M. Schumacher: « Team manager, it’s not for me »

Michael Schumacher revealed that he turned down an offer from Jean Todt inviting him to become the new team director of Ferrari because this task would have taken too much time for the German.

Todt left his position as head of the Italian team before the start of this season and was replaced by Stefano Domenicali.

The seven-time world champion Michael Schumacher, who retired from Formula 1 racing at the end of 2006, admitted that he could have replaced Todt but ultimately declined the offer.

« I had the opportunity to do what Jean Todt did in the past, that is, to become the race director of Ferrari, » stated Schumacher in an interview for the International Herald Tribune.

« But when I see how much work it is and the dedication he puts into it, sitting in Maranello, day after day, even on weekends and late at night, I thought to myself: ‘Should I do this? Well, no.’ »

Schumacher, who is occasionally a test driver for the Scuderia, added that he does not want to focus on a single project at the moment.

« I don’t want to lock myself into a single project. I want to be free and see what the next thing I want to do in my life will be. I am free now, I choose what I want to do. »

But the former champion acknowledged that he will need to find a new challenge because the passion is still very much present.

« I’m sure a new project will come my way and it will really interest me. I need this passion because I don’t want to just sit at a desk and watch time pass by. »