Willi Weber
Wilhelm Friedrich "Willi" Weber is a former manager of several German racing drivers, including Michael Schumacher, Ralf Schumacher, Nico Hülkenberg, and Timo Scheider. He also held the franchise for A1 Team Germany.
Early career
Weber started learning 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 success through franchise operations.In 1983, Weber and engineer Klaus Trella founded the Formula 3 team WTS, where he managed the team. By 1988, the team has won the German F3 Championship title with driver Joachim Winkelhock.
Talent scout and manager
During a Formula Ford race at the Salzburgring in Austria, Weber observed Michael Schumacher, a young driver competing in that category for the first time, won the race. Weber subsequently invited Schumacher to test a Formula 3 car at Hockenheim..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 helped Schumacher join the Mercedes Benz 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 1994 Formula One World Championship victory boosted motor racing's popularity in Germany. After Schumacher's successful title defense in 1995, Weber decided to focus exclusively on Formula One and sold his Formula 3 team. Schumacher won an additional five titles in the 21st century.