Ferrari chief Luca di Montezemolo has claimed he had been planning to bring Michael Schumacher back to Formula One even before Felipe Massa’s crash.
The Ferrari team president told Italy’s Oggi magazine: “I had been thinking for a long time of a third car for Michael.”
Montezemolo said he therefore “immediately thought about” the 40-year-old German when he knew Brazilian Massa would need to be replaced at forthcoming races this season. Yahoo! Eurosport
Di Montezemolo said it had also created a real buzz within the team, but warned that it was not realistic to expect Schumacher – who last raced in 2006 – to transform Ferrari’s middling 2009 form.
Di Montezemolo admitted that he initially didn’t fancy his chances of persuading Schumacher to race again, since he felt the 40-year-German was content in his retirement.
“Personally, I was a bit sceptical about managing to convince him,” he said.
“First of all, because every time I talked to him he always reassured me that he was happy with his current situation— finally having time for his family.
“He never gave me the impression that he was bored or desperately looking for a new challenge.
“All of us at Ferrari wanted to see him again in an F1 race.”
Di Montezemolo agreed that the German’s strong sense of loyalty to the team had played a big part. ITV
“As the competitor I am, I very much look forward to facing this challenge. Ultimately I like challenges and this is a great challenge,” Schumacher said.
But when it became obvious the Brazilian would not be able to race in the short term and perhaps before the 2010 season, Ferrari president Luca di Montezemolo applied the pressure necessary to lock in the most successful driver to race for the red team.
“The most important thing first: thanks God all news concerning Felipe (is) positive,” Schumacher said after meeting the Ferrari chiefs.
“I wish him all the best again.
“Though it is true that the chapter Formula 1 has been closed for me since long and completely, it is also true that for loyalty reasons to the team I cannot ignore that unfortunate situation.” Melbourne Herald Sun
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