Schumi to return to F1

[Le Petit Crab Dejeuner]

Hopefully there's at least one other F1 nerd on here ;) but I was excited to hear about Michael Schumacher's return to F1 to fill in until Massa is well enough to race again.

Reports seem to say Schumacher experienced muscle fatigue when he had a go in the 2007 car, though that may not be a surprise given his last run in an F1 car was 18 months ago.

What do peeps think is going to happen at the Valencia race in 3 weeks time?

On one hand Schumacher hasn't raced in F1 for two and a half years and doesn't know the Valencia circuit. Yet that circuit is fairly new to the F1 calendar so it's not like any driver has extensive experience there.

Alonso may have proved a threat given it's his home crowd though at the moment Renault are still suspended (appeal on 17 Aug) from that race for the loose wheel incident.

I think Schumacher has a chance to win here. Given that Raikkonen came 2nd last week I think it shows that Ferrari, like McLaren, are finally getting to grips with the new regulations and building a competitive car. Also he's due to get a day's testing in the 2009 car (depends on the FOTA members and FIA giving permission as testing outside the Friday sessions is banned this season).

I'll shut up now and see how many closet F1 fans are hiding around here :p

[Jax]

I haven't kept up with the Schumi story only that he was filling in for Massa for the season, which is effectively being prepared to put his life on the line in support of Massa in a way (or has he had a change of heart and wants to come back??). It's also a massive chance for Hamilton to get the opportunity to race against such a steely opponent..............I can't wait to see it pan out.

So do you know how the technicalities will work..................does Schumi give the points he may win to Massa, and Massa gets the trophy at the end, because if they are given to Schumacher then neither driver could contest a top 5 place by this stage surely?? Can you tell I'm confused ;)

[Le Petit Crab Dejeuner]

So do you know how the technicalities will work..................does Schumi give the points he may win to Massa, and Massa gets the trophy at the end, because if they are given to Schumacher then neither driver could contest a top 5 place by this stage surely?? Can you tell I'm confused ;)

Yikes, talk about an F1 nerd... :p that's a PROPER question :o I don't know for sure, though as a guess I'd say as each driver 'earns' their own points they wouldn't be transferable unless FOTA and the FIA allow them to transfer the points like they've allowed him to test this year's car outside the rules.

Though do you think this could make or break Schumacher as some are saying?

I get the feeling with all his championships and wins this won't really affect that legacy (well not much, if at all)... though it all depends on those pesky media types :rolleyes: (Le Petit Crab Dejeuner doesn't like journalists)

[Jax]

F1 nerd??? :eek::eek: LOL I don't know about that, although I would say my youngest is!!! I don't know why but it was my immediate question after 'wow that's brave putting your life on the line for somebody else' :o

If the points aren't transferable then I don't understand the impetus for Schumi to 'race for Massa' IYSWIM :confused: IS he literally doing it for the team? As that would then make sense and he should actually say 'for Massa but also the Team'??

Make or break him??.....hmmm well the cynic in me says that this is a win win for Schumi, cos if it all goes pear shape (apparently his fitness didn't hold up in the newer cars in 2007) he can say he was just helping a fellow countryman out, and if it goes well..............smooooth transition back into F1 and then he just needs to say "well I enjoyed it so much and wanted to come back!!" ;);)

Either way it makes for interesting viewing and I can't wait to see how it pans out this year, expecially with Hamilton back up the top, AND with Button still up there...............I don't think (and I'm not a nerd so could be corrected here) there's ever been two Brits at the top 2 years running and it's blummin FAB to see ;)

[Sam]

Hopefully there's at least one other F1 nerd on here ;) :p

Yes there's me! You dont get away from me that easily Crabby ;) he thinks he rules the roost now he's snuck away to another forum :D

[Sam]

ah Sav I think you forgot the little point about what he's gonna get paid for standing in, after all he only gets a poorly £3m for his role as technical advisor, poor thing must be skint!

Actually I love Schuey and i think this might be the boot up the arse that Raikkonen needs but it could either make or break the team though

[Le Petit Crab Dejeuner]

Oh no!! Who invited Sam? :rolleyes: :p

(quickly puts on body armour :eek:)

Agreed it's a win-win for Schumacher, if he does well it'll be because he's an amazing world-class driver, if he doesn't get a win/good position it'll be because of all the regulation changes, or his motorcycle accident or the fact he's been out of it and his fitness is down.

I know that sounds like I don't like Schumi but I really do and can't wait to see him in the action, but I'm just thinking about what sort of comments will follow the race results.

As for two Brits at the top, I'm STILL waiting to see the two of them on the podium together (just once - that's all this humble crab asks) :o

Honestly, first Hamilton sits around at the back of the field in a car that doesn't work at all, then when it does start to work properly, Button's car starts being a pile of poo.

Button did well in the triathlon though didn't he! :cool:

[Jax]

And you're right a LOT of it will depend on how the media decide to portray him :rolleyes::rolleyes::rolleyes:

Oh and for the record I like Schumacher too, just not as much as Hamilton or Button or Webber :D

[Sam]

I've met Mark Webber, he's a really nice chap!

[Le Petit Crab Dejeuner]

Red Bull, Toro Rosso and Williams have blocked Schumacher's bid to test in the 2009 car... they have a decent point about Jamie Alguersuari...

[Jax]

Sam you are very jammy!! :648:

OOOOOOOOO Crabby I haven't seen any of that, keep us posted :808:

[Sam]

not that jammy, just like to put myself in the right place at the right times lol. I was at the autosport show at Birmingham NEC in Jan 08 and we arrived just as he was being interviewed on the main stage. He was so nice he took questions from the audience at the end and then came down from the stage and shook hands with as many people as he could - he was down there for ages chatting and doing autographs! Just before he got to us I looked up and on the top of the stage area is a gallery (dont know if you've ever been there?) and as I looked Jensen Button and his dad were up there with David Coulthard. I've met DC before (the previous year) and Jonah was really chuffed to get his picture done with Johnny Herbet and Mark Blundell. I;ve met just about all of the touring car drivers coz we always go to Oulton park and sometimes Silverstone and we always go down to the paddock. Tom and Max Chilton always say hello (and we've met their mum n dad lol!) and Tom onslow-cole is lovely too! Plato is a bit of an arse though lol

[Jax]

Ah it's no go for Schumi then :( I was really looking foward to that!

But I for one know that 6 months isn't long enough to get over his type of injury! :rolleyes:

Link here! (http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/motorsport/formula_one/8186319.stm)

[Jax]

YAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAY :rockon::rockon::whoo::whoo::whoo:Way to go Jenson!!!

[Sasta]

A very dramatic race there, but well done Jensen
:victory: