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Schumacher F1 signing slammed by Mercedes board; The Daimler Works Council not happy!!!!!
Topic Started: Dec 29 2009, 12:03 PM (719 Views)
Steelstallions
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http://www.crash.net/f1/news/155603/1/schu...edes_board.html

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The works council of Mercedes' parent company Daimler has openly criticised the signing of multiple world champion Michael Schumacher for F1 2010 - suggesting the money would have been better spent elsewhere

It seems that the signing of record-breaking multiple world champion Michael Schumacher by Mercedes Grand Prix for F1 2010 has not gone down quite as well in some quarters as in others, despite the general euphoria that the sport is to welcome back its most successful and crowned driver of all time.

The Daimler Works Council has already been critical of Mercedes' F1 decisions in the past, publicly questioning the Stuttgart manufacturer's increased involvement in the top flight at a time when employees are being laid off on the automotive side and cost-cutting is in full force in response to the ongoing global credit crunch.

When Mercedes purchased a majority stake in double 2009 world champions Brawn GP last month, council member Erich Klemm opined that 'in these economically difficult times, the company should invest in better marketing of its real cars' – and it would appear that the recruitment of Schumacher has elicited a similarly unimpressed reaction.

“For many colleagues, it is unimaginable,” works council leader Uwe Werner told the Frankfurter Rundschau newspaper, adding that the seven-time F1 World Champion's reputed £7 million annual salary is 'hard to justify to our people' when some of Mercedes' manufacturing plants and therefore jobs are being transferred overseas, prompting protests in Germany. “The staff would have understood better if Mercedes had withdrawn from the expensive F1 business altogether.”

Indeed, the board's contention is that Mercedes should have followed the example of fellow car makers Honda, BMW and Toyota in departing the fray to focus on more environmentally-friendly and road car-relevant initiatives rather than continuing to throw millions at F1.

“Mercedes in particular is a company for which sportiness is not a selling-point but rather security and quality,” automobile industry expert Ferdinand Dudenhöffer of the University of Duisburg-Essen in western Germany told the Bayerische Rundfunk radio station. “Why should a driver decide to buy a Mercedes because of Formula 1? Every car will have to be sold for €200 to €300 more for Mercedes to finance Formula 1.”

However, Daimler chief executive Dieter Zetsche insists that 'it would be a missed opportunity' not to take advantage of the increased global possibilities in F1 now that there are only three manufacturers left – Mercedes, Ferrari and to a lesser degree Renault – with Asian and Middle Eastern markets in particular ripe to be tapped into. Moreover, Mercedes Benz Motorsport Vice-President Norbert Haug is convinced the partnership with Schumacher will be an investment for the future, and will do wonders for the company's worldwide image and consequently sales.

“The whole engagement will sell a lot of cars and make a lot of people aware of the quality of the [three-pointed] star,” the 57-year-old told ZDF public television. “We believe we know how to invest our money.”

Meanwhile, it has emerged that Schumacher has been forced to write an open letter of explanation to the millions of tifosi who are angry at his departure from Ferrari after 14 years together, with some going so far as to brand the 41-year-old a 'traitor'.

“I say [about Schumacher] the same as president [Luca di] Montezemolo – all the best,” the Scuderia's spokesman Luca Colajanni told news agency ANSA. “From now on he is an opponent, and we try to beat our opponents.”


That's a surprise, are they bean counters who are not looking at the big picture?
They have just got worldwide positive press from securing the services of the most legendary driver (who can still race). A driver who has cut ties with the team that idolised him for the last 14 years?

Or are they realistic and think with their head and not their heart and may have a valid point which will reflect badly on the main business of selling the road cars?

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sportsman
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It's not that suprising really.Daimler AG is locked in a bitter fight with the EU Enviromental commission over still further reductions in car emissions.
The luxury cars manufacturers, like Mercedes can see their markets being eroded by these new restrictions which would outweigh in their opinion the marketing opportunities that F1 offers.
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GordonB
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The report headline and the report itself is contradictory.

It says that "the board has openly criticised..." but then quotes "board member..."

I'm not at all surprised that individual board members might be against the move, but if the whole board were openly against it, I think it probably wouldn't have happened in the first place!
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flood1
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Uwe Werner is Chief of Staff Committee of the Mercedes plant in Bremen and as such is the employee representative. I guess this makes him a union leader. It is hardly surprising that he takes the opportunity to support his workers, but it does not represent the position of the management of the Corporation.
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Speedworx
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Schumachers return is bad for the sport.

I still state Heidfeld would have been a better signing for Mercedes.
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Brave_Lee_Flea
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Speedworx,Jan 1 2010
12:39 PM
Schumachers return is bad for the sport.

I still state Heidfeld would have been a better signing for Mercedes.

Really?

I agree that Nick is a solid, reliable driver but he's never given any indication that he can be more than that.

