Schumacher offered a NASCAR test!

[Ray]

Ray Evernham offered Michael a test to see if he would change his views, any time he wants to take it. I'd like to see him do so, and get his feedback. Cause I personally think that he would be shown up big time if he did. Imagine the look on his face at Daytona or Talladega in the big drafting packs!:lol: AND being a road racer, in F1 of course, I'd like to see just how talented he is around the likes of Sonoma or Watkins Glen.

http://www.itv-f1.com/News_Article.aspx?PO_ID=38469

[P1]

Even if he wanted to, I'm not sure ferrari would let him. I personally wanna see them provide factory support for the Rolex Sports Car series. Then it would be plausible to see Schumi in the Daytona 24. The Daytona Road course is a pretty serious track. Those not familliar with it would be interested to learn almost all the oval part is used.

[3KGT]

Micheal is too good for NASCAR, I think if he wants to return to racing it should be at the 24 Hours of Lemans in a factory backed Ferrari LMP1 effort! Its about time Ferrari start competing in sports cars again, it would be a good follow up to the success of the F1 team, and bring more auto makers into sportscars dont you think?

[allan]

ya i think so too. but ferrari are spending way too much money on f1 now... last year, the company lost 75 million pounds at the end of the year, even though their sales broke the records, but designing new cars, such as the F430, the 599 GTB, FXX, and the f1 team would require tons of money, won't u agree?

[DaveKillens]

Michael has reached the top of the mountain, and made a classy exit from competitive racing. He has nothing to prove. Although his status with Ferrari is very vague, to me they just want to keep the association between Michael and Ferrari alive. I expect both parties to slowly drift apart within two years, mainly because his position (whatever the heck it is) within Ferrari cannot command a salary Michael and his agent want. How much is a driver talent scout, a remote strategy agent, and a generalized troubleshooter worth to Ferrari? Do you think they will part with five million euros for this role? Do you think Michael will do it for anything less? No, on both counts.
For him to indulge in NASCAR is considered a step down, and fraught with negative repercussions. If he isn't quick enough, or makes a mistake, people will point out that other NASCAR drivers have done better.

[P1]

They might pay him for doing nothing but acting as a spokesman for the brand. He's hugely popular, so they may actually get their money's worth that way.

[Ray]

Maybe it's my youth and stupidity (more than likely), but he said it wasn't a challenge. I think he should put his money where his mouth is. I know for damn sure we don't have alot of F1 style talent, which is too bad. I'd like to see a decent American racer in F1.

I think that all Ray Evernham was trying to do was, extend the offer to just try it out. Just for kick, not a challenge or anything. He said one of the reasons was that many people the world over see them as very technically 'dumb' cars. And they aren't. I think he should try it, it would be really cool to see at least.

[Octavarium]

Micheal is too good for NASCAR, I think if he wants to return to racing it should be at the 24 Hours of Lemans in a factory backed Ferrari LMP1 effort! Its about time Ferrari start competing in sports cars again, it would be a good follow up to the success of the F1 team, and bring more auto makers into sportscars dont you think?

Now THIS makes total sense!

As for the money... the cost of designing, building and racing a competitive Le Mans Prototype or GT class machine would be a drop in the ocean in comparison to the ammount Ferrari spend on F1 currently, even Audi who tested more prior to last season than every other ALMS team put together don't spend a fraction of what F1 teams do.

[RacingManiac]

Micheal is too good for NASCAR, I think if he wants to return to racing it should be at the 24 Hours of Lemans in a factory backed Ferrari LMP1 effort! Its about time Ferrari start competing in sports cars again, it would be a good follow up to the success of the F1 team, and bring more auto makers into sportscars dont you think?

Now THIS makes total sense!

As for the money... the cost of designing, building and racing a competitive Le Mans Prototype or GT class machine would be a drop in the ocean in comparison to the ammount Ferrari spend on F1 currently, even Audi who tested more prior to last season than every other ALMS team put together don't spend a fraction of what F1 teams do.

