Schumacher May Win A Race Or Two This Year...

[highlandsflyer]

Which begs the question, can he possibly compete for a title in the next couple of years, if he stays?

Can't be that hard, they don't even get off their backsides during a race!

 

[FairfaxPat]

He might have a chance this year, as his car is quick-but next year could be a different story, only time will tell.

 

[highlandsflyer]

I would love to see him win a few races. Time is always the answer, which is why speculation is idle. Stranger things have happened though.

Just a fancy of mine that skill and instinct can overcome reaction times and sensory incapacity!

 

[Neil]

I would love to see him win a few races. Time is always the answer, which is why speculation is idle. Stranger things have happened though.

That's the thing with Schumacher, given a sniff of a car with something near the possibility, and you can bet he'll be close if not there.

As to the championship - well that team have form for a flash in the pan aero innovation that caught the other teams unaware for a bit - in JBs year, sufficient for him to get a march on the championship. Not sure their advantage is that great this year, though.

And time is marching on for him.

Just a fancy of mine that skill and instinct can overcome reaction times and sensory incapacity!

That's one of the things about Schumacher, that Clarkson splurged, when Schumacher was in his prime - most people assumed he had amazing reactions - he didn't - I think from memory, Hill had better reaction times / reