Schumacher misses Montezemolo

When Michael Schumacher was about to join Mercedes, even before this sensational transfer was made official, Luca di Montezemolo had expressed his attachment to the seven-time World Champion. “ The real Schumacher, the one I know, will be part of the family Ferrari for ever “, declared Luca di Montezemolo in December 2009. “ But it seems that he has a twin brother, identical in every way, who seems to want to come back to race in Formula 1 with Mercedes. I don't know him personally, but it seems we have nothing to offer him. We have two young drivers, Felipe Massa and Fernando Alonso, on whom we are counting a lot for next year. »

From now on, Michael Schumacher is no longer a Ferrari driver. Having crossed over to the enemy, Schumi drives for Mercedes and has abandoned the red overalls for the silver color of the German manufacturer. But all this does not prevent Luca di Montezemolo, president of Ferrari, from regretting the seven-time World Champion, who won five of his titles with Ferrari.

« At times I miss Schumacher, he declared on Gazzetta.it. We had wonderful years together. He gave so much to Ferrari, but also received so much. I have to say it?s my fault if he wanted to come back to Formula 1. » Lots of nostalgia in the words of a man who wanted to put Schumi back in the saddle. In July 2009, it was he who insisted to the German that he take the wheel again to replace Felipe Massa, injured during qualifying for the Hungarian Grand Prix.

Ultimately, this return did not happen, Michael Schumacher suffering too much at the time from his cervical vertebrae. But, having noticed Schumi's desire to race again, Luca di Montezemolo had insisted with the FIA ​​to be able to run a third car from this 2010 season. The measure not having passed, the German had chosen Mercedes to do his return to F1.

But Luca di Montezemolo does not hold grudges. Less than a week before the “match of the heart” (see elsewhere), the president of Ferrari admits that he thought of Schumi so that he could put on the studs alongside Felipe Massa, Fernando Alonso and Giancarlo Fisichella. “ A few days ago, I wanted to call him to ask him to play for our football team. But as our team bears the name Ferrari, I preferred to avoid it. »