Michael Schumacher's manager has revealed he advised the seven time world champion against coming out of retirement to replace the injured Felipe Massa at forthcoming Grand Prix while speculation is rife as to how the seven-time champion will perform after nearly three years out of the cockpit.
"I advised him against it, saying the problem is the expectation of the people,? Willi Weber told Der Tagesspiegel newspaper. ?If Schumacher is back in the car, then they want to see him winning."
Schumacher insists he agreed to the temporary role out of loyalty to the Ferrari marque, with whom he achieved five of his seven drivers' titles and still works as an advisor.
"Ferrari asked him and he couldn't say no," Weber admitted. "It is good for everyone: the media, the fans, Formula One. Whether it is also good for us we will have to see."
Weber said his fears about the comeback are because Schumacher has not seriously trained since his retirement in 2006, and because he is ten races less experienced than his competitors with the new-generation of cars.
Italy's Tuttosport, meanwhile, reports that Schumacher's decision to replace Massa coincides with news that Ferrari will extend his ?5m per year role as team advisor.
As expected, the pundits have been busy speculating as to how well Schumacher will perform on his return.
Niki Lauda staged a sensational comeback in the 1980s with McLaren and even went on to win his third world championship. He is sure 40-year-old Schumacher "will be brilliant" and could show up his new team-mate.
"The most interesting thing will be to see him up against Kimi Raikkonen in the other Ferrari - who will be faster?" the Austrian told Britain's Daily Mail. "Put it this way: Kimi has to get his act together or be shown up.?
Eddie Jordan, who gave Schumacher his debut in 1991 and is equally enthusiastic about Schumacher's impending return, agrees that the situation will be a "big wake-up call" for Raikkonen.
"You will see a new Raikkonen because he will not want to be disgraced by Michael Schumacher," the Irishman told BBC Radio 5 Live.
Courtesy of F1-Live
