Michael Schumacher back in action!

[rage2]

First off, because Ferrari offers the F1 Clienti program (basically if you're rich u can drive their old F1 cars), MS ran the F2007 at Mugello today.

Interesting to note that F2007 uses grooved tires, while MS drove on slicks.









Next up, Ferrari asks FIA and FOTA to let MS do a single test day in the F60.

http://f1.gpupdate.net/en/news/2009/...cher-f60-test/

Dear All,

As you are all aware, Michael Schumacher has accepted to evaluate the possibility to replace Felipe Massa until he will be able to compete in the championship again. Michael has however been away from F1 racing and from any kind of car racing since 2006, with the exception of a limited amount of testing for us in 2007.

In order to properly evaluate the possibility for his comeback we are therefore herewith requesting all competitors to the 2009 championship, as well as the FIA, for the possibility to perform one day of official testing before the Valencia Grand Prix in derogation to Art. 22.1 c) of the 2009 Sporting Regulations and of the Testing Agreement. We would be grateful if you could confirm your agreement to the aforesaid.

With kind regards,
Massimo Rivola
Sporting Director

Mighty nice of FOTA to OK it. Williams and Force India (non FOTA teams) haven't responded yet, nor has the FIA. I believe MS needs to do some testing before he can properly qualify for his superlicense.

http://f1.gpupdate.net/en/news/2009/...humacher-test/

In 3 weeks, it's gonna be epic! 4 WDC's battling it out all with inferior cars!

[Mibz]

Did FOTA actually accept it yet? Jaime didn't get any real testing, did he? I thought it was just straight line, similar to what MS is allowed to do.

I'm okay with letting him test if he HAS to, but not otherwise.

EDIT: Nevermind, I'd rather see him test. Though I'd prefer it if everybody got a day of testing too.

[H4LFY2nR]

He's out of shape and overweight compared to where he should be. It sounds like he's got a lot of work to do to get in shape in under a month. How f'd up did his neck get in that motorcylce crash?

Either way, I hope he gets the F60 testing, it won't be as interesting if he and the team have to figure out the whole car setup at Valencia. I doubt Ferrari International Assistance will have any problems giving MS the testing. But I agree, I think everyone should be allowed an extra day of testing to make it fair.

[DJ Lazy]

Originally posted by rage2


In 3 weeks, it's gonna be epic! 4 WDC's battling it out all with inferior cars!

And 1 backmarker role-playing WDC...

[Mibz]

F1Technical is reporting that FOTA have accepted the terms of the test.

http://www.f1technical.net/news/13022

[DJ Lazy]

I still have mixed feelings about this... Why not grant Alguasari 1 day of free testing, surely if a 7time WDC needs a day, a rookie who has never driven an F1 car needs one too?... etc etc..

Should all teams be granted one day to keep things fair.... A team can do alot of testing in one day, enough to have an unfair advantage over everyone else who can't test? maybe...

[Cos]

[ryanallan]

Oh Ferrari

The FIA is to investigate Michael Schumacher's test at the Mugello circuit on Friday. Observers of secret photos of the nearly 70 lap session were alarmed to see the 40-year-old German's 2007 single seater equipped with slick Bridgestone tyres . Schumacher said afterwards that the slicks in use were from the GP2 series, but it may be that other teams strictly observing the in-season test ban are concerned about having that information verified. A spokeswoman for F1's governing body told the German news agency DPA that, according to the report, "the FIA is concerned about the slicks used on the F2007".

He travels in style ! I think he currently gets paid 5m euros per year as a consultant. Don't think he would pay for any of the travel fees though.

arriving at the track:


leaving the track:

[Chris Elyea]

Williams says "NO" to test!

http://www.formula1.com/news/headlines/2009/8/9718.html

(Kick us out of FOTA, will you Ferrari? Hmmmph!)

[Mibz]

Williams has prevented Schumacher from getting an F60 test, citing Jaime's situation.

http://www.formula1.com/news/headlines/2009/8/9718.html

[Chris Elyea]

Red Bull and Toro Rosso are now against the test as well.

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/77540

[iceburns288]

You can see on his helmet how much the color has changed from super-Rosso Scuderia to blood red.

I love the new red, but I do miss that bright orange!

[BerserkerCatSplat]

Ferrari has a good cry over the test ban.

Ferrari slates Williams over test block

The Ferrari team has hit out at rival Williams over its decision to not allow Michael Schumacher to test this year's car ahead of his return to action at the European Grand Prix.

Ferrari asked all Formula 1 teams for permission to have a one-day test for Schumacher ahead of the Valencia race, where the German will replace the injured Felipe Massa.

On Tuesday, Ferrari hit out at Williams, saying the team had demonstrated a lack of spirit of fair play.

The Italian squad also referred to Williams as "a team that hasn't won anything for years."

Ferrari also revealed it had given Toro Rosso its approval to test rookie Jamie Alguersuari ahead of his debut in Hungary.

"Guess who opposed the test with the F60? A team that hasn't won anything for years and yet didn't pass over the opportunity to demonstrate once more a lack of spirit of fair play," Ferrari wrote in its official website under a news piece titled 'Indiscretion'.

"Just for the record, the Scuderia Ferrari had given its approval to let Alguersuari test, but it seems even in this instance someone decided to stick to the precise wording of the regulations."

Team boss Frank Williams said on Monday that he welcomed Schumacher back in F1, but that his team would not allow him to test.

"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," Williams said.

"It was for this reason that Alguersuari, who drove an F1 car for the very first time in Hungary, did not have the opportunity to familiarise himself with the Toro Rosso before he made his race debut.

"Williams sees no distinction between Alguersuari's situation and Schumacher's and feels that any deviation from the rule would create a precedent for the future.

"In a similar situation, Williams would unhesitatingly use its current test driver. For the sake of consistency and fairness, therefore, we oppose Ferrari's proposal to test ahead of the European Grand Prix."

Red Bull boss Dietrich Mateschitz also said yesterday that his teams were opposing the test.

[DJ Lazy]

^^ Ferrari: "but it seems even in this instance someone decided to stick to the precise wording of the regulations."


God forbid that the precise wording of the regulations was actually enforced...

Fuck Ferrari!! (but Get Well Massa)

[Mibz]

TR claims that they asked for a test for Jaime and Ferrari claims they approved that test. I'd like to know who disapproved Jaime's test and why it wasn't made public like this one.

[Chris Elyea]

Originally posted by Mibz
TR claims that they asked for a test for Jaime and Ferrari claims they approved that test. I'd like to know who disapproved Jaime's test and why it wasn't made public like this one.

Williams have said they opposed it. And we didn't hear about it because it didn't involve Michael Schumacher!

[Chris Elyea]

Dude's already lost 3 kilos! The Michael Schumacher Weight Loss Program - I'd buy that!

http://www.formula1.com/news/headlines/2009/8/9722.html