Although simply a rumor at the moment – as the Fernando Alonso drive for the prancing horse at Valencia – Schumacher making a forced comeback into the series is looked upon as Ferrari's only chance for the remainder of the 2009 season. Italian newspaper Gazzetta dello Sport headlined it on Monday quite eloquently: “Now Ferrari needs Schumi.”
Prior to Felipe Massa's accident on Saturday, it has emerged that Schumacher was about to announce the Maranello officials that he will not renew his deal with the Italian team from 2010 onwards. His current consultant contract with Ferrari will be terminated at the end of 2009.
However, under such a difficult situation, Ferrari seems to look at their 7-time world champion once again. Although his manager Willi Weber insisted Schumacher is not considering such an option, Domenicali seems to think otherwise.
“It would be wrong to say yes or no at this stage. We are going to think about it this week,” the Ferrari team boss told the Der Tagesspiegel newspaper, as reported by the GMM news agency.
If Schu will not change his mind, Ferrari's attention might turn to former Toro Rosso driver Sebastien Bourdais. The Frenchman recently lost his drive with the Faenza based outfit and is currently managed by Nicolas Todt, also Massa's manager. The other two choices will be, as expected, Ferrari's two test drivers Marc Gene and Luca Badoer.
“We are going to decide without pressure. When we make our decision, it will be a good one,” insisted Ferrari's CEO Luca di Montezemolo on Monday.
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