Richard, a belated Merry Christmas, and timely New Year to you.

Schumi had the Ferrari, for many years, tailored to him. Massive budget, all the concentration and focus centred around him.

Personally, as a fan of our sport and obviously the great drivers, I was really disappointed with his performance the last 2 years.

To me, Senna is still the greatest.

Sour grapes on Schumacher's part. Had Vettel had the Mercedes instead of the Red Bull it may have well be a different story and outcome.

Imagine if Coke or Pepsi decided to enter F1 with the money they have!!!!!!!

"Richard" wrote:

"interestingly schumi said (two days ago) that he might have gotten a win or two in sebs car, but admitted that he would not be able to match seb, as he needed a "schumi specific" car."

Of course Richard, any driver who wins the championship did/does so in a car that is tailored/suited/built to their own talent or craft. Such is the history of Formula1. Ergo the team with the $$$ will inevitably win.

I strongly believe that teams expenditure/funds for the year should include driver payment or sponsorship and make it a leveler (if that's a word..) playing field.

@EnRiCo-Pepsi co did briefly enter F1 in 91 it was title sponsor of the Jordan 191 under it's 7up brand.
A deal which in Eddies words he "practically gave away for free"

Yeah, with the unwillingness of Mercedes to pour money into a program with no less than Michael Schumacher at the wheel, then just imagine what their board of directors will be saying when it comes time to finance another year in F1, considering the results they've had over the last 3 years.
Now, Imagine what they will be discussing at the board meetings once Lewis Hamilton has the Mercedes name in the spotlight for all the wrong reasons like he has for McLaren for the last few years.
I can see the headlines in Bild am Sonntag. "Lewis Hamilton $h1T$ on the Three Pointed Star after the car is outqualified."
Mercedes will only be in F1 for this one last year.

ptolomy. a couple of months ago, haug claimed that daimler were to invest another 100m into merc gp. however, a month later, zetsche said that NO more money would be invested.

however, with lulu on a three year contract, it would be difficult for merc to actually pull out unless thy can find a ready buyer for the team, who would keep lulu on.

they seem to have gotten themselves into a bit of a hole!

Yes, I was thinking about buying a Mercedes. Then they brought Lewis Hamilton on board the Mercedes team. So it influenced me to buy a BMW instead. I don't want to be associated with a team that supports this embarrassing guy.

Just seen an article by Schumi saying Lewis can win with Mercs. Good to see the great man is accepting that Lewis is the man to take this team forward.

Maybe he should try and by the team.