FORUMula1.com - F1 Forum

[racechick]

Speculation by an F1 writer goes thus:-

Brawn and Fry made a mess of their driver strategy, which is why they are now pursuing Schumacher, aparantly in all earnest.
When they first began negotiating with Button they believed he had no serious alternative but to sign with them, on that basis they got rid of barrichelo (which is now looking a bad move). They then made Button the derisory offer of £4mil. Button called their bluff and went to McLaren. McLaren saw a golden opportunity to get back at Brawn for snatching their main sponsor and partner. By the time Brawn and Fry woke up to what was hapenning it was too late. With Rosberg signed, Brawn and Fry allowed Schumacher speculation to run out of control to cover up their mess.But have they now concluded that they actually do need Schumacher with suitable alternatives fast running out? Brawn needs someone with race and championship winning skills, who can lead a team and develop a car, Schumacher has that; they would have had it in a somewhat lesser form from Button or Barrichelo but their only current realistic alternative -Heidfeld cannot offer that. So maybe they actually need Schumacher. Damon Hill thinks Michael should go for it, not necessarily to add wins and championships, but to show that actually he can conduct himself well, that he is a nice guy and a sportsman underneath.

[RA Dunk]

I can go with that, pretty much seem's to be the case IMO

[Jabberwocky]

I think Ross was focused on the Merc deal and let Button slip away

[BritishBear]

McLaren saw a golden opportunity to get back at Brawn for snatching their main sponsor and partner.

Assuming this to mean Vodafone, I thought I read somewhere that they were continuing to support McLaren?

[7UpJordan]

I was expecting this to be about Ross Brawn slipping on his own banana peels.

[Frosty]

McLaren saw a golden opportunity to get back at Brawn for snatching their main sponsor and partner.

Assuming this to mean Vodafone, I thought I read somewhere that they were continuing to support McLaren?

No Mercedes who have a 40% stake in Mclaren.

[zurich_allan]

If I read this reasoning on its own merits without knowing the history and careers of those involved it would possibly make sense. However, I really don't see it being the case based on who we're actually talking about. Ross Brawn is one of the most methodical, well prepared, structured etc. people probably in the history of F1. Who else could have pulled together the mess that was Honda in F1 (And I'm not talking purely about 2009 - I'm including from his arrival a year previous and what he was walking into), to become the force that they were this past season, and with a third less of the workforce than there had been when Honda was a losing team.

There is NO way (and I mean 100% no way) that Brawn would have let Button get away unless he was pretty certain already that he had good viable alternatives - including Schumacher within that reasoning. I firmly believe that negotiations between Schumi and Brawn were probably ongoing long before we as F1 fans and followers all learned of it, though perhaps advanced once word was leaked.

Brawn is too professional to just slip up in the manner described, and I think most people who would see the depiction given in the first post as being possibly true are being a little naive to believe it.

[Gaz]

i suppose it makes sense, i bet Whitmarsh is abit gutted about helping brawn at the start of the season.

The brawn may not of been as good with the Ferrari engine which was allegedly more difficult to adapt - or even a toyota, cosworth or renault..

Still would of Won i expect.

[f1ea]

Good point racechick. In fact, i would dare say this is all probably Nick Fry's fault. He is very arrogant and does not treat his drivers well. So definitely his 2 drivers must have felt the animosity despite they "keeping loyal" to the team when it disbanded and giving Brawn a real worthy season.

I dont think Schumacher should return. Mainly because... what for?

He did retire early. And probably thought with his numbers he had F1's undisputed glory. Turns out, many fans still dont recognize him being as great as his numbers show, and he is not likely to win them over just by jumping into an F1 and doing anything short of extraordinary. But he should have thought of that before deciding to retire, out of frustration for being beaten by Alonso. Right now, he simply has too much to lose, extremely little to prove.

Move on. There's lots of talent now and for the future. MS's numbers were great and his impact in the sport was great. His work ethics and preparation marked a new era of F1 and most of what he won he did so deservedly. He should be proud... and move on.

Maybe go rallying with Kimi

[McLaren]

Wow Ross is human,didn't think he made mistakes.That wasn't ment to be sarcastic it's just so rare.

[scotty]

Speculation by an F1 writer goes thus:-

Brawn and Fry made a mess of their driver strategy, which is why they are now pursuing Schumacher, aparantly in all earnest.
When they first began negotiating with Button they believed he had no serious alternative but to sign with them, on that basis they got rid of barrichelo (which is now looking a bad move). They then made Button the derisory offer of £4mil. Button called their bluff and went to McLaren. McLaren saw a golden opportunity to get back at Brawn for snatching their main sponsor and partner. By the time Brawn and Fry woke up to what was hapenning it was too late. With Rosberg signed, Brawn and Fry allowed Schumacher speculation to run out of control to cover up their mess.But have they now concluded that they actually do need Schumacher with suitable alternatives fast running out? Brawn needs someone with race and championship winning skills, who can lead a team and develop a car, Schumacher has that; they would have had it in a somewhat lesser form from Button or Barrichelo but their only current realistic alternative -Heidfeld cannot offer that. So maybe they actually need Schumacher. Damon Hill thinks Michael should go for it, not necessarily to add wins and championships, but to show that actually he can conduct himself well, that he is a nice guy and a sportsman underneath.

Interesting viewpoint, perhaps they are right about the reasons for Button leaving, although i definitely don't think they need Schumacher in order to be competitive next year. If the car is good i'm sure 'lesser' drivers could get the job done - there's no evidence to disprove Rosberg or (especially) Heidfeld as potential title challengers, only really evidence to the contrary.

[Jensonb]

I'm hearing Rosberg may be headed to Lotus - for 2010.

Mercedes GP does not need another driver to slip through their fingers. Mercedes GP does not need to be upstaged by another team in the PR game again. Strange things indeed in Merc GP's driver negotiations - Button and Brrichello, two of the top 3 2009 drivers out ad in...Rosberg, who may be out before that even happens? What are they doing over there?

[scotty]

I'm hearing Rosberg may be headed to Lotus - for 2010.

Woah... Is that source any good (and does there appear to be anything to that rumour)??

[Jensonb]

I'm hearing Rosberg may be headed to Lotus - for 2010.

Woah... Is that source any good (and does there appear to be anything to that rumour)??

PitPass are running with it as a 50/50. We will know tomorrow.

[vaptin]

So its a certainty then?