Sauber Open to Signing Schumacher if Mercedes Exit Confirmed for 2013
Peter Sauber has stated he would sign Michael Schumacher for 2013 if the seven-time champion leaves Mercedes, as speculation intensifies around the Formula One driver market.
Peter Sauber has made clear he would be prepared to sign Michael Schumacher for the 2013 Formula One season if the seven-time world champion is left without a seat at Mercedes. The comment comes as speculation grows around Schumacher’s future and the wider 2013 driver market.
In September 2012, with Schumacher’s contract at Mercedes set to expire, Eddie Jordan publicly claimed that Lewis Hamilton was poised to take the seat. According to reports, Jordan based his prediction on a conversation with Bernie Ecclestone, adding credibility to the rumour. This left Schumacher’s future in question, as Mercedes had not confirmed its 2013 line-up.
Peter Sauber, whose Mercedes-backed sports car team gave Schumacher his break in international racing more than twenty years earlier, told Germany’s Auto Motor und Sport that he would sign Schumacher “immediately” if the opportunity arose. Sauber’s comment underlined the respect between the two and suggested the Swiss team would be willing to offer Schumacher a route to remain in Formula One should Mercedes choose not to renew his contract.
Schumacher’s position central to 2013 driver market
At the time, Schumacher’s decision was seen as a key factor in the 2013 Formula One driver market. If he left Mercedes, it would trigger a series of moves involving top teams and drivers. Felipe Massa’s future at Ferrari was also uncertain, adding further intrigue to the market. Teams and drivers were waiting on Schumacher’s plans before making final decisions.
- Hamilton linked with a move from McLaren to Mercedes.
- Felipe Massa’s Ferrari seat not confirmed for 2013.
- Sauber open to signing Schumacher if available.
Sauber’s driver options and Schumacher’s legacy
Sauber’s interest in Schumacher was rooted in their long-standing connection and the team’s search for experience to lead its line-up. While the Swiss squad had been developing young talent, the chance to bring in a driver of Schumacher’s calibre would have been a major coup. Sauber’s willingness to sign Schumacher also reflected the team’s ambition to remain competitive in a shifting Formula One field.
In the end, Schumacher left Mercedes at the close of 2012 and did not return to Sauber or any other team for the following season. His departure and Hamilton’s arrival at Mercedes reshaped the grid for 2013. Sauber continued with its existing plans, but Peter Sauber’s public offer highlighted the enduring respect for Schumacher’s achievements and the team’s readiness to adapt in a volatile driver market.
For more on Schumacher’s later life and recovery, see Schumacher Showing 'Small Improvements', Manager Reports in Barcelona.
