Michael Schumacher got back behind the wheel of an F1 car on Friday, driving an F2007 at Mugello.
After subitting a request to the other teams, Ferrari have been given permission to run an F60 for one day’s testing so Schumacher can acclimatise. I’m surpriused they’ve allowed them, but I think it shows a commendable attitude to sportsmanship.
Video of Schumacher driving the F2007 at Mugello in Italy.
FOTA Teams Allow Schu To Test F60
"FOTA Vice-Chairman and Toyota F1 boss John Howett told SPEEDtv.com: ‘I believe all FOTA teams have agreed to accept their request. The situation for Felipe is very unfortunate, and this is a sporting gesture which we are confident Ferrari will respect.’" An unbelievably sporting gesture. They'll be regretting that if he walks all over them at Valencia.
"I’ve got people worldwide that trust me and they know that if I say something, I’ll do it. And that’s why they rely on me to do it. I’m as good as my word. And that’s where I’ve got the luck at getting people to do things, and they say if I say something they generally follow. But when you say “remove,” you know, nobody can remove me – except the shareholders in the company, but they seem quite happy." I wonder how many other 79 year-old business leaders don't have succession plans.
Rossi, Gutierrez get BMW F1 test
"The BMW Sauber team will test former Formula BMW drivers Alexander Rossi and Esteban Gutierrez in December, the F1 team has confirmed." Good to hear they're keeping that up – both are promising drivers.
"This is what [Schumacher] will inject back into his sport, even at an age when it might be wiser to be trundling around on a mobility cart." What, 40?
Kimi will consider WRC switch for 2011
"I am still in F1 and have another year on my contract with Ferrari but after that everything is open. I always enjoy rallying and it’s nice to be part of it here."
Mark Webber commemorative victory stamps on sale in Australia.
"I have a sneaky feeling that current F2 superstar Natacha Gachnang will fill the second spot. That’s right, a lady in F1. She drove for Campos in F3 last year, and is destroying everyone in F2 this season – coming 1, 2, 1, 2, 1, 2, 1, 2 so far!
[From the comments:]
Jamie, I guess you have checked Natacha Gachnang in Wikipedia. Sorry to disappoint you, but she is not destroying anyone. 1,2,1,2, etc. refer to the first and the second race, as there are two races per GP in Formula 2. The results are below, in small numbers. Her best result this year has been 11th and she has retired in two races." via BritsOnPole on Twitter
These are links I’ve bookmarked using Delicious. You can see my Delicious profile here.
Matt
1st August 2009, 2:25
I was quite surprised the teams allowed him to test the F60 but the fia have to agree aswell.
Brian
1st August 2009, 2:26
From that, he looks like he still has it.
Pradeek
1st August 2009, 3:42
lol
StrFerrari4Ever
1st August 2009, 5:00
Yeah I was thinking the same thing he was showing everyone I’m still the Master and if he gets time to familiarise himself with the F60 then come Valencia if Ferrari continue to improve he could be up there & will Ferrari be allowed to run a bang up to date F60 to get data and so forth? And haha the Natacha bit made me chuckle I first thought hang on she should be hot news if she’s 1st or second every race ;)
christopher
1st August 2009, 11:44
i wonder if same sporting gesture would be made if Ferrari were leading the constructors championship? my guess is no
Andy
1st August 2009, 12:58
I predict Schumi on pole at Valencia.. Anyone?
1994fanatic
1st August 2009, 13:20
Barrichello will show him up.. He’s got reserve springs, that was bad I know, my wife will beat me tonite for that, just don’t tell her I enjoy it;> Has anybody else noticed some similarities between lance armstrong and m schumacher
Tom L
2nd August 2009, 18:18
Bad taste.
Keith Collantine (@keithcollantine)
2nd August 2009, 19:54
Not sure I’d back him to take pole, but if he qualifies in the top five, with KERS, I’d put my money on him leading at the end of lap one…
Stephen Higgins
1st August 2009, 15:06
So it’s okay for Schumi to be allowed a test to ‘re-accilmatise’, but Jamie Alguasari had to just jump in and go …
… nothing to do with the fact MS is twice JA’s age ??
Damon
1st August 2009, 15:37
No, Schumi has to jump for Massa because of the unfortunate circumstances, whereas Torro Rosso have willingly given the ride to an inexperienced driver, even though they had a competent driver in Bourdais.
Damon
1st August 2009, 15:44
Therefore Torro Rosso didn’t deserve any testing, because it was their decision to put themselves in that situation.
Brian
1st August 2009, 16:03
I still say that Keith should have a countdown to Schumi clock.
Gman
1st August 2009, 21:00
So Bernie will be in new York this weekend…..putting the finishing touches on a new USGP deal perhaps ? ;)
Wishful thinking, but someday very soon hopefully!
Also very good to see Rossi and Esteban get their well-earned BMW tests…I just don’t know how much of an impact it will have on their futures now that the team is leaving the sport.
HounslowBusGarage
2nd August 2009, 20:37
Hilarious stupidity at “Musical Chairs”. Worth a read.
Samuel
3rd August 2009, 11:13
If i was Farraris test driver i would walk. he has had much more track time than shui.
John
3rd August 2009, 23:28
Ferraris’ test driver should walk?!!? are you kidding me? Luca Badoer last drove in F1 for Minardi in 1999, he wasnt much cop then, thats why he is a test driver now because he wasnt impressive enough to get a seat anywhere else. There is noone better than Schumacher to step back into the car and whilst I think he’ll be unlikely to win the first race or get on pole, i think he has a very real chance of winning a race by the end of the season. He is unquestionably the finest F1 driver of all time, and successful at a time when only the best drivers got (get) into F1 cars and when the limit is so much faster and more perilous than ever before. Supreme judgement always from the GOAT. (And this is coming from a Damon Hill fan) Schumacher is a legend, good luck to him.
John H
3rd August 2009, 19:01
Seems like that sportsmanship is not quite there:
to quote Dietrich Mateschitz:
“We asked for a test permission for Alguersuari before the Hungarian GP and it was turned down,” said Mateschitz. “So why should we approve an exemption for a seven-time-champion after this?
It’s easy to say well, this is because Massa was injured and you chose to sack Bourdais, however Ferrari could have put in one of their test drivers instead quite easily – a point Williams have made and I agree with.
Yes it’s Schumacher, but if we ask for consistency with stewards, then the teams should also persue consistency with the sporting regulations themselves.
Austin
3rd August 2009, 20:13
According to autosport Williams, Red Bull and Toro Rosso are opposed to Schumacher testing the F60 for one day.
“While we welcome Michael Schumacher back to Formula 1, the fact is that any form of in-season circuit testing is strictly prohibited; a regulation clearly laid out by the FIA and adhered to by all of the teams,” said team boss Frank Williams. Link to autosport article
“We asked for a test permission for Alguersuari before the Hungarian GP and it was turned down,” said Mateschitz. “So why should we approve an exemption for a seven-time-champion after this? Link to autosport article
But according to Norbet Haug, Toro Rosso never asked for test permission. Has Haug got his facts wrong or Mateschitz telling lie’s. Link to autosport article