HEADLINES:
R/€ 
R/£ Schumacher comeback would be good for F1, says Mercedes chief
December 11, 2009 Edition 1
Alan Baldwin
MONACO: A Michael Schumacher comeback would be good for Formula One, Mercedes Grand Prix chief executive Nick Fry said yesterday.
Mercedes, who have taken over the title-winning Brawn team, have been linked in media reports with the retired German great now that world champion Jenson Button of Britain has moved from Brawn to McLaren.
Fry refused to confirm any talks with Schumacher, saying only that "we are discussing things with a number of drivers". He then stated that the sport should welcome the return of anyone of the seven-times world champion's stature.
"Whether it be Michael or another former champion, I think that just adds another very interesting element," Fry said at a motorsport business forum in Monaco.
"Can a 40- or 41-year-old compete against someone who is 24 years old? In other sports, people have proven that they are very capable, even at that age," he added.
"I think that would add another fascinating aspect and I think it is irrelevant whether it is Michael or (1997 champion) Jacques (Villeneuve).
"I was joking with Mika (Hakkinen) the other day that maybe he should throw his hand in," said Fry, referring to the 1998 and 1999 champion who has raced for Mercedes in German touring cars (DTM).
Mercedes have signed Nico Rosberg from Williams for 2010, but have yet to name the German's teammate, with media speculation swirling around the intentions of Formula One's most successful driver.
The 40-year-old Schumacher was lined up for a brief comeback this year as a stand-in for injured Ferrari driver Felipe Massa, but had to pull out due to a neck problem.
Fry said an announcement on the second driver could come before Christmas, but was more likely to be in early January. There were "about four names" on the short-list.
"Nationality has got nothing to do with it at all. Mercedes said it would be nice to have a driver who was German, and we've got that already with Nico. It wasn't a big deal from the start."
Fry said previous experience was a far bigger factor. "We learned very clearly this year that you've got to have two drivers capable of scoring points in every single race. We won the constructors championship because we had that."
The Briton expected Rosberg to turn into a winner with Mercedes after four seasons without a victory at Williams. "I think Nico will flower," he remarked. - Reuters
© 1999 - 2010 Cape Times & Independent Online (Pty) Ltd. All rights reserved.