Ralf to Toyota (Again)

[Led ZeppF1]

Well, Ralf Schumacher appears to be on the verge of signing with every team except his current one, Williams, for next year.

And, this latest news about Ralf-Toyota link. According to Revved Up the 28-year-old is ready to put his signature on a deal with the Cologne-based team worth around £12 million.

http://www.planet-f1.com/Home/story_14647.shtml

[dangeradam]

Its still beyond me why anyone would pay him that much, surely they could put Ryan Briscoe or another young gun in the car for around 1 mil per year even if they break a few bits your a long way ahead.

[Big Mac]

I agreed with your thoughts dangeradam. I can see Ralfie benefiting alot more than Toyota as a result of this "deal." I certianly don't think he is what Toyota need...look at his past record. I cant see Ralf as a "Team leader." In all honesty, Ralf's had a softish ride in F1 i feel (Jordan 97-98, Willies til now.) Does Ralf have the skills nessecary to "lift" and drive from a position such as Toyota's current and, in the short term future (2006-08) challenge for the title. I think not. As a driver, even in team with Williams vast experiance and pedigree, i dont think he's ever been thought of as a true title contenter. Toyota would be, i believe, much better off by pouring Ralfs millions onto their young drive pool and develope from within.

Phew!! I feel better now! Let wait and see how the cookie crumbles.

[John Abrahamsen]

I hope this is not true. Toyota have more than enough with Panis, da Matta, Briscoe or even Zonta. I don`t see any problems with having da Matta and Panis in 2005. Still a very strong line-up imo. da Matta are proven champion and showed some really good strength in 2003. Panis didnt really show to much in races, but he were flying in quali at times, like in Indy (TF103 were not a "great" car). Briscoe can put in miles of track time before a race seat in 2006, he have been test driver for Toyota since 2002 and probably knows his way around. Zonta will be running all weekends this year (most likely ), and might be brought up to speed, he`s still not passed 30 .

I bet Ralf would have had problems following any of them in a exact same car... He`s nothing compared to TGF, locking up in quali runs and making huge mistakes. He can`t even work properly with his team mate...

[Mattracer]

Another money down the drain situation along the lines of BAR/Villeneuve and Irvine/Jaguar.

Ironically, Williams do not allow themselves to be swayed by finacila demands, if a driver asks for more than they are willing to pay vs R&D, he's gone. Happened many times over now.

[Hugh Jarce]

I agree with Mattracer.

Ralf needs Toyota more than they need him. If they are looking for a more experienced driver I'd prefer DC any day.

I wondwer if Panis' seat will be and they'll keep da Matta for continuity.

[jj2728]

i'd say keep damatta for continuity...

[Super Tourer]

It's surprising that Toyota don't look at Williams business model and take note. If Ralf was that good, that valuable to a team and worth the investment - surely Williams, or more importantly the BMW element of the team, would keep him.

The whole JPM thing is a different story, FW would have kept Montoya under their own terms, not his - but the jury is out on who will get the last laugh over that one. On present performance JPM looks like it may have been a bad move in the short term, although I'm sure McLaren will get it right in the end.

Toyota are undoubtedly going to throw money at F1 until they either see the success they want or get fed up. I can see the logic of hiring Gascoyne at vast expense, as he is one of only a handfull of people in F1 that can turn out a race winning car. I can't see what Ralf brings to the table that justify's that sort of cost, when the same job could be done as well, or better, by other (cheaper) candidates.

[Kicking-back]

The way things are going, Ralf could find himself out of Formula One because of his (Willi Weber's) excessive wage demands.

He won't be missed.