Michael Schumacher has pointed the finger at his first formula one boss Eddie Jordan as he recalled his grand prix debut 20 years ago.
At Spa-Francorchamps this weekend, the seven time world champion is marking the passing of two decades since he burst onto the scene with Jordan.

It was a one-off event as Schumacher, then 22, was snapped up after Belgium by Benetton after qualifying in seventh place.

But his actual race lasted less than a lap when he retired with a broken clutch.

“The story is that we had problems in the warmup,” Schumacher, now racing with Mercedes, wrote in a celebratory column for Auto Motor und Sport.

“I pointed it out at the de-briefing and we talked about whether we should change the clutch or not, but Eddie said that would cost too much money. Then it broke,” added the German.

Schumacher also recalled how he and his then manager Willi Weber had stayed in a hostel that weekend.

“I remember I was surprised because I had thought ‘Yes, I am now in formula one, the premier class’. I was not particularly bothered with the hostel except that it was cold and the heater didn’t work,” he said.

Weber had negotiated his charge’s F1 debut after Jordan regular Bertrand Gachot was jailed for attacking a London taxi driver.

Weber told Jordan that Schumacher knew Spa well.

“I have to clarify the story that we lied about it,” Schumacher said. “Eddie had asked Willi if I had raced there before and Willi said yes, because he could not imagine that I had never been there.”

Jordan reportedly wanted to draft in the experienced Stefan Johansson, but Schumacher’s Sauber-Mercedes sports car team – headed by Peter Sauber – offered $150,000 in sponsorship.

“That was a pretty penny for a single grand prix,” Sauber told the SID news agency this week.

The Swiss believes that Mercedes’ other hotshoe, Heinz Harald Frentzen, “had a similar amount of talent and perhaps even a little more”.

But Schumacher was “a hard worker, very ambitious, mentally strong and also so well prepared physically. It soon became apparent that he was a very special talent”, added Sauber.

“You also need talent and technical knowledge and if you get all these factors close to 100 per cent, you get Michael Schumacher who wins seven titles.”

Sauber said Schumacher or Weber never repaid the $150,000.

“He didn’t have to,” Sauber explained. “He was under contract to us and it was quite normal that we allowed him to have his first race.

“Ultimately it didn’t work for us because Mercedes didn’t come in as a works team and so we could not keep him.”

Schumacher retired from F1 at the end of 2006 but returned three years later with Mercedes, where he is under contract for next year and even considering prolonging his comeback.

Eddie Jordan told The Sun this week: “Michael really is an old fart. He’s had his time.

“I don’t think his legacy has been affected yet by what has happened in his comeback. But he has to make sure he gets the timing of his exit from F1 right.”

The decision about a possible Formula 1 entry of VW brand is approaching: An important strategy meeting in early November.

If the “World Engine” holds in F1 feeder, then the Volkswagen group knocks on the door to the premier class. This statement has Motorsortrepräsentant Hans-Joachim Stuck made in recent months and over again. Since currently the new engine rules for the period from 2013 is on track, the time for a decision in Wolfsburg has also come soon.

In early November, it will give the group an important strategy meeting, “in which the procedure is discussed,” said Stuck to the ‘SID’. It is expected that at this important meeting not only advise on whether you want to climb in Formula 1, but discuss the same time, with any brand, this step would be most welcome.

Recent statements from the Porsche Executive Board had ensured that one could look at the Zuffenhausen as the first candidate from the camp of VW. But according to information from ‘Motor-Total.com’ a Formula 1 commitment from Audi is more probable. VW will decide, according to plaster at the meeting and a possible investment in the American NASCAR.

Mercedes motorsport boss Norbert Haug looks for Paul di Resta is a good chance to rise from the test used driver in Formula 1.

Although Force India formally protested to want to continue with Adrian Sutil and Vitantonio Liuzzi, it is likely that Paul di Resta. Next year will take one of the two cockpits. At least Mercedes motorsport boss Norbert Haug sees considerable scope for a change of his protege in the premier class.

“I think he has a good chance in the formula first I hope of course that he stays with us, but I also know that he perform the Formula 1 now has a chance if he has one. I would support that, “said Haug, adding: ‘It may be that he will drive next year in Formula 1. It is not certain, but he has a good chance.”
The German needs to know, finally, he is not only di Resta’s head of sport in the DTM, but also an engine supplier for Force India, where the 24-year-old cousin of IndyCar star Dario Franchitti as the third driver is under contract. Is very possible that Mercedes will have to play his influence to obtain a Ohata carriage of the Mercedes factory pilots.

