Crazy rumor:BMW lines up $1bn payday for Schumacher

Imhotep Evil · 07-24-2006, 03:50 AM

Read it and...I don't know what to say

<>
LONDON - BMW has dangled hundreds of millions of dollars in front of motor racing star Michael Schumacher to drive for its Formula 1 team, which would be one of the industry's biggest marketing deals to date.

F1 Racing magazine has discovered secret talks between BMW, which last year bought the Sauber F1 team and is currently racing as BMW Sauber, and Schumacher's manager Willi Weber about signing him from Ferrari, with which he is contracted until 2007.

The seven-times F1 champion is 37 years old and is expected to retire soon, but could be tempted by what is claimed to be a possible $1bn payday offered by BMW.

He would be paid a $100m retainer, but extra money from merchandising, product endorsement and performance targets could take that to 10 figures.

BMW wants to build a big marketing campaign around the German driver, whose global and local relevance would provide a powerful pull for the brand. Schumacher has already appeared in marketing for brands such as Ferrari and Vodafone.

BMW Sauber F1, with drivers Jacques Villeneuve and Nick Heidfeld, is currently sixth in the 2006 constructors world championship. Schumacher is second in the drivers championship on 79 points, 17 points behind leader and current World Champion Fernando Alonso.

The full story is in the August issue of F1 Racing, due out tomorrow.
<>

Hypersonic · 07-24-2006, 04:10 AM

Wow ...if Schumacher does not take this offer .....BMW can call me ...I'll do the "dirty work" for a billion dollars

The Emperor · 07-24-2006, 04:44 AM

I hope this won't happen. I don't want to see M$ behind the wheel of BMW powered F1 car.

Imhotep Evil · 07-24-2006, 04:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TycoonGTR

I hope this won't happen. I don't want to see M$ behind the wheel of BMW powered F1 car.

Yep, I'd actually want Alonso and/or Kimi.

The Emperor · 07-24-2006, 04:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Imhotep Evil

Yep, I'd actually want Alonso and/or Kimi.

None of them! Bring back Montoya behind that wheel!!!

Osnabrueck · 07-24-2006, 06:18 AM

Part of me is very enticed by this idea, and another has second thoughts. It could be either a fiasco, or a big coup for BMW's long term F1 plans.

Tell you what - If it makes for a more exciting and sensational F1 then count me in. I'm optimistic about this news.

Gene · 07-24-2006, 07:27 AM

Personally I see this as a big lie.

Firstly BMW Sauber have openly stated that their goal for the next 2 or 3 years is not to win the championship, but to learn and improve. In fact the planned extensions of the Hinwil plant haven't even been started. I recall that Mario Thiessen said that even next year they are only going to start striving for podium finishes, but are definitely not in the hunt for the world championship.

On the other hand, there is Michael Schumacer who is getting way too old and is on the verge of retiring. He has openly stated that the only reason he is going to stay on in F1 is to win the championship one more time. Basically if MS and BMW join together, there is no chance that MS will win the championship because BMW is in a learning phase, and given his age, when BMW really do start to become front-runners, MS will be pretty much be past the peak.

Besides, its not like MS needs the money. Rumour has it that his latest contract with Ferrari is worth $60 million, not including sponsorship and endorsements, which would in total be worth around $200 million (don't hold me to those figures, I'm not too sure). On top of that his income is taxed in the lowest bracket, because in switzerland (where he lives) he is considered unemployed since car racing isn't a recognized job.
Plus it is said that he doesn't spoil his children at all, and wants them to learn the value of money, I read somewhere that he only gives them like $10-20 Euros pocket money a month. Although supposedly he has a go-kart track at the back of his house. So its not like he's got a use for it

(not that, that has stopped people in the past trying to get richer)

Michael · 07-24-2006, 07:43 AM

This is rather interesting. I never saw Mikey leaving Ferrari just because I knew that Ferrari would do antying to keep, but then again you never know. If he leaves that would be good for BMW, I don't see why not.

I was a big fan of Montoya and still am but isn't he in the Nascar seen?

Also, who wouldn't want to see Michael drive for BMW. That would be awesome. BMW would kick some arse! Then again there is only so much Mikey can do because it is also dependent on the staff and the car and many other contributing factors which many of us may ignore when considering Michael for a position such as this one. I think he is the best race car driver in the world. He is like a Michael Jordan, but in race car driving.

I really don't have mixed feelings about this. Now, if Montoya was in the BMW team and BMW was trying to get Michael in, then that would be a very weird pair because of their past. They both really don't get along.

I guess we will have to see if this is a joke or if it is real.

Michael · 07-24-2006, 07:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gene

, and wants them to learn the value of money, I read somewhere that he only gives them like $10-20 Euros pocket money a month. Although supposedly he has a go-kart track at the back of his house. So its not like he's got a use for it

(not that, that has stopped people in the past trying to get richer)

Hmmmm.... he is pretty cheap

Why does he live where he lives rather than living in Germany where he is from?

The Emperor · 07-24-2006, 07:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BMWFREAK

Also, who wouldn't want to see Michael drive for BMW.

Me, myself and i! Just can't imagine that and as already stated wouldn't want that to happen!

