“If I was Ferrari I would have Michael on the pit wall and not half-way here and half-way there. He would be making decisions a hundred times better than some engineer. What would I say to Ferrari? 'Use his experience! Put him up there!' There is no-one better,” said Lauda after the Malaysian Grand Prix.
The German and Italian media have initiated rumors regarding a potential involvement of the 7-time world champion in the disastrous tire choice for Kimi Raikkonen during the rain-shortened Malaysian race. However, the information was played down by Schumacher's manager Willi Weber, who insisted Schumacher's role with Ferrari is purely consultative.
Webber also revealed Schumacher is thinking of leaving the Scuderia at the end of this year – when his deal with the prancing horse is to expire – but the decision is not in any way related to the aforementioned rumors.
“The critics aimed at Schumacher are totally idiotic. His contract with Ferrari is to expire at the end of the season and I don't know if it's going to be extended. The attack on Schumacher doesn't make any sense. He knows everyone and he was only at Sepang by accident. The decisions from the pit wall were taken by the team, not by him,” revealed Webber for Italian newspaper Gazzetta dello Sport.
During the Sepang race, Kimi Raikkonen's car was fitted with wet tires, although the track was still very much dry. During the few laps the Finn completed until the rain finally appeared, the tires were already destroyed and Raikkonen was forced to come back to the pits for an extra pit stop. The mistake eventually cost the Finnish driver a points finish.
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