From GMM
Rumours persist that seven-time World Champion Michael Schumacher's full-time return to Formula 1 this year was in the making long ago.
The official story is that Brackley based Brawn, later taken over and renamed by Mercedes, wanted to retain 2009 world champion Jenson Button this year.
The Briton's controversial switch to McLaren was announced on November 18, just over two weeks after the end of the season.
When asked about the timing of his talks with team boss Ross Brawn, Schumacher told La Gazzetta dello Sport: "We were talking since about June, but mostly it was joking than anything else. Serious proposals were made after the end of the season.”
Asked about the same timing issue by Bild newspaper, 41-year-old Schumacher said: "The start was after the last race in Abu Dhabi.
"It was at the celebration dinner with a good cigar. I said to him 'Are you sure you want to ask this question seriously?' And then he said 'If you are motivated, I have absolutely no concerns'," explained the record winner of 91 grands prix.
Schumacher also told the German newspaper that Brawn inquired about his interest in returning to F1 "two years ago" and "one year ago".
"But I was not ready then. Before last season, he told me everything about (the withdrawal of) Honda, the installation of the Mercedes engine. I politely listened and then said 'Have fun with it!'" Schumacher added.
Schumacher then jokingly admitted that he would pay close attention to not driving into the wrong pit box at the beginning of the season!
For the past 14 years, the German has called Ferrari's pit area home, but this season he will need to look for the silver-clad mechanics of Mercedes GP before making a pit stop.
"You're right," he said in Bild. "The Ferrari guys would probably give me rain tyres in the sunshine," the 41-year-old joked.
"Seriously, the relationship with Ferrari will always be good," the German insisted. "They already invited me to the traditional football games at the races. You can't forget and deny all the good moments together. I'm still in regular contact; every so often Stefano calls me up," Schumacher declared.
photo:Mercedes-Benz
Rumours persist that seven-time World Champion Michael Schumacher's full-time return to Formula 1 this year was in the making long ago.
The official story is that Brackley based Brawn, later taken over and renamed by Mercedes, wanted to retain 2009 world champion Jenson Button this year.
The Briton's controversial switch to McLaren was announced on November 18, just over two weeks after the end of the season.
When asked about the timing of his talks with team boss Ross Brawn, Schumacher told La Gazzetta dello Sport: "We were talking since about June, but mostly it was joking than anything else. Serious proposals were made after the end of the season.”
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Asked about the same timing issue by Bild newspaper, 41-year-old Schumacher said: "The start was after the last race in Abu Dhabi.
"It was at the celebration dinner with a good cigar. I said to him 'Are you sure you want to ask this question seriously?' And then he said 'If you are motivated, I have absolutely no concerns'," explained the record winner of 91 grands prix.
Schumacher also told the German newspaper that Brawn inquired about his interest in returning to F1 "two years ago" and "one year ago".
"But I was not ready then. Before last season, he told me everything about (the withdrawal of) Honda, the installation of the Mercedes engine. I politely listened and then said 'Have fun with it!'" Schumacher added.
Schumacher then jokingly admitted that he would pay close attention to not driving into the wrong pit box at the beginning of the season!
For the past 14 years, the German has called Ferrari's pit area home, but this season he will need to look for the silver-clad mechanics of Mercedes GP before making a pit stop.
"You're right," he said in Bild. "The Ferrari guys would probably give me rain tyres in the sunshine," the 41-year-old joked.
"Seriously, the relationship with Ferrari will always be good," the German insisted. "They already invited me to the traditional football games at the races. You can't forget and deny all the good moments together. I'm still in regular contact; every so often Stefano calls me up," Schumacher declared.
photo:Mercedes-Benz