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Michael Schumacher has refused to deny speculation linking him to a racing return with Mercedes GP next year.

Competing at a Brazilian kart event last weekend, the 40-year-old responded to questions about Formula One by saying: "Right now I am concentrating only on these kart races.

"Who knows? Anything can happen."

Schumacher also confirmed that the nect injury that prevented his return to F1 with Ferrari this year is now healed.

"I don't have any problems with my ne...Read the full article

He'd better come back now, because if he doesn't, not only will it have robbed F1 of the best thing that could happen to it next year, it'll make Mercedes look cynical and cheap, having exploited every proper F1 fan's desire to see Schumacher drive again.

Mercedes need to get on with it, because if Heidfeld ends up in the seat, it will be a dull indictment of its image, and I reckon most people will focus on the battle between the Big Three-and-a-Half at Red Bull, McLaren and Ferrari.

I think, maybe, Schumacher is fed-up that Ferrari have brought Alonso into the team, meaning he won't want to assist development in any way, and there's a sense that the company has relegated him to a back-room job of car development. As with racing in lesser Formula, he can work on road-car projects in ten year's time, when he'll probably still be fitter than most F1 drivers over thirty.

This would be my Christmas present that gives over the whole year.

funny, he couldn't drive for Ferrari last year but now he can drive for Mercedes, thanks Michael, thats a big slap in the face to Ferrari& its fans!

Message to Michael Schumacher:

Either sign

Or shut up and go home, all this dithering is doing no one any good

The longer the speculation goes on unquashed, the more it has to happen or both Merc and Schuey will lose face if it doesn't.

Its just like the "will he, won't he" debate when Brown pondered an election - the final "no" decision was widely derided as it was known to have been considered for a long time, then he bottled it.

Casanova:

The longer the speculation goes on unquashed, the more it has to happen or both Merc and Schuey will lose face if it doesn't.

Its just like the "will he, won't he" debate when Brown pondered an election - the final "no" decision was widely derided as it was known to have been considered for a long time, then he bottled it.

An excellent point. Also, Schumcaher needs to be free to start testing and development.

I think Mr. Schumacher is having a bit of a laugh with the press.  He has no need to come back.  When you have everything he has acheived why do it?  I have more time for stars like Prost who have a go at ice racing for the fun of it.  If the desire to go racing still burns inside then have a new challenge and re write history again the way John Surtees did.

Ross Brawn is a canny chap.  He went on holiday, said nothing and let press generate a media strom all of their own.  I don't doubt they were peeved at Jensons choice of teams, but they should have pulled their finger out and signed the bloke up 2 months ago.

Can all Schumacher fans remember that he was gifted a mostly dominant car for most of his career.  He did get beaten many times and lost 6 championships to Alonso, Hakkinen, Hill and Villeneuve, as well as made appalling mistakes and crashes along the way.  History also proved he would cheat and be unsportsmanly.

Life is a blend of skill and luck and he had both in spades, but stay retired and lets be entertained by someone new.

Casanova:

The longer the speculation goes on unquashed, the more it has to happen or both Merc and Schuey will lose face if it doesn't.

Its just like the "will he, won't he" debate when Brown pondered an election - the final "no" decision was widely derided as it was known to have been considered for a long time, then he bottled it.

An excellent point. Also, Schumacher needs to be free to start testing and development.

If Mercedes doesn't announce his obtainment this week, it will announce Kubica as the lead driver within three weeks when Renault gets fractious over Briatore's possible return.

This would also serve the central issue of German heritage by being something of a recompense for what they did to Poland in The War.

But this dithering is doing good,for Mercedes and Michael Schumacher, it's keeping them in the F1 eye,people will keep reading blogs and forums because of speculation, personally i think he's the only driver in the last decade or so who had that little bit extra,who could get a little bit more out of the car, of course he wasn't averse to the odd bit of gamemanship(who wasn't!) but if he raced next year, in a competitive car, he'd be the man to beat, he's got that much more talent!

There is only one reason why Schuey would come

back,his ego.

That is the reason why he will not,he knows he will

get beat.

Gamemanship,don't think so Peter,he was a cheat.

 

 

Peter Cavellini:

But this dithering is doing good,for Mercedes and Michael Schumacher, it's keeping them in the F1 eye,people will keep reading blogs and forums because of speculation, personally i think he's the only driver in the last decade or so who had that little bit extra,who could get a little bit more out of the car, of course he wasn't averse to the odd bit of gamemanship(who wasn't!) but if he raced next year, in a competitive car, he'd be the man to beat, he's got that much more talent!

Very well said, Peter.

Within the next fortnight, I expect Villeneuve will be announced as a driver in the Lotus F1 team, with Kobayashi a strong contender for the second seat.