According to former F1 champion Damon Hill, Schumacher was always regarded by his fellow drivers in the paddock as having a warm relationship with the ruling body. Apart from the obvious Jerez episode in 1997 – when he was docked all points in the championship following his “dirty” move on Jacques Villeneuve – Schu had the tendency of escaping FIA penalties when other believed he should have been punished.
The curious thing about Schumacher's return to Formula One is the fact that it happened in the very same season when his former team boss and close friend Jean Todt was elected new president of the FIA. From the looks of it, the Frenchman might be forced to pick sides next year: either Schumacher, or his former team Ferrari.
Last week, when asked by the reporters from French newspaper Le Figaro how he feels about Schumacher returning to Formula One, Todt made no secret from his close relationship with the soon-to-turn-41 German.
“He is part of my family, but it would be inappropriate for me to discuss his decisions. I leave it to him to comment,” said Todt.
Having said that, the Frenchman also announced the employment of former Ferrari engine boss Gilles Simon in the FIA organization, as the latter will focus completely on investigating new energies and environmental friendly solutions for the future of motor racing.
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