“Many said that the double burden of Formula 1 does not work, but Paul has shown that he can,” says Haug. Moreover, speaking for the DTM, if one can be developed from the series in the formula first Gary Paffett did that once before, at least up to the test driver. “

As rumours persist that Timo Glock might be looking to move on, it emerges that Virgin has been in contact with Esteban Guerrieri about a 2011 race seat.

German Glock has a firm two-year contract with the struggling new British team, but he has been mentioned in connection with the potentially vacant seat next year alongside Robert Kubica at Renault.

He has been playing down those rumours in recent days, but this week admitted that running at the back of the grid has not been easy for him.

“For someone like me who has won the GP2 title and been on the podium with Toyota several times, it is no secret that it is not easy to be at the back,” Glock is quoted by DPA news agency.

The 28-year-old said he still wants to win the F1 championship one day.

“If I didn’t think this, and did not do everything I can to make it a reality, then I would not belong in the premier class of motor racing,” said Glock.

As those rumours swirl, it emerges from Argentina that the government could be set to support the potential F1 debut of 25-year-old Buenos Aires-born driver Esteban Guerrieri.

Local reports say there has been contact between his manager, Julio Gutierrez, and Virgin team boss John Booth, and also that the Formula Renault 3.5 driver has met with the Argentine interior minister.

“It was a very good meeting,” said manager Gutierrez. “The minister expressed his intention to collaborate so that Esteban can reach formula one.”

Guerrieri said: “I think the time is right to try (F1). I have an invitation from the Virgin team and we’re working on it, because in principle to get one of their seats we need to have about 8 million dollars.

“There should be developments within September, and the limit would be November.”

The Argentine government was also involved in the ill-fated 2010 deal between Jose Maria Lopez and the abortive USF1 team.

With Nick Heidfeld at the wheel of a Toyota TF109 Pirelli is currently testing in Mugello – tires for Formula 1 and GP2 will be the same in future.

It is serious for Pirelli, the future Formula 1 tire manufacturer who will replace the previous incumbent Bridgestone in 2011 for at least three years, today officially launched at Mugello quasi with preparations for the coming season. At the wheel sat the test carrier as announced Nick Heidfeld.

The former Mercedes test driver took a Toyota TF109 from last season site, used by the company based in Cologne TTE, a remnant of former Toyota Formula 1 team. The main objective of the two-day test is to get the new tires and to collect valuable data for further development in the coming months. In this regard, Heidfeld will describe his impressions and give input.
However, it is not at the Mugello test track at the premiere of the forthcoming Pirelli tires. This took place in July with a GP2 test carrier in Le Castellet. For what many do not know: According to information of ‘Motorsport-Total.com’ Pirelli will offer in 2011 for Formula 1 and GP2, the same types of tires. This helps the GP2 as a springboard to the premier class, and also saves costs.

The Italian tire manufacturer will continue the test at home tomorrow. Then there are five more tests with the TTE test carrier on the program before it will be the week after the season finale in Abu Dhabi, the first tests of all the teams with the new Pirelli tires. Insiders expect that the tires are beginning to turn more conservative, after all do not want to stand out by Pirelli defects.

With the race in Austin in 2012 may Bernie Ecclestone’s Formula 1 flag at last hoisted again in the U.S.. The Americans have the land, the money, a promoter – that is the step back to the “land of opportunity” to reason. In recent years, however, had also made the class involved in the premier manufacturers and teams always pressure in this direction.

Austin will write a success story. According to the local conditions are all responsible for it. But from the perspective of Formula 1 boss Ecclestone missing at least one crucial factor: A US-American pilot. “A woman like Danica Patrick in F1 would be a dream,” the 79-year-old Briton said recently.
The prominent IndyCar-driver was being considered from time to time in the center of Sekulationen a possible change in the formula 1, including a test with Honda was originally. But this never materialized. Patrick dismissed all rumors about the formula one far away, they focused more on the IndyCar series and their first steps in the NASCAR environment.

“I think the girls have it pretty hard,” said Vitantonio Liuzzi to ‘ESPN’. The Italian Force India pilot speaks from Patrick Co. and not the athletic prowess. But: “Danica would be great for public display, but you have that the formula is a much harder – both physically and psychologically.”
“Is to drive in Formula 1 front lot in difficult than you think,” said Liuzzi. “I doubt, then, that would work something like this. But Bernie has always great ideas. And he’s the boss. You know it therefore never!” What does Liuzzi, But not openly expressed: If Ecclestone wants something, he gets it mostly well. In an emergency, the wallet is opened.

“It is something we have experienced in F1 in the past many times. I would not wonder,” Liuzzi said to believe that you could buy one for Danica Patrick cockpit. The premier class since 1992, waiting on a woman in the cockpit. At that time, Giovanna Amati failed with a Brabham always to the qualification. Lella Lombardi was more successful: The Italian managed it in 1975 in Spain in sixth.

