’re unable or unwilling to produce a contract to the CRB. If it’s clear, lodge it with the CRB and be done with it. The CRB will rule in Frank’s favor. Well
Jeff, the reason Williams may not have filed a contract can be their belief that a valid contract already exists and has been previously filed in 2002. See the link.
http://www.grandprix.com/ns/ns13335.html
Rather than writing a new contract which would be subject to filing with the CRB, they may be acting under the provisions of their EXISTING contract and merely amending the compensation to suit the new realities.
Now wouldn’t that be a brilliant way of addressing Frank’s problem and sticking it to BAR at the same time?
George, You raise a good point - however, what Williams had with Button was: “
Home of F1: “Montoya, 28, was amused to read a transcript of a Schumacher news conference last week at Monza. ‘He talked about … nothing!’
Juan added: ‘I guess they needed more press coverage.
I love it when JPM agrees with me.