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Wilhelm "Willi" Friedrich Weber (born 11 March 1942 in Regensburg, Germany) is a former manager of several German racing drivers, including Michael Schumacher (until 2012), Ralf Schumacher (until November 2005), Nico Hülkenberg (until 2011), and Timo Scheider. He also held the franchise for A1 Team Germany. [1]
Willi Weber | |
|---|---|
| Born | Wilhelm Friedrich Weber 11 March 1942 |
| Nationality |  German |
Weber is noted for managing the careers of various drivers and has been involved in negotiating contracts and merchandising agreements. His work contributed to the visibility and marketability of the drivers he managed.
Early career
editWeber developed his negotiating skills as a teenager by buying and reselling worn military uniforms. He completed an apprenticeship in hotel management, aiming to operate his own restaurant. He established several businesses near Stuttgart, Germany, achieving financial success through franchise operations. As a motorsport enthusiast, he participated in racing. In 1983, he and engineer Klaus Trella founded the Formula 3 team WTS (Weber-Trella Stuttgart). Recognizing his limitations as a driver, Weber focused on managing the team. The team's first significant achievement occurred in 1988 when driver Joachim Winkelhock won the German F3 Championship title.
Talent scout and manager
editDuring a Formula Ford race at the Salzburgring in Austria, Weber observed Michael Schumacher, a young driver competing for the first time in that category, who won the race. Following this, Weber invited Schumacher to test a Formula 3 car in Hockenheim. [2]
Weber facilitated Schumacher's entry into the German F3 Championship, which was financially challenging for Schumacher due to his background. In his second season, Schumacher won the championship title.
Weber's connections in motorsport, including a friend associated with Mercedes-Benz, helped Schumacher join their Junior Team in Group C racing, which provided support for Schumacher's debut in Formula One with Jordan Grand Prix in Spa in 1991.
Schumacher's victory in the Formula One World Championship in 1994 increased the popularity of motor racing in Germany. After Schumacher's successful title defense in 1995, Weber decided to focus exclusively on Formula One and sold his Formula 3 team.
Weber negotiated contracts for Schumacher, who became one of the highest-earning athletes in sports. Weber received a 15% commission on his clients' deals. Schumacher won an additional five titles in the 21st century.
Outside motorsport
editWeber's management firm, located near Stuttgart Airport, has represented top models such as Claudia Schiffer and Naomi Campbell.
In 1999, Weber opened a restaurant called Weber's Gourmet im Turm at the Fernsehturm Stuttgart. However, the restaurant was discontinued after a few years of operation.
References
edit- ^ https://www.a1gp.co/News/NewsArticle.aspx?newsId=28549.
{{cite web}}: Missing or empty|title=(help)CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ "Car News".