Daimler chairman Dieter Zetsche has invited Michael Schumacher to stay in the Mercedes family in a non-racing role. "My personal wish is that he (Schumacher) remains a partner of our enterprise after his active time in the Mercedes cockpit," he is quoted by the Bild am Feiertag newspaper. Actually, it is believed the seven time world champion - having been told he is being replaced for 2013 by Lewis Hamilton - is weighing up his options elsewhere on next year's grid. But Mercedes' motor racing […]

Sergio Perez was another candidate to oust Michael Schumacher at Mercedes, a German magazine claimed on Monday. Auto Motor und Sport said it means the great seven time world champion was therefore only the third choice to line up alongside Nico Rosberg in 2013, after Lewis Hamilton and Mexican Perez. Ultimately, Mercedes secured its number one choice Hamilton, leaving McLaren to sign Mexican Perez to succeed him -- and Schumacher out in the cold. Prior to signing Hamilton, "the Silver Arrows bosses had stretched out […]

Nico Rosberg insists he is not worried about playing second fiddle to Lewis Hamilton. The pair, who have known each other and even raced as teammates since their boyhood karting days, will each be driving one of Mercedes' F1 cars in 2013. German Rosberg has managed to dominate Michael Schumacher since the seven time world champion's 2010 comeback, but the 27-year-old might be forgiven for feeling more nervous about the similarly-aged Hamilton's arrival. But when asked if he is worried he will be Hamilton's 'number […]

Mercedes press release Following the signature of the commercial agreement with FOM this week by Mercedes-Benz, the MERCEDES AMG PETRONAS Formula One Team is pleased to announce that Lewis Hamilton has signed a three-year agreement to race for the team from the 2013 Formula One season. Lewis’ career has been supported by Mercedes-Benz and McLaren since its earliest days. In 2000, he and Nico Rosberg were team-mates at TeamMBM.com in Formula A karting. Lewis drove with Mercedes-Benz engines during his two seasons in the Formula […]

Mercedes parent Daimler has reportedly decided to stay in Formula One beyond 2012. In Singapore this weekend, rumours swirled in the paddock that the Stuttgart manufacturer is on the verge of pulling the plug. That, combined with the dithering over the 2012 Concorde Agreement, could explain the long delay in Lewis Hamilton's decision about whether to join the so-called 'Silver Arrows' in 2013. German sources had reported that Daimler chairman Dieter Zetsche has ordered cost cuts of more than a billion euros in the Mercedes […]

Amid all the hype about Lewis Hamilton's supposed move to Mercedes, the German squad appears to be preparing to extend Michael Schumacher's career. The major German daily Bild said 43-year-old Schumacher's negotiations about 2013 and beyond are now "in full swing". The report claims Mercedes is offering the seven time world champion a new contract for 2013, while Schumacher is apparently pushing for a unilateral option that would allow him to decide to keep racing in 2014 as well. The carmaker's motor racing president Norbert […]

Norbert Haug has admitted Mercedes is eyeing possible "contingencies", in the event Michael Schumacher does not race the German team's 2013 car. "Of course we have to plan for all contingencies," said Mercedes' competition vice-president, amid raging speculation Lewis Hamilton might sensationally switch from McLaren to drive in Schumacher's place next year. Haug is quoted by SID news agency as revealing the team is conducting "open and faithful" talks with Schumacher. And when asked about Hamilton, he added: "Lewis grew up with us (Mercedes) and […]

Christian Danner, a former grand prix driver and now German television pundit, is sure Michael Schumacher will still be on the grid in 2013. Seven time champion Schumacher, now 43, signed a three-year contract when he agreed to return to Formula One in 2010 with Mercedes. The two sides are yet to agree an extension for 2013 and beyond. But Norbert Haug, Mercedes' motor racing vice-president, ramped up speculation recently when he responded to a question about a new deal for Schumacher: "I doubt there […]

Norbert Haug has played down expectations Michael Schumacher's plans beyond the 2012 season will be discussed and decided during the month-long August break. With the seven time world champion's three-year 'comeback' contract set to expire this year, it might be said the big gap between Sunday's Hungarian grand prix and F1's next outing at fabled Spa-Francorchamps in early September is an ideal opportunity for his crucial talks with Mercedes. News of a new deal would also be timely, given Schumacher's special connection with the Belgian […]

Bernie Ecclestone is the epitome of imprecision on the subject of the Concorde Agreement and Mercedes. The F1 chief executive said recently that there is "total agreement" in the paddock about the future. But subsequent reports, essentially confirmed by Mercedes' Norbert Haug, indicated that Mercedes is in fact yet to sign on the dotted line. "I am sure Mercedes will soon issue a press release on the subject," Ecclestone told DAPD news agency when asked about Mercedes' apparent agreement. "I will speak with them at […]

Norbert Haug has indicated that Mercedes is not currently in the running to secure Sebastian Vettel's services. Although the extension of Michael Schumacher's contract appears likely, the cockpit alongside Nico Rosberg is theoretically open for 2013. "We will sit down with Michael and make a decision together," Mercedes' motor racing director Haug told DPA news agency. "There is no rush." Scottish racer Paul di Resta has been named as a possible successor to Schumacher, with Haug confirming that Mercedes will "not necessarily" look to pair […]

Mercedes has tweaked the design of its rear wing 'DRS' system following Michael Schumacher's latest technical glitch in Canada. Team boss Ross Brawn revealed that the redesign was done despite the fact it was a one-off failure on a "very well proven part". Regarding Schumacher's mysterious run of technical problems, the German squad is under immense pressure at a sensitive time, as the seven time world champion's contract is expiring. "I don't believe in fate, but it has been peculiar," Brawn admitted. The situation surrounding […]