Schumacher Negotiated F1 Return on His Own

Michael Schumacher did not get any help from his long-time manager Willi Weber in Formula One-return negotiations with Ross Brawn. Although insisting that Weber continues to be his manager, Schumacher admitted that his contractual negotiations with Mercedes GP were handled only by him, this move saving him some 700,000 euro in the end.

“I am now old enough to take care of a few things for myself,” Schumacher was quoted as saying by Germany's Bild newspaper.

Needless to say, in any negotiation carried out by one manager, the latter has to get a certain percentage of what he manages to secure his client. With Schumacher getting 7 million euro guaranteed by Mercedes for his first year of contract, what would have led to Weber getting no less than 700,000 euro (as he usually gets 10 percent of the deal).

The 41-year old German driver decided to carry out the negotiations with former boss Ross Brawn on his own, therefore saving some money in the process. However, he and Weber will not end their collaboration in the future, as the German manager will continue to work on attracting sponsorship money for Schumacher.

“Willi Weber is and remains my manager and my friend. We cooperate as well as ever,” added Schumacher, according to the aforementioned source.

Weber has been guiding Schumacher's steps in motor racing since the 1980s, the two currently having one of the most long-lasting managerial relationships in the history of the sport.