Michael Schumacher’s former manager Willi Weber still regrets the German’s decision to return to Formula 1 with Mercedes in 2010.
With his legacy already set in stone, the seven-time world champion surprised many when he came back alongside Ross Brawn for the relaunch of the German manufacturer’s works team after their takeover of the Brawn GP outfit a decade ago.
But though it was great to see Schumacher compete against the likes of Lewis Hamilton, Sebastian Vettel and others, his three-year stint wasn’t particularly successful with only one podium to his name at Valencia in 2012.
Recently, former Ferrari designer John Barnard offered a theory as to why that was the case, pointing to a unique set-up Michael liked which favoured front-end grip rather than a planted rear that most drivers prefer.
“I see it 100 percent the same way,” Weber told Kolner Express newspaper.
“Michael had this special car set-up for his style and didn’t get it from the Mercedes.
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“The newer cars had developed in a different direction, and Michael couldn’t influence the technology as much as he could at Benetton and Ferrari.
“That is true, but after Ross [Brawn] could not improve the car much after 2009 and Rosberg was suddenly the faster one, Michael couldn’t compensate for that.
“It was a different technology and driver generation, even though Michael was as fit as ever.”
Weber has previously admitted he didn’t agree with Schumacher’s decision to return to F1 four years after retiring.
And though the 51-year-old is often accredited for helping create the juggernaut Mercedes is today, his former manager hasn’t changed his mind.
“Michael failed at Mercedes. If only he had listened to me,” he added.
“He tried everything and together with Rosberg they made the car faster so that Mercedes could be world champion so many times. But it [returning] was still unnecessary.”