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Ralf Schumacher rejects retirement talk; Oh damn!
Topic Started: Mar 1 2007, 11:18 AM (245 Views)
everythingoes
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Ralf Schumacher has rejected suggestions that he might not seek a renewal of his expiring Toyota contract at the end of the 2007 season.

The 31-year-old German's deal ends this year but he insists that he is not planning to follow elder brother Michael Schumacher into retirement any time soon.

He also hinted that he was likely to pursue a new contract at Cologne based Toyota rather than look elsewhere in pitlane, but insisted that it is 'too early' to think about the issue.

"At the moment we are thinking much more about the car.

"I love my job," Schumacher told Sport Bild, "and I very much enjoy being a part of this team. I feel very good about what I am doing.
Cliquez ici...
"

"Ask me again in six years," he smiled, probably referring to seven time world champion Michael Schumacher, who hung up his helmet at the age of 37.

Schumacher's last win in F1 came at the wheel of a BMW Williams in 2003, and his most recent achievement for Toyota was a podium in Melbourne last year.

F1-live.com

The fact that he's being asked should give him some clue, no?
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John
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If I was paid what he is paid.... I'd say no to retirement as well...

but It may well be his last season in a TOYOTA and that may mean in F1...
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Paul_Murtagh
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The decision could be out of Ralf's hands. Toyota may not want him after this season and all the other teams are building for the future and most have driver development programmes so Ralf could be surplus to requirements in F1 come October
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dcoulthard19
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well Toyota seem to be in love with Trulli so I doubt ralf will have a position in the team after 2007 but as long as he keeps on performing solidly like he has been doing over the last couple of years I think he will have options.

He is nowhere near as a bad a driver as people make him out to be.
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John
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True... he is not the worst....

...and it is rather unfortunate that he happens to have a 7 time WDC as his brother.... But then again having a 2 time WDC as a brother helped get him into F1 in the first place... There is no shame in not winning a WDC in your career.... most don't.... and he has a few wins which many never get so it's all fair I guess
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everythingoes
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Despite having started this topic, I agree that Ralf is not completely useless. Its just that being Michaels brother and the fact that he's getting paid as much make him an easy target to poke fun at.
He is definitely capable of good drives, but he seems so disinterested most times.
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X-Othermic
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The reason he won't retire is simple. $25 million a year anyone? I would race on till i was 50, at the back of the grid, 3/4 seconds off the pace if i was earning that much a year.
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safc_fan89
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He might seek a renewal...but why would Toyota offer a new contract? The general consensus seems to be going for younger drivers, so perhaps Toyota's fortunes might improve if they went for up-and-coming talent? Trulli and Ralf have been distinctly average over the last 2 seasons, and I don't see that situation changing this season.
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X-Othermic
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safc_fan89,Mar 1 2007
01:03 PM
He might seek a renewal...but why would Toyota offer a new contract? The general consensus seems to be going for younger drivers, so perhaps Toyota's fortunes might improve if they went for up-and-coming talent? Trulli and Ralf have been distinctly average over the last 2 seasons, and I don't see that situation changing this season.

Yeah, young drivers would be a good idea, but those two japanese they signed to the test team haven't exactly shone so far?

Briscoe? roflmao

lol.
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safc_fan89
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They should try watching GP2 instead of Formula Nippon.
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X-Othermic
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But don't the drives get paid loads in Nippon? Or is that Japanese F3000?
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safc_fan89
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No idea, but the recognised feeder series is GP2. If they continue what they are doing right now, they are going to end up nowhere. No point using F1 as a publicity stunt if your cars are always in the midfield.
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X-Othermic
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safc_fan89,Mar 1 2007
01:18 PM
No idea, but the recognised feeder series is GP2. If they continue what they are doing right now, they are going to end up nowhere. No point using F1 as a publicity stunt if your cars are always in the midfield.

Defined Toyota really. Underwhelming. If you've even been in one of their cars you'll know what i mean. <whistle>
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safc_fan89
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Yeah I guess, although the Yaris isn't top-of-the-range :)
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X-Othermic
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Anyway, getting back on topic, i have a feeling that Ralf simply sn't interested anymore, cause he really dosn't want to be in F1.
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