29/08/2009
NEWS STORY
Following Luca do Montezemolo's call for teams to be allowed to field three cars from 2010, Ferrari team boss Stefano Domenicali has said that if the proposal were to be approved, Michael Schumacher would be the team's obvious choice for the third car.
"It is true that we are pushing (for three cars)," Domenicali told the Times. "We feel that it is for the benefit of Formula One and it is better to make sure that the biggest teams have three cars because that's what people want. With all respect to the smaller teams, the value of Formula One is to have good drivers, great personalities in good cars and with a great brand."
With question marks hanging over Renault and Toyota, and continued speculation as to whether the three new teams will actually be on the 2010 now that the budget cap has been scrapped, there are fears that - bearing in mind the withdrawal of BMW - the 2010 grid might be smaller than this year rather than larger. Consequently, the idea of three-car teams is once again being mooted, and will be discussed when the teams' alliance (FOTA) convenes at Monza. It is thought that McLaren is also keen on the idea.
While a neck injury has ruled Schumacher out of a return to F1 this season, Domenicali is hopeful that the German can make a full recovery and return to the sport, especially if a third race seat is on offer.
"It is correct to say that, if everything is fine, why not see him in one of our cars?" said the Italian.
However, many within the paddock believe that should the third-car proposal be given the go-ahead it should be reserved for upcoming drivers.