Think of the additional sponsorship that Schumacher's presence will generate for the team. I wouldn't mind betting that alone will net the team millions of pounds, if not tens of millions, which can be put towards car development.

Schumacher has a proven synergy with Ross, he galvanises a team and his work ethic and contribution towards the evolution of the car are legend.

It might be a bit of a gamble that Schumacher will be as good as he once was but, honestly, even if he is only 80% of the driver he was he'd still be a better bet than Heidfeld.

Now if you'd said that Williams missed a trick and would have been better off to re-sign Nick instead of Rubens ..... then I'd have agreed with you ...... dammit.

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sportsman
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You never said a truer word Petra.
Schumacher coming out of retirement and signing for Mercedes has dominated all the Russian media.Both sports and general news press.
Even my my mother in law asked me about it.She is 86 Russian and doesn't have the faintest of interest in F1.Doesn't even know what it is really.And she asked if it was true.
And when you consider just how many Mercedes are sold in the Russian market,there are thousands of them on the roads.
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Steelstallions
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sportsman,Jan 1 2010
05:25 PM
You never said a truer word Petra.
Schumacher coming out of retirement and signing for Mercedes has dominated all the Russian media.Both sports and general news press.
Even my my mother in law asked me about it.She is 86 Russian and doesn't have the faintest of interest in F1.Doesn't even know what it is really.And she asked if it was true.
And when you consider just how many Mercedes are sold in the Russian market,there are thousands of them on the roads.

But its a double edged sword as we both know. If MS cannot do well and is spanked by his rivals, that's publicity neither he or Mercedes want.
He made his bed, 2010 will not be the retired driver having fun, Mercedes and his fans expect results and I think they are already expecting too much from him at this time of his life.
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sportsman
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Steelstallions,Jan 1 2010
11:09 PM
sportsman,Jan 1 2010
05:25 PM
You never said a truer word Petra.
Schumacher coming out of retirement and signing for Mercedes has dominated all the Russian media.Both sports and general news press.
Even my my mother in law asked me about it.She is 86 Russian and doesn't have the faintest of interest in F1.Doesn't even know what it is really.And she asked if it was true.
And when you consider just how many Mercedes are sold in the Russian market,there are thousands of them on the roads.

But its a double edged sword as we both know. If MS cannot do well and is spanked by his rivals, that's publicity neither he or Mercedes want.
He made his bed, 2010 will not be the retired driver having fun, Mercedes and his fans expect results and I think they are already expecting too much from him at this time of his life.

That's not quite right.Whether or not he does well will not make the mainstream news.That will only be in the sportsmews.

If he wins his first race back, that would make the mainstream news.If he doesn't that will only be in the sportsnews.

His actual performance is immaterial.Unless he wins the WDC.
That would make the mainstream news.

The F1 fans will be interested in his performance But the vast majority will not even know or care.

Just out of interest Hamiltons WDC made headline news in all the Russian media.
Both mainstream news, and on the front page of Pravda.Also on TASS.
Buttons win however was only mentianed in the sports sections.
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Steelstallions
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sportsman,Jan 2 2010
09:31 AM
Steelstallions,Jan 1 2010
11:09 PM
sportsman,Jan 1 2010
05:25 PM
You never said a truer word Petra.
Schumacher coming out of retirement and signing for Mercedes has dominated all the Russian media.Both sports and general news press.
Even my my mother in law asked me about it.She is 86 Russian and doesn't have the faintest of interest in F1.Doesn't even know what it is really.And she asked if it was true.
And when you consider just how many Mercedes are sold in the Russian market,there are thousands of them on the roads.

But its a double edged sword as we both know. If MS cannot do well and is spanked by his rivals, that's publicity neither he or Mercedes want.
He made his bed, 2010 will not be the retired driver having fun, Mercedes and his fans expect results and I think they are already expecting too much from him at this time of his life.

That's not quite right.Whether or not he does well will not make the mainstream news.That will only be in the sportsmews.

If he wins his first race back, that would make the mainstream news.If he doesn't that will only be in the sportsnews.

His actual performance is immaterial.Unless he wins the WDC.
That would make the mainstream news.

The F1 fans will be interested in his performance But the vast majority will not even know or care.

Just out of interest Hamiltons WDC made headline news in all the Russian media.
Both mainstream news, and on the front page of Pravda.Also on TASS.
Buttons win however was only mentianed in the sports sections.

I must say I don't agree with you. We are talking about Michael Schumacher returning to the track. His first races will be main stream news. If he wins, it will snowball from the very big snowball it is now, if he does badly then this will also be news but main media will lose interest very quickly once the impact of him being ordinary is not sufficient for them.
When it looked like he was going to take Massa's seat I was going to spend a packet to see him race in more than one country, as he is not in a Ferrari I am not going out my way to watch him race anywhere but the TV. BUT, his fans who support him and only him will follow him, he is big news more than Lewis and Button combined and main stream will follow him and with he himself saying he is challenging for the title, his legendary status is on the line.

