Willi Weber

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Willi Weber
Born	Wilhelm Friedrich Weber (1942-03-11) 11 March 1942 (age 82) Regensburg, Germany
Nationality	German
Other names	"Willi"
Known for	Racing driver manager

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]

Weber started learning negotiating skills as a teenager by buying and reselling worn military uniforms.^{[citation needed]} He completed an apprenticeship in hotel management, aiming to operate his own restaurant.^{[citation needed]} He established several businesses near Stuttgart, Germany, achieving success through franchise operations.^{[citation needed]}

In 1983, Weber and engineer Klaus Trella founded the Formula 3 team WTS (Weber-Trella Stuttgart), where he managed the team. By 1988, the team has won the German F3 Championship title with driver Joachim Winkelhock.

During 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. Schumacher won an additional five titles in the 21st century.

Weber'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.