Ferrari have confirmed that if Michael Schumacher wanted to return to racing with another team, they would not stand in his way. The seven-time World Champion has been a consultant with the Italian team since retiring from racing in 2006, but there are rumours that he is being lined up by newly-branded, Mercedes GP.
Ferrari chief Luca di Montezemolo said: “If he takes another road, our agreement will no longer be valid. You can’t work with a competitor and with us at the same time.”
“I still haven’t spoken to him about it. He is only a dear friend, not a team member. He is a consultant for our road cars,” Montezemolo added.
Schumacher was on course to return to the cockpit last season, he was due to replace the injured Felipe Massa, who fractured his skull during the Hungarian Grand Prix weekend. However, he was advised not to return by medical experts after it emerged that the German hadn’t recovered from a neck injury he sustained earlier this year.
A potential move to Mercedes would be a sensational swoop for the German team, who have had a mixed off-season so far. Newly crowned World Champion, Jenson Button has moved on to McLaren, whilst Rubens Barrichello signed for Williams. However, Mercedes have had some good news to report too – they bought out former team, Brawn GP and have signed Nico Rosberg to drive one of their cars.
It is understood that vice-President of Mercedes-Benz, Norbert Haug, wants an all-German dream-team. And, if the reports are to be believed, he may get his wish very soon.
Another German has been linked with the second drive at Mercedes, Nick Heidfeld. The former BMW driver has been linked with the team for months now, and is keen on a move to the team. Yesterday he said: “It is my plan for the future and my objective to once again enjoy success with Mercedes.”
The fact that Heidfeld hasn’t signed yet suggests that Mercedes are waiting for news on Schumacher before making advances elsewhere. Heidfeld has also been linked to Sauber, who bought out BMW in November. He would effectively be returning to he team he has raced for since 2006.
Schumacher is the front-runner for the drive at Mercedes though, and if he was to return to the cockpit in 2010, he would be challenging World Champions Jenson Button and Lewis Hamilton from McLaren, as well as Fernando Alonso from Ferrari. Having four World Champions on the grid next season would be a mouth-watering prospect.
