24/07/2005
NEWS STORY
Despite heavy criticism from current F1 drivers and long-retired World Champions, Michael Schumacher will be one of the twelve drivers to attend a meeting with Max Mosley in Cannes on August 1.
In the fall-out from the Indianapolis fiasco, 19 F1 race and test drivers signed a document expressing their concerns with regards the safety aspect at the American track. Schumacher was not a signatory to this document, nor was his Ferrari teammate Rubens Barrichello.
Subsequently a meeting was arranged for the Friday of the British Grand Prix, whereby the drivers would meet with FIA President Max Mosley.
However, following an interview that David Coulthard gave to the British media, in which the Scot criticised many of the rules introduced in recent years, Mosley cancelled the meeting, fearing that it was being hi-jacked for political purposes.
Consequently, a number of drivers sent a letter to Mosley questioning his commitment to safety, even though the Englishman has made the issue his personal 'crusade' over the years.
Although Michael Schumacher didn't sign the letter, teammate Barrichello did, while, curiously, Coulthard's was also absent - we say curiously because the Scot was widely perceived as the ring-leader of the entire campaign up until that point.
Since then, Schumacher has been accused by all manner of people of betraying his fellow drivers and putting the interests of his team first.
Therefore, it is nice to see that the seven-time World Champion is one of the twelve drivers making the trip to Cannes next month, along with Coulthard, Mark Webber, Jarno Trulli and Ralf Schumacher. Neither McLaren driver will attend, with both Juan Pablo Montoya and Kimi Raikkonen claiming that they will be on holiday.