Dubai : The man who made seven-time world Formula One champion Michael Schumacher is convinced the German driver can win an eighth crown by next season.
"He [Schumacher] is the best race driver in the world and though he has a little problem with his car at the moment, I am convinced he will solve this [problem] and you will soon see him win races like before," Schumacher's manager Willie Weber told Gulf News.
"And next year we will be focusing on the world title, and that is a sure certainty," he promised.
Weber made himself a name in the motorsport world for discovering and promoting talents like the Schumacher brothers — Michael and Ralf — and for being a shrewd negotiator. Besides taking care of his clients' contractual issues he also proved to be quite a talent in finding ways to make money for his clients with creative merchandising deals.
Top models like Claudia Schiffer and Naomi Campbell have also been represented by Weber's management firm that is based right next to the Stuttgart Airport in Germany.
Currently the franchise holder for Team Germany in the A1 Grand Prix, Weber entered the world of motorsports in 1983 when he co-founded the WTS (Weber-Trella Stuttgart) Formula 3 team with engineer Klaus Trella. He went on to sell the team after Schumacher successfully defended his world title in 1995.
After Schumacher made his intentions for a comeback known earlier this year, Weber was the first to respond. "Michael's problem is the car as it does not suit him so much like it was before. But this is Michael Schumacher and he won't stop till he gets everything right. He will work hard to solve the problems afflicting him at the moment and gradually he will start winning races as well. And that's for sure," Weber said.
The German manager termed 2010 as a "transitional year for Michael to adapt and adjust". "This is how things are at the moment since making a comeback after three years. So much has changed in the sport in this short period of time," he added.
"Maybe it is the new rules or the car or even the smaller tyres that is affecting him. But these things are small when one considers that this man is a perfectionist.
Maybe these small things are stopping him from winning races, but sooner or later it will all come back."
Weber feels Schumacher's work ethics and eye for detail will still see him through for an unprecedented eighth world crown. "He is fitter than anybody else. Besides a champion is a champion and nothing can keep him pegged down. I absolutely think that Michael Schumacher will be the winning driver and I have no doubt about this simply because he is the best race driver in the world and he will always be the one to beat," Weber said.
"If you can drive a car like he does then you can't lose it." Weber, however, admitted there are drivers who can give Schumacher a tough time.