07-24-2006, 03:50 AM	#1 (permalink)
Imhotep Evil Devotee Join Date: Sep 2005 Posts: 3,889 Thanks: 248 Thanked 150 Times in 113 Posts	Crazy rumor:BMW lines up $1bn payday for Schumacher Read it and...I don't know what to say <> LONDON - BMW has dangled hundreds of millions of dollars in front of motor racing star Michael Schumacher to drive for its Formula 1 team, which would be one of the industry's biggest marketing deals to date. F1 Racing magazine has discovered secret talks between BMW, which last year bought the Sauber F1 team and is currently racing as BMW Sauber, and Schumacher's manager Willi Weber about signing him from Ferrari, with which he is contracted until 2007. The seven-times F1 champion is 37 years old and is expected to retire soon, but could be tempted by what is claimed to be a possible $1bn payday offered by BMW. He would be paid a $100m retainer, but extra money from merchandising, product endorsement and performance targets could take that to 10 figures. BMW wants to build a big marketing campaign around the German driver, whose global and local relevance would provide a powerful pull for the brand. Schumacher has already appeared in marketing for brands such as Ferrari and Vodafone. BMW Sauber F1, with drivers Jacques Villeneuve and Nick Heidfeld, is currently sixth in the 2006 constructors world championship. Schumacher is second in the drivers championship on 79 points, 17 points behind leader and current World Champion Fernando Alonso. The full story is in the August issue of F1 Racing, due out tomorrow. <>

07-24-2006, 04:10 AM	#2 (permalink)
Hypersonic Aficionado Join Date: Sep 2005 Posts: 5,374 Thanks: 861 Thanked 758 Times in 461 Posts	Re: Crazy rumor:BMW lines up $1bn payday for Schumacher Wow ...if Schumacher does not take this offer .....BMW can call me ...I'll do the "dirty work" for a billion dollars

07-24-2006, 04:44 AM	#3 (permalink)
The Emperor Malicious Persecutor Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Where noone has gone before... Posts: 9,141 My Mood: Thanks: 1,405 Thanked 1,566 Times in 952 Posts	Re: Crazy rumor:BMW lines up $1bn payday for Schumacher I hope this won't happen. I don't want to see M$ behind the wheel of BMW powered F1 car.

07-24-2006, 06:18 AM	#6 (permalink)
Osnabrueck Fanatic Join Date: Oct 2005 Posts: 1,858 Thanks: 233 Thanked 203 Times in 128 Posts	Re: Crazy rumor:BMW lines up $1bn payday for Schumacher Part of me is very enticed by this idea, and another has second thoughts. It could be either a fiasco, or a big coup for BMW's long term F1 plans. Tell you what - If it makes for a more exciting and sensational F1 then count me in. I'm optimistic about this news.

07-24-2006, 07:27 AM	#7 (permalink)
Gene Enthusiast Join Date: Sep 2005 Posts: 174 Thanks: 0 Thanked 39 Times in 20 Posts	Re: Crazy rumor:BMW lines up $1bn payday for Schumacher Personally I see this as a big lie. Firstly BMW Sauber have openly stated that their goal for the next 2 or 3 years is not to win the championship, but to learn and improve. In fact the planned extensions of the Hinwil plant haven't even been started. I recall that Mario Thiessen said that even next year they are only going to start striving for podium finishes, but are definitely not in the hunt for the world championship. On the other hand, there is Michael Schumacer who is getting way too old and is on the verge of retiring. He has openly stated that the only reason he is going to stay on in F1 is to win the championship one more time. Basically if MS and BMW join together, there is no chance that MS will win the championship because BMW is in a learning phase, and given his age, when BMW really do start to become front-runners, MS will be pretty much be past the peak. Besides, its not like MS needs the money. Rumour has it that his latest contract with Ferrari is worth $60 million, not including sponsorship and endorsements, which would in total be worth around $200 million (don't hold me to those figures, I'm not too sure). On top of that his income is taxed in the lowest bracket, because in switzerland (where he lives) he is considered unemployed since car racing isn't a recognized job. Plus it is said that he doesn't spoil his children at all, and wants them to learn the value of money, I read somewhere that he only gives them like $10-20 Euros pocket money a month. Although supposedly he has a go-kart track at the back of his house. So its not like he's got a use for it (not that, that has stopped people in the past trying to get richer)

07-24-2006, 07:43 AM	#8 (permalink)
Michael Super Moderator Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Florida Posts: 3,248 Thanks: 246 Thanked 340 Times in 205 Posts	Re: Crazy rumor:BMW lines up $1bn payday for Schumacher This is rather interesting. I never saw Mikey leaving Ferrari just because I knew that Ferrari would do antying to keep, but then again you never know. If he leaves that would be good for BMW, I don't see why not. I was a big fan of Montoya and still am but isn't he in the Nascar seen? Also, who wouldn't want to see Michael drive for BMW. That would be awesome. BMW would kick some arse! Then again there is only so much Mikey can do because it is also dependent on the staff and the car and many other contributing factors which many of us may ignore when considering Michael for a position such as this one. I think he is the best race car driver in the world. He is like a Michael Jordan, but in race car driving. I really don't have mixed feelings about this. Now, if Montoya was in the BMW team and BMW was trying to get Michael in, then that would be a very weird pair because of their past. They both really don't get along. I guess we will have to see if this is a joke or if it is real.

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