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Schumacher manager sees F1 becoming 'Mickey Mouse series'

Willi Weber, who looked after the interests of Michael Schumacher for many years, is unimpressed with Liberty Media's latest decisions regarding F1.

As the Formula 1 heads into a new era and hopefully a prosperous future, Weber urges Liberty to exert caution when going for change, or risk destroying the sport altogether.

Whether it's the mandatory presence of the Halo or the uninspired decision to remove F1's grid girls, Weber believes the decisions are going in the wrong direction.

"This ugly roll bar (Halo) ruins the cars," says the 75-year-old German.

"Safety is important, but that was a mistake by Jean Todt.

Ralf Schumacher proud of son David's impressive debut

"That there are no more grid girls is also a sin," Weber added.

"They provided the necessary glamour. The new owners have to be careful not to turn Formula 1 into a Mickey Mouse series."

On the subject of Michael Schumacher, a man Weber plucked out of the junior formulae and whose talent he helped blossom, the former manager often laments the fact that the F1 legend's family is unwilling to divulge any information on the 49-year-old's condition.

"Unfortunately I have not heard from Corinna," he said.

"Michael's accident is four years ago now and we all know it was not a broken leg."

Weber said he hopes to attend the opening of a Schumacher car collection in Cologne in April, and "Maybe then we will learn if he is feeling better".

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Michael Delaney

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