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/for...icle6967013.ece

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sportsman
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Sorry SS.But that is British press.That article was 24th December

Since the first announcement that Schumacher had come out of retirement and signed for Mercedes which was widely reported, there has not been a single word in the Russian media.

Already they have lost interest.
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Steelstallions
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sportsman,Jan 2 2010
11:33 AM
Sorry SS.But that is British press.That article was 24th December

Since the first announcement that Schumacher had come out of retirement and signed for Mercedes which was widely reported, there has not been a single word in the Russian media.

Already they have lost interest.

Come on Sportsman, there is hardly any F1 news anywhere on in any country let alone Michael Schumacher returning.
As I said his first races will be big news in all media, his results will then dictate if that continues.

So far the latest news on F1 is not even worth starting a thread on: -

http://www.crash.net/f1/news/155651/1/davi...mans_sport.html
Quote:
 
Davidson: I should be in F1 – but it's a rich man's sport


http://sify.com/sports/michael-schumacher-...20Sports%20News
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Michael Schumacher's return glosses over F1 cracks


http://gulfnews.com/sport/motorsport/schum...rubber-1.560806
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Schumi's decision comes under fire burning rubber


http://bdnews24.com/details.php?id=150035&cid=19
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The business of sport – predictions for 2010


And just for you, just one of the Russian Sports News today

http://www.sportime.gr/ArticleDetail.aspx?...articleId=22695
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F1: H ζωή συνεχίζεται μετά τον Michael Schumacher
Είναι προφανές ότι η αποχώρηση του Michael Schumacher από τη Ferrari έχει στοιχίσει σε όλους στο Maranello.

Γι’ αυτό και στις δηλώσεις τους σχετικά με την επιστροφή του στην ενεργό δράση, όλοι αποκαλύπτουν την απογοήτευσή τους για αυτή την εξέλιξη, προσπαθώντας πάντα να μην κακολογήσουν τον επί 14 χρόνια ηγέτη τους.



There does seem to be one driver dominating the F1 news still.........even in Russia when you ask for F1 news :)
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sportsman
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Exactly.When you ask for F1 news.

We are talking about Joe public.Not F1 fans.
Of course Schumacher will dominate any F1 news in any country.
But the Russian F1 news are constantly saying that Vitaly Petrov should be given an F1 drive.
That's natural.He is Russian Has the British mainstream F1 press ever even mentioned his name.
I don't mean Autosport or the dedicated F1 press. Newspapers such as The Guardian and the tabloids.

Incidently that article is simply a translation of the one that appeared in Autosport.
And it's a sports website.Not a mainline newspaper.And that language is Greek.

This is an English link to Russia today.The state owned TV channel.Tucked away right at the bottom is the Schumacher story.Dated the 16th December.

http://rt.com/Sport.html
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stradlin24
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sportsman,Jan 1 2010
05:25 PM
You never said a truer word Petra.
Schumacher coming out of retirement and signing for Mercedes has dominated all the Russian media.Both sports and general news press.
Even my my mother in law asked me about it.She is 86 Russian and doesn't have the faintest of interest in F1.Doesn't even know what it is really.And she asked if it was true.
And when you consider just how many Mercedes are sold in the Russian market,there are thousands of them on the roads.

That's true and it's given people alot to talk about during the off season but that doesn't change the fact that some of us don't feel this is a positive for F1.

Will I be interested in how MS does? Of course, i'd be lying if I said I didn't have more of an eye on his performance than pretty much anyone else

But F1 has been in deeply sensitive times recently and we know the controversy that Schumacher stirs up. Does F1 need distrations like that or you could say is MS taking the seat of a young up and coming driver who now might have missed his chance (if that driver was Heidfeld that it's probably an irrlevent point)

So many if's and but's, but then if the F1 global audience is significantly increased by Schumi's return that it would be differcult to argue there is a negative effect, unless you look deeper of course....
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sportsman
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In many ways I agree with your points.

The big difference is that I am referring to mainstream news broadcasts.
I am not talking about F1 fans at all.
In that context many F1 fans feel the same as you do,that it is not necessarily good for F1.

In the case of my mother in law, she`was watching the equivalent the BBC news.
And after the news of Medvedev,Putin and the Duma then Schumacher coming out of retirement and signing for Mercedes.

I do think that ,many on here attach far to much importance to F1 in the wolds news however.
For example "Liegate" "Crashgate" never made the mainstream news here or in the Russian mainstream news.
The sportsnews sections however it did.
I cannot speak for the UK as I cannot watch the UK version of BBC news.
I can however read their website but I get their international version,which differs from the UK version.
But on BBC World the BBC's International TV broadcast
the Schumacher news made the main broadcast, not only the sports news.
European press may well be different
That's what I meant by my original post.
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