Bernie Ecclestone once explained why he never wanted Michael Schumacher to return to F1 with Mercedes

Follow us on Google Discover

Michael Schumacher is one of the most decorated drivers in the history of Formula 1, and had a career that spanned more than 20 years.

Eddie Jordan handed Schumacher his debut at the 1991 Belgian Grand Prix, and although he didn’t even reach the end of the first lap, it was clear that he was a special talent.

Benetton didn’t hesitate, and Flavio Briatore signed Michael Schumacher at the end of the race, and the rest is history.

Two drivers’ championships with Benetton in 1994 and 1995 were followed by an utterly dominant period with Ferrari.

The early 2000s were when Schumacher cemented his legacy as one of Formula 1’s best-ever drivers, but he eventually retired in 2006 when Fernando Alonso became a two-time champion.

However, Mercedes called Schumacher out of retirement four years later when they arrived in the paddock, pairing the seven-time world champion with Nico Rosberg.

Unfortunately, it wasn’t a spell that went particularly well for the German, and Bernie Ecclestone once explained why he should never have returned after his time with the Scuderia.

READ MORE: Everything to know about Michael Schumacher, from F1 career to net worth

Bernie Ecclestone said Michael Schumacher should never have returned with Mercedes

Speaking via Autosport after Schumacher decided to quit F1 once again in 2012, Ecclestone said: “I would rather he had stopped as a seven-time world champion than stopping now.

“People new to the sport – people who have joined the F1 fan fraternity just recently – will remember Michael now, not as he was.

“They don’t see the hero that he was, but the human that can fail.

“I think the important thing is – and this is probably difficult – to know when you can’t do what you used to do anymore and then hand it over to somebody else.

“I hope that’s what I can do. When I feel I can’t deliver, I will certainly say goodbye.”

Change my mind: Michael Schumacher and Rubens Barrichello are the best Ferrari teammates in history

Comment

Like or Comment

Have your say Sign-in now for free

Speaking about whether the sport would still miss Schumacher despite his potentially ill-advised return, Ecclestone continued: “He enjoyed racing and was there helping to do good things for Formula 1.

“We will miss Michael, because even though he wasn’t winning races in those three years, he is still very popular.”

When asked whether Ecclestone could find a way to keep Schumacher close to Formula 1 after ending his role as a driver, the former F1 supremo said: “Well, we wouldn’t, and we couldn’t keep him in another role because he is too close to Mercedes. It would have been easier when he was still close to Ferrari, I guess.

“He doesn’t have to work, he doesn’t have to worry, and he can do what he wants to do. Doesn’t that sound good?”

READ MORE: All you need to know about Mercedes F1 Team from team principal to lineage

What happened during Michael Schumacher’s spell racing in Formula 1 with Mercedes?

Schumacher tested cars and bikes after his 2006 exit at Ferrari, but only returned to full-time racing with Mercedes four years later.

In 2009, Ferrari considered re-hiring Schumacher after Felipe Massa was injured, but instead turned to Luca Badoer, as the German had previously had a serious bike accident that left him unable to race at 100%.

Mercedes were a midfield team when they returned to the grid in 2010 after taking over the Brawn GP outfit, with Schumacher finishing ninth, eighth and 13th in the three seasons he raced for them.

He was denied a pole position in Monaco due to a penalty and secured his only podium for the team at the 2012 European Grand Prix.

For context, his teammate Rosberg finished seventh twice and ninth in the three years they were together, highlighting that Schumacher was no longer at his best.

There are parallels that could be drawn with Lewis Hamilton’s move to Ferrari, but only if his 2026 campaign under the new regulations doesn’t go to plan.