Schumacher has not yet decided his future

Michael Schumacher, despite his beautiful podium in Valencia, is always at the center of speculation in the German press regarding his renewal for next season with Mercedes.

Although he was helped in part by the retirements of Sebastian Vettel, Romain Grosjean and Lewis Hamilton at the European GP, ​​the seven-time world champion deserved his third place and was seen as emotional as ever. And like him, many fans in Italy also greeted with emotion the German's return to the podium, on a day in which, by a twist of fate, it was the first Ferrari driver who won and whoever took Schumi's place came in second place in Red and who then left room for Alonso. Seeing Fernando, with Kimi Raikkonen and Schumi was also exciting for Luca Cordero di Montezemolo: “I saw all three champions of 'my' Ferrari embracing”, said the president of Cavallino, “and thinking back to the many extraordinary victories of the last fifteen years and the people who contributed to them, from Michael to Kimi, from Todt to the other drivers, from the technicians to the mechanics, I was moved”.

On podium number 156 Schumacher was in similar conditions: he forgot his old routine and made a mess in the press conference, speaking in English when he was asked to tell his fans about the race in his native language. The Mercedes driver started talking, then realized his mistake, burst out laughing and then started again, “Maybe it's better if you speak German now”, he said, provoking general laughter. “Yes, the choice to return to F was right! and it is these moments that surely give you immense pleasure. The team and I have been criticized here and there, especially lately, and this is the best way to respond to the detractors. I am proud, grateful and very excited”. But Schumi avoided answering questions about a new contract for 2013 “I apologize, I have no further information on this matter,” continued the former Ferrari driver. “I need the time I need to decide and then we'll see”. Niki Lauda said Schumi is still at the top: “His qualifying in Monaco was world class, and as we saw in Valencia, he is still one of the fastest if all goes well.”, the Austrian told the Kleine Zeitung newspaper.

Lorena Bianchi