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Fry refuses to confirm Schumacher talks
Source: Agencies |
December 11, 2009, Friday
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A MICHAEL Schumacher comeback would be good for Formula One, Mercedes Grand Prix chief executive Nick Fry said yesterday.
Mercedes, which has taken over the title-winning Brawn team, has been linked in media reports with the retired German great now that Britain's world champion Jenson Button has moved from Brawn to McLaren.
Fry refused to confirm any talks with Schumacher, saying only that "we are discussing things with a number of different drivers", but said the sport should welcome the return of anyone of his stature. "I think whether it be Michael or another prior world champion, I think that just adds another very interesting element," he said.
"Can a 40 or 41-year-old compete against someone who is 24 years old? In other sports people have proven that they are very capable even at that age," he added.
"I think that would add another fascinating aspect and I think it is irrelevant whether it is Michael or (Canada's 1997 champion) Jacques (Villeneuve).
"I was joking with Mika (Hakkinen) the other day that maybe he should throw his hand in," said Fry, referring to Finland's 1998 and 1999 champion who has raced for Mercedes in German touring cars.
Mercedes has signed Germany's Nico Rosberg from Williams from 2010 but has yet to name his teammate with media speculation swirling around the intentions of Formula One's most successful driver.
The 40-year-old seven-time champion was lined up for a brief comeback this year as a stand-in for injured Ferrari driver Felipe Massa but had to pull out due to his own neck problem.
Fry said an announcement on the second driver could come before Christmas but was more likely to be in early January. He said there were about four names on the shortlist.
Mercedes, which has taken over the title-winning Brawn team, has been linked in media reports with the retired German great now that Britain's world champion Jenson Button has moved from Brawn to McLaren.
Fry refused to confirm any talks with Schumacher, saying only that "we are discussing things with a number of different drivers", but said the sport should welcome the return of anyone of his stature. "I think whether it be Michael or another prior world champion, I think that just adds another very interesting element," he said.
"Can a 40 or 41-year-old compete against someone who is 24 years old? In other sports people have proven that they are very capable even at that age," he added.
"I think that would add another fascinating aspect and I think it is irrelevant whether it is Michael or (Canada's 1997 champion) Jacques (Villeneuve).
"I was joking with Mika (Hakkinen) the other day that maybe he should throw his hand in," said Fry, referring to Finland's 1998 and 1999 champion who has raced for Mercedes in German touring cars.
Mercedes has signed Germany's Nico Rosberg from Williams from 2010 but has yet to name his teammate with media speculation swirling around the intentions of Formula One's most successful driver.
The 40-year-old seven-time champion was lined up for a brief comeback this year as a stand-in for injured Ferrari driver Felipe Massa but had to pull out due to his own neck problem.
Fry said an announcement on the second driver could come before Christmas but was more likely to be in early January. He said there were about four names on the shortlist.
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