His performances this season have been far from satisfying so far, with the German barely making the Q3s in qualifying and settling for Top 10 point finishes only. In the first two rounds of the 2010 season, the 7-time world champion didn't once fight for podium positions, settling for fewer points down the field.
Also, his much younger teammate Nico Rosberg has outpaced the 41-year old constantly so far, in both qualifying and race. The former is 11 points ahead the ex-Ferrari-an in the drivers classification, and has been praised by the team's officials in recent weeks for his strong run with Mercedes GP.
However, as Schumacher's deal with Mercedes was signed for the upcoming 3 seasons, the German racer decided to step down from his driving position and settle for a reserve role for the rest of the 2010 season. Sources from within the Brackley based team have told us that Schumacher is likely to decide whether he'll return to the series better prepared in 2011 or take another position within the Mercedes GP organization.
Bad news for Schumacher and his fans is only good news for Nick Heidfeld, who will finally get to continue his racing career in the series as new Mercedes teammate of Nico Rosberg. Earlier this week, the former BMW racer had expressed his regrets over not being able to secure a drive in the series for the 2010 season.
Heidfeld is to take Schumacher's place in the Mercedes W01 cockpit from as early as tomorrow's practice session in Malaysia.
UPDATE: This was obviously our Fouls' Day joke this year :)
Google News