Paul di Resta in Valencia again gets the chance on Friday to show his talent. The Force India test driver in the morning to climb into the cockpit of Adrian Sutil, Vitantonio Liuzzi as the track in Valencia does not know and therefore needed every yard. Also at Silverstone di Resta must gain experience in the premier class. There, he will then take the vehicle from Liuzzi.

Originally it was planned that the DTM-Star on Friday often is used. Monaco was augrund the unique characteristics of the track not on the plan. In Turkey and Canada in Force India began the first time an F-bay system. Thus, both race drivers were able to get used to the handling, di Resta could only work in the background.
So far, the Scot completed three missions. In Melbourne (11th place), Sepang (15) and Spain (13) showed di Resta that he was also a Formula 1 racing car comes well clear. “I was not now for some time in the car. I think Valencia is a good way to go back,” di Resta is looking forward to his role.

Ferrari intensifies for the decisive phase of the Formula 1 World Championship in the technician field. The Italian team of the Spanish world champion Fernando Alonso Ex-bound former McLaren chief engineer Pat Fry and hoped for, according to the Gazzetta dello Sport ‘by the British also had a decisive impact for the season 2011th

Fry had dissolved his contract with Ferrari rivals McLaren recently after more than eight years. His career in the premier class of the 46-year-old had started in 1987 with Benetton. Alonso shows in the World Cup driver standings after eight of 19 races as the best Ferrari driver in fourth place, while the team from Maranello in the constructors’ standings to third place is.
Pat Fry was brought to his departure from McLaren, with several Formula 1 teams as possible. Among their tasks, even Red Bull and Mercedes have been interested in the 46-year-old British. When the renowned engineer will take up his duties at the new employer in Maranello is as yet unclear.

For the first time since 1994, the name Senna in Formula 1 start list. The season opener went for Bruno yet resinous. In eight races of the Brazilians saw only twice in 16th the checkered flag. The HRT is not only slow but also difficult to control. Nevertheless, the 26-year-old is happy to be a member in the premier class. Well, must follow the next step.

“Formula 1 is so difficult that one can not imagine. One can only react,” Senna is quoted by Auto Motor und Sport ‘. “In the first two or three races I had severe adjustment problems of the sports cars I’ve driven in the past year, back on formula cars. At a certain point, I got my normal F1 driving style found again.”
The greatest successes celebrated Senna in the British Formula 3, which he finished as joint Ritter (2006), and in the GP2. In the junior formula, which is held under Formula 1, missed the youngster the title in 2008 only just. “I was always one of the top drivers. Therefore, it is now very ugly for me so far to go back. Especially the Überrundetwerden is bad because you can focus fully on your race and not your strategy.”

Talk big, triple world champion Ayrton’s nephew Senna has already beaten around. This includes the announcement that he may be in a better car champion. “What is clear is that easy to say but difficult to put into practice. But I think basically because I have the potential. Whenever I had to take another step, I’ve done.”

Robert Kubica and Montreal – that’s a Hochschaubahn: 2007 pilot of the accident, the then BMW Sauber F1 Team at the hairpin difficult, but escaped miraculously with minor injuries. A year later he led a complete surprise double victory of his team ahead of Nick Heidfeld – it was the only win for the Bavarians in the premier class. Last year there was no race in Montreal – Kubica this year but returns to the Ile de Notre Dame. “The Grand Prix of Canada is something like my destiny race,” says the poles ‘Auto Bild motorsport’.

And so he feels: This year a sensation in the air – “with little luck.” Because: “The course our car will be. It’s fast on the straights and is as wonderfully out of slow corners. It is these properties are required in Montreal.” The strength in tight corners is based on the small wheel base of the Renault R30 – no current Formula 1 racing car can compete in this discipline with Kubica’s car. It showed the team had in Monaco, where the 25-year-old is the sharpest of the superior competitor Red Bull pilot was.

And although the Renault engine has a power deficit, Kubica and Vitaly Petrov scores are in the top speed is always at the front – reason is the low air resistance of the R30. Moreover, the French have for the Grand Prix of Canada, a secret weapon in the quiver: the first time is given to an in-house interpretation of the F-shaft system, which turned out on the long straights of the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve as a great advantage. Now the only question is whether the system works right away, or if you have it like Red Bull in Turkey to expand after the first test.

That will leave Robert Kubica after just one season, the team Renault is unlikely. After Felipe Massa contract extension with Ferrari in Maranello in 2012 the door is closed. Even if the pole for 2011 is not linked to Renault, there are few other enticing options. This Renault boss Eric Boullier had managed to retain its number-one pilots in 2011 and to his team. The Luxembourg wants to build the Renault racing team to head the Polish pilots around.

(MotorSportsTotal)