Schumacher signs for Ferrari
Schumacher signs for Ferrari By Timothy Collings MICHAEL Schumacher yesterday traded his chances of winning next year's world drivers' championship for the financial security of a £39 million contract with Ferrari. The German signed a ...
Schumacher signs for Ferrari By Timothy Collings
MICHAEL Schumacher yesterday traded his chances of winning next year's world drivers' championship for the financial security of a £39 million contract with Ferrari.
The German signed a two-year deal with the Italian team, a commitment he said was an irresistible challenge. Ferrari have not won a world drivers' title since Jody Scheckter in 1979.
On a day when Benetton Renault announced - as expected - that Jean Alesi was leaving Ferrari to replace their departing world champion, and Williams Renault said Jacques Villeneuve would partner Damon Hill next season, Schumacher conceded the 1996 title to his greatest rival.
Speaking at Silverstone, where he was testing with Benetton, Schumacher said: "I don't have a problem with Damon Hill starting favourite for the 1996 championship. In fact, I don't mind if he wins it.
"All I want is a situation where I can develop with a team up to a certain standard. This is a good opportunity to work with Ferrari and in our first season we will win races and in the second year we will win the championship."
Following yesterday's announcements among the leading teams, two seats remain unfilled and two established drivers appear to hold the key. Gerhard Berger, whose relationship with Schumacher has been strained in the past, is understood to have the choice of staying at Ferrari as the German's sidekick or moving to McLaren.
David Coulthard's future at Williams is unsure. If Berger remains at Ferrari it will enhance Coulthard's prospects of a seat with McLaren.
---
Reply to Electronic Telegraph - et@telegraph.co.uk Electronic Telegraph is a Registered Service Mark of The Telegraph plc
Previous article
CHAMPCAR/CART: Villeneuve to drive in F1 in 1996
Next article
Standings after Argentinian GP
About this article
| Series | Formula 1 |
| Drivers | Jean Alesi , David Coulthard , Jacques Villeneuve , Gerhard Berger , Damon Hill , Jody Scheckter |
| Teams | Ferrari , McLaren , Williams , Benetton |
The tricky driver conundrums facing Mercedes in F1 2021
Ahead of the new Formula 1 season, reigning world champions Mercedes will take on challenges both old and new. This also can be said for its driver conundrum which could become key to sustaining its ongoing success...
How Alpine's cure to 2021 F1 rules starts at the front
A new name, new faces and new colours pulls the rebranded Alpine Formula 1 team into a new era while carrying over core elements of its 2020 car. But under the surface there's more than meets the eye with the A521 which hints at how the team will tackle 2021...
Can Mercedes' W12 retain the team's crown?
Replacing Formula 1's fastest car was never going to be an easy feat for Mercedes. Amid the technical rule tweaks to peg back the W12 and its 2021 rivals, the new Mercedes challenger will remain the target to beat
The pointed note that starts Ferrari's Leclerc vs Sainz era
Ferrari is starting its post-Sebastian Vettel age by welcoming Carlos Sainz in alongside Charles Leclerc. But while Sainz has a tough challenge to match his new teammate, Ferrari is also sending a message that previous intra-team spats must end
The mantra Ocon must follow to challenge Alonso at Alpine
OPINION: It's been an uneasy ride for Esteban Ocon since his F1 comeback - and fresh challenges lie in wait as he's joined by double world champion Fernando Alonso in the newly rebranded Alpine team. STUART CODLING sets out a roadmap to success…
Why Haas is willing to sacrifice its 2021 F1 season
Every Formula 1 team is facing the same difficult decision this season: how do you split precious aero development time between the current car and the all-new 2022 project?
The big questions of F1 2021 - Karun Chandhok
After an unprecedented season last year, there are plenty of questions and storylines for the upcoming Formula 1 campaign. Sky Sports F1 pundit Karun Chandhok gives his verdict.
How McLaren F1’s new investors have already made an impact
The deal McLaren concluded with MSP Sports Capital last year which will help the cash-strapped Formula 1 team pay for much-needed infrastructure upgrades, also points toward the future for F1 itself, says GP Racing's Stuart Codling.
