[LM24] Schumacher back at Le Mans?

[rblanshard]

http://f1.racing-live.com/f1/en/head...19102459.shtml

How sweet would that be? MS behind the wheel of a R10.

[Fogelhund]

Originally Posted by rblanshard

http://f1.racing-live.com/f1/en/head...19102459.shtml

How sweet would that be? MS behind the wheel of a R10.

The exposure to Audi would be excellent, so that is where this value of $12.5 million would be, as certainly he isn't worth multiples of the other drivers, purely as a driver.

[gwyllion]

I hope Audi spend those $12.5 M on something else: more cars with new younger drivers or perhaps adding a roof on the R10

[Erki]

Nothing new for him, just 16 GPs in a row, a bit of night racing and sharing a car. He has already got used to all tactics aspects while driving in F1

[Flat12-Aircool]

I can certainly see him doing Le Mans next year, but other than that I think DTM is going to be unwanted hassle.

He obviously wants to take a "sabatical" from racing for a while, so commitments with Ferrari and maybe a weeks worth of racing at Le Mans will probably suffice for next season.

[jhansen]

Originally Posted by gwyllion

I hope Audi spend those $12.5 M on something else: more cars with new younger drivers or perhaps adding a roof on the R10

I'm of two minds on this. Should he accept, the exposure for Audi would be good, so I can understand that. Furthermore, exposure for Le Mans and sportscar racing in general would be very good. These are all positives.

On the other hand, I'd love to see Audi spread that kind of money out by adding more cars to grids in the ALMS and LMS. And to also attract new and different drivers to the Audi fold.

But Mr. Schumacher has not talked of Le Mans favorably in the past. He finds it dangerous. He's also of the mind that F1 is the top, so why step back. In all honesty, I'd be surprised if he did it. Would be fascinating though.

[Mal]

Schumacher has already talked of a role within Ferrari so I cant see them allowing Audi that sort of publicity especially when the Audi group is now beginning to compete in Ferrari territory with the R8 road car and the Buggatti Veyron - beside he has so much influence at Ferrari if he wanted to do Le Mans he could probably persuade them to build a car for it as he could generate enough sponsorship money to fund a programme!

[rcarr]

I'd rather see him in a Mercedes Benz sports prototype again!

[2112]

Did he not express concern over safety at LeMans (and ovals) in a interview?

[luke]

Wow. I hope it happens. But wouldn't it conflict with his plans with Ferrari as he will be involved with them in some sort of role in 2007?

[rblanshard]

Originally Posted by jhansen

I'm of two minds on this. Should he accept, the exposure for Audi would be good, so I can understand that. Furthermore, exposure for Le Mans and sportscar racing in general would be very good. These are all positives.

On the other hand, I'd love to see Audi spread that kind of money out by adding more cars to grids in the ALMS and LMS. And to also attract new and different drivers to the Audi fold.

I couldn't agree with you more on both of these points. While I'd love to see Michael at Le Mans, I'd rather see the funds diverted into the racing program into either further development of the R10 and/or customer cars.

[Silk Cut Jaguar]

I expect Shell have a hand in this as they were the ones who bankrolled Schumacher's massive Ferrari salary, if I remember right.

Schumi in a Ferrari promoting their petrol and in an R10 for the diesel adverts?

It's a shakey connection at best but the Shell speculation is the only thing I can think of that ties the two groups together.

[touringlegend]

That does make sense the Shell link.


However it's not as if he needs the money, and the urge to race will probably only bother him after a few years, so I'd say there's not much chance of seeing him race again until the end of the decade. Look at Mika Hakkinen, he took time out altogether before heading for the DTM.

[Truckosaurus]

Originally Posted by Silk Cut Jaguar

I expect Shell have a hand in this

That does make the most sense, like the Loeb/Playstation link of recent years.

It wouldn't surprise me if MS raced in an LMS or ALMS race in a Shell sponsored vehicle (or even a GT class Fezza).

[zac510]

Originally Posted by Mal

Schumacher has already talked of a role within Ferrari

'bout time they got back into Sportscars

[chocmonster7]

In June 2005 MS was quoted as saying:-

"I don't feel attracted very much to it, mainly due to the level of safety that is on that circuit."

http://www.crash.net/news_View~t~Sch...~id~113101.htm

[The Badger]

I would hate to see Schumacher in sportscars for that kinda money . For a normal wage ok , but thats just too much .

[FIRE]

Isn't this PR talk from Audi? By spreading such rumours the Audi LM project and DTM series both get media attention.

[Flat12-Aircool]

Originally Posted by chocmonster7

In June 2005 MS was quoted as saying:-

"I don't feel attracted very much to it, mainly due to the level of safety that is on that circuit."

http://www.crash.net/news_View~t~Sch...~id~113101.htm

I remember that quote as well, but there's been quite a few changes since then.

The circuit has been reprofiled slighly in places, even Tertre Rouge is going to have more run-off next year. Plus all the cars now have the regulated under tray etc.

I think he'll do Le Mans but perhaps next year is too soon for him, we'll have to see. But I can't see somebody as good as him not getting back into a Race car at some point.

[prototype]

Originally Posted by chocmonster7

In June 2005 MS was quoted as saying:-

"I don't feel attracted very much to it, mainly due to the level of safety that is on that circuit."

http://www.crash.net/news_View~t~Sch...~id~113101.htm

I find it just as interesting that Schumacher doesn't believe in the long term viability of Le Mans.

"It is a question of if Le Mans still exists then!"

[Satorian]

I don't think MS likes the idea of sharing a car and having his success depend on another driver very much.
But if he returns to some form of racing in the future, I'm sure it'll be in a Ferrari, because Ferrari feels like family to him by now and other teams' money doesn't tempt him.

[Suze]

I'd love to see him at LM and reckon he could be tempted, just maybe not for a few years.

[Down F0rce]

Ferrari will be paying him a hell of a lot more than that not to race.

[Pilgrimage]

Originally Posted by Satorian

I don't think MS likes the idea of sharing a car and having his success depend on another driver very much.

Funny - that's probably not Barrichello and Massa's view!

[Satorian]

Haha, you could see it this way round.
But, team orders and championship points aside, I don't think he really liked those occasions.

And I have to say that a potential Ferrari LMP1 or GT1 with Schumacher/Raikonnen/Massa would be quite a spectacle. Can't blame series or teams to try and become affiliated with Schumacher. Any series with him would become an instant TV hit for at least two seasons and it might just be what LMS/Le Mans need for more public exposure.