Schumacher looks at continuing relationship with Mercedes
'There is no plan as such as to what I am going to do exactly after the end of this year. I have various options'
Seven times Formula one champion Michael Schumacher has said that working with Mercedes will be an option that he would consider after he retires from the sport this year the second time. Endorsing a real estate project, the London-based Homestead’s Michael Schumacher World Tower in Gurgaon, the German driver said that India is an important market given that the F1 race track was sold out in terms of spectators in a new country.
“There is no plan as such as to what I am going to do exactly after the end of this year. I have various options -- there is a possibility to continue work with Mercedes in different directions but the main point for me right now is to keep focus on what I am doing,” said Schumacher.
On how his life will be after retirement and staying away from F1, he said that it will be quite peaceful.
Schumacher, retired from F1 in 2007 when he was with Ferrari and returned on the circuit in 2010 with Mercedes. During his retirement in 2007 he continued working with Ferrari as an advisor.
In India for the F1 Grand Prix, he said that he did not miss sitting in the F1 car in the the three years without 'too much Formula 1'. “But when Ross Brawn called to explain to me the situation I felt I am called for a mission and this is the main reason. I was called for a project that we wanted to develop.”
But was the mission successful?, Schumacher said “We haven't made the Mercedes mission successful yet. But I don’t remember any such mission being possible in just 3 years. Red bull took five years, Ferrari took 5 years and most teams too took longer. We started form a scratch," added the Mercedes driver.
The Indian Grand Prix kicked off today with the practice session,where Red Bull driver Sebastian Vettel recorded the fastest time.
On brand Schumacher and endorsement in the country, he said that he is now entering the Indian market not only with F1 but also with property and real estate, which has a lot of interest among people. “We have sold a major percentage of our building already.”
The apartments in the project start at Rs 4 crore and range from four-bedroom flats to penthouses. Each level in the building is called a lap to give it a sporty feel.
This time as well, Schumacher said that he would be meeting Sachin Tendulkar. “I expect him to come. I am pretty sure we will be meeting.”