Nobody saw this one coming. Not even low-res images of Max Moseley’s little S&M spank-a-thon raised as many eyebrows as did the news of Michael Schumacher’s return. Even in Germany.
Two crucial questions need to be asked. Why did Ferrari ask him? And why did he say yes? On the face of it, the decision seems a risky one for both parties. In the wake of Felipe Massa’s dreadful accident and the unlikelihood of him returning to F1 this season, surely the Scuderia should’ve chosen one of its test drivers to fill his seat? They know the Ferrari F60 backwards and have spent many hours testing it. And wouldn’t a return, after three years, at age 40, in an unfamiliar car and at such short notice, equate to a way-below-par Schumi performance… and a large dent in his legacy?
No — and here’s why.
From Ferrari’s point of view, a simple process of elimination made it clear the German was the man for the job. Despite the hours logged testing the F60, Ferrari test drivers Luka Badoer and Marc Gene don’t have that many actual F1 races on their CVs. Badoer, for example, last started a race in 1999 and, although Gene might’ve won Le Mans last year, he has never really impressed in his F1 appearances.
Then what about poaching someone from another team? Renault’s Fernando Alonso has been linked with Maranello for a few years now and it seems likely he will replace Kimi Raikkonen there in 2010. Surely pressure could’ve been brought to bear to bring that date forward? Ferrari have the euros and Renault team principal Flavio Briatore would find it difficult to hang on to his charge given that embarrassing front-wheel awol incident at the last GP — and Renault’s subsequent one-race ban.
All very possible. But there’s a fundamental ethos at Maranello that has been a cornerstone of the team’s psyche since they began racing. Simply put, it’s this: ”If you get injured driving a Ferrari F1 car, we will keep your seat until you return.” In other words, it’s a temporary gig for anyone taking over Massa’s seat. That cancels out the likes of Alonso… and sees one man emerge from dry ice smoke effect — Michael Schumacher.
Despite being off the grid for three years Schumi has shown he still has the chops, whipping a host of F1 stars at a charity karting event earlier this year and setting some competitive times testing for Ferrari in the off season. Also, the 2009 F1 cars, with their slicks and old-school aerodynamics, won’t be unfamiliar to him — remember, Schumi spent the first six seasons of his career driving an F1 of this ilk. The F60 could be like reacquainting himself with an old friend.
The man is also a great motivator. Teams galvanise around him — he was instrumental in forging hugely successful collaborations at both Benetton and Ferrari. Team boss Stefano Domenicali knows that weird Finn in the other car often needs a little ”encouragement” to keep him competitive. No doubt Schumacher can do that. You can bet money on there being an extra schprung in everyone’s step in Maranello.
And why did Schumi say yes?
It’s a win-win situation for him. It’s heroically Lance Armstrongesque. No one really expects the guy to make the podium, especially at Valencia, a circuit he’s never driven before. Therefore, as the heroic rescuer-mentor, he only gets to add to his legacy. And, as he no doubt knows, it’s also a legacy that could do with a little assistance. He might own every significant record in the sport, but the ruthlessness with which he achieved those milestones hasn’t exactly left everyone with a warm fuzzy feeling. This will change that perception.
Finally, remember too that Schumacher is one canny German. He will know that improvements to the F60 have finally turned it into a car capable of making the podium. Raikkonen’s second place at the Hungarian Grand Prix proved that. He will also know that the race after Valencia is at Spa, a circuit around which he proved unbeatable. Can you imagine if he won?
As it stands, question marks around a neck injury sustained racing a motorbike a few months back are the only thing that could spike a dramatic and celebrated comeback. Given a clean bill of health, don’t be surprised if, once again, you see Schumacher and his red overalls on an F1 podium.