With reports doing the rounds the last few days that Michael Schumacher’s medical records have been stolen, the former seven time Formula One champion’s manager, Sabine Kehm, have confirmed the theft.
Kehm could not confirm whether or not the documents are authentic or not, but she did confirm that Schumacher’s medical file has been stolen and that the theft have been reported.
Kehm also gave a stern warning that should any detail of Schumacher’s condition be published in any media outlet, the family will press for charges and damages.
“We expressly advise that both the purchase and the publication of such documents and data is forbidden. The contents of any medical files are totally private and confidential and must not be made available to the public.
“We will therefore, in every single case, press for criminal charges and damages against any publication of the content or reference to the medical file.”
Former Formula One champion Jacques Villeneuve gave an uncompromising verdict on Ferrari driver Kimi Raikkonen’s situation: either step up or go home.
Since re-joining Ferrari at the start of the 2014 season, Raikkonen has struggled to get to grips with his car, his best result being two seventh places. In the last race in Austria Raikkonen came home in tenth while his team mate, Fernando Alonso, finished in fifth. He also only has 19 points compared to the 79 of Alonso.
“If he cannot get the job done in F1, he should go home,” said the outspoken Canadian of Raikkonen. “You should only need two or three races to change the way you drive and adapt and if he cannot, it means there is a problem.”
The 2014 version of Formula One musical chairs is about to start and McLaren played the first note in trying to lure Lewis Hamilton back to their garage.
Hamilton left McLaren at the end of 2013 to join Mercedes on a three-year deal and it is believed that the team from Woking had been in ‘tentative’ talks with the 2008 champion. The only way Hamilton might be persuaded to leave Mercedes and return to his former employer is if his team mate Nico Rosberg beats him to the 2014 driver’s title.
More driver options McLaren could consider are Alonso and Red Bull’s Sebastian Vettel. Alonso is said to be a likely candidate, given his growing frustration with Ferrari who is unable to provide him with a winning car. Vettel could be persuaded to join McLaren with Honda coming on board as engine supplier. The four-time champion is also having a difficult season behind the wheel of his Red Bull.
The addition of either one of the three mentioned drivers to the McLaren team may see either Jenson Button or Kevin Magnussen – or maybe both – being ousted from the team.
– Charlen Raymond
