Mercedes boss Norbert Haug says McLaren will not stand in the way of Ferrari's request for Michael Schumacher to test the F60.
Mercedes boss says ex-champ should be allowed to test the F60
Mercedes motorsport boss Norbert Haug says McLaren will not stand in the way of Ferrari's request for Michael Schumacher to have a one-day test in this year's F60.
Schumacher is set to return to the sport in which he won seven World titles, replacing the injured Felipe Massa at the European GP at Valencia.
But given that Schumacher retired from F1 at the end of 2006 and a great deal has changed since, Ferrari have written to the FIA and their rival teams requesting that the German be permitted a one-day test in this year's F60. So far Schumacher has only put in laps in a 2007 Ferrari, fitted with GP2 tyres.
One team that is in favour of Schumacher being allowed the test is McLaren with Haug insisting that it would only be "fair" given the circumstances.
"Whatever we can do to support him we will do," he told
Autosport. "I just think it is fair. This is an exception. If Michael had said he would come back under the condition that he could test, everybody would have said yes.
Justifiable
"His team-mate has thousands of kilometres in this car, and he has nothing. As we are fair players, why should he not get some testing? I would be very open to that."
But just because McLaren-Mercedes are in favour, that doesn't mean the other eight teams on the grid will say yes.
"You will find some guys that will try to block it. But what goes around comes around. They will need some help at another stage. It's not giving people presents, it's being fair when it's justifiable."
As for the question about whether or not Schumacher could make an impact on the race results upon his return, Haug has warned that the 40-year-old should not be written off - test or no test.
"He is good enough that he could get the job done on Friday if the car is quick," he said. "Michael is a competitive guy, he will prepare himself in a very mature and thorough manner.
"If the car is a potentially winning car, then he will be able to win in it. The characteristics at Valencia are not too different to Hungary."
He added: "This is the best thing that can happen to Formula One. The best news is that Felipe is quite okay and can leave the hospital. That looked really frightening."
