Mercedes believes that the expectations were too high for Schumacher

To say that Lewis Hamilton’s decision to join Mercedes in 2013 did not surprise more than a few would be an understatement. Many observers indeed question the sporting motivations of the Briton when considering that he is joining a team with only one pole position, 6 podiums, and one victory to its credit over the last three years, compared to 8 pole positions, 45 podiums, and 16 victories for McLaren in the same period.

Until a few weeks ago, the future of Mercedes in Formula One was uncertain, as the German team’s return to the premier category resembled the paths taken by Toyota and BMW in recent years. However, now that the star-branded company seems determined to settle in Formula One for the long term, after signing the Concorde Agreements, and as it prepares to move on from Michael Schumacher, Dieter Zetsche absolves the drivers of any responsibility for the current situation of the German team: « These past three years, we have not been able to provide our two drivers with a car capable of winning the majority of the races. With the engine, we were competitive, but not with the car. It would be completely wrong to blame Nico Rosberg or Michael Schumacher for anything, » as can be read in the columns of the *Bild*.

But, as Mercedes prepares to open a new chapter in its history with Lewis Hamilton, the time has come to take stock for Michael Schumacher, even if he apparently has not given up all hope of continuing his career in Formula One. Except for 1991, where he only participated in a few Grand Prix at the end of the season, Michael Schumacher experienced, with Mercedes, his worst years in terms of results. Indeed, aside from 1991, Schumacher had never before had a winless season, as was the case in 2010 and 2011; the German had never been ranked lower than fifth in the drivers’ standings, where he finished ninth and eighth in 2010 and 2011, and he is currently in twelfth place in the provisional 2012 standings. Finally, never has the red baron turned grey accumulated so few points at the end of a championship, as in the past two seasons, with an equivalent points system.

While for the less informed observers, the German’s record might seem like a failure, given the past achievements of the seven-time world champion, Dieter Zetsche believes, to absolve his driver, that given the name “Michael Schumacher,” the expectations were probably too high.

The German businessman, who also expressed the wish for Michael Schumacher to retain a role with Mercedes after his retirement from sports, admits to being relieved not to have been the one who had to announce to the champion the non-renewal of his contract: « However, I called him on the day the decision was announced, to talk with him. It was a very good discussion. »