Audi's expenditure is probably in 100 million range for developing the R10...but the thing about sportscar is they can have a longer useful cycle than F1, so that cost can be spread out over many years....

mind you, Audi spend apparently close to 30million dollars for Le Mans alone every year, building their whold hospitality complex and whatnot....

[manchild]

Without being sarcastic or anti anything may I say that perhaps he'd be afraid of loosing from drivers who never had self-sacrificing "wingman" trough their career.

What would he do in Nascar without Eddie, Rubens or Felipe (and Max)? In Nascar no one would pardon him and he'd have to prove that he's at least good as the best Nascar drivers. Failing to dominate over entire field would only add oil on fire when it matters question how good he really is or was all alleged greatness just what Keke Rosberg sublimed last year calling him "cheap cheat"?

I'd like to see him there but I don't think he'll take his hollow boat out to the sea anymore and risk more water getting in. He published his bio, money still flows in, he enjoys retirement and I don't think he'd risk all that for anything in the world.

Bottom line of my story - I strongly believe that in low racing series all over the world there are hundreds of drivers at least as good as those lucky 22 in F1 but due to various circumstances their talent will never shine in F1. Most of those lucky 22 wouldn't like to risk their fat checks by participating in series that could decrease their "greatness".

[bhall]

I think I can agree somewhat with that, manchild. Drivers entering F1 aren't always the best in the world.

But I think they are after a few seasons. That experience makes them the best in the world. And after a great, long career, I don't think Schumacher has anything to prove or to gain by even trying NASCAR.

[saam]

Some drivers should only be rememberd as fabulous F1 drivers only.
shumi doesnt have to prove anything, at least to the people who think he wasnt anything special

Whats funny is that there have been many F1 drivers that were not great drivers, and some are still racing today

some even managed to win a season

yet some F1 drivers shouldnt even be allowed to drive road cars let alone F1 carts

now the tires are all uniform, it would be the drivers skill that can use them the best

[jwielage]

Ok lets not let this discussion get too far out of hand. Every driver in F1 is an excellent driver, why else would management for their respective teams put them behind a multi million dollar/euro car? That being said I agree that there are many other drivers out there who at one stage in their development were as good as future f1 pilots. Due to the scarcity of these seats not everyone gets a chance. bhallg2k makes a good point when he states that it is the experience in F1 that in part makes these drivers the best in the world. Speed, handling ability, technical knowledge: while F1 may not be at the pinnacle in each individual categories taken in conjunction f1 exhibits the most challenging combination of the traits that epitomize motor sport. Driving in F1 compared to other forms of road racing would be like taking your favorite circuit & car combination in Gran Turismo 4 (for those of you into Play Station) and increasing the game speed by 200% All things considered, I think it is fair to say that they are the best drivers in the world.

However Schumacher would not be successful in NASCAR. He has no experience in stock car racing and would have little propensity to gain such experience at this point in his career. In addition as several before me have noted, the man just has to much to lose! Whether you think he is the greatest of all time, or a cheat, he is certainly the most prominant driver in motor sports history. Why would he sacrifice that for a shot at racing in a series that consists of one continuous left turn?

[Scuderia_Russ]

Micheal is too good for NASCAR, I think if he wants to return to racing it should be at the 24 Hours of Lemans in a factory backed Ferrari LMP1 effort!

I like the sound of that!

[pRo]

he is certainly the most prominant driver in motor sports history

You do know that the motorsports history goes beyond 90's and it's not all done on four wheels?

Here's someone that many older motorsports fans are bound to remember:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Giacomo_Agostini


12 championships in a row. In two series. At the same time. 3 championships outside that row.

8 of them, in a row, won by getting nothing but wins on the races he started.

A total of 194 races, with 159 podiums and 122 wins.


I'm waiting to hear your thoughts why you think Schumi was more prominent than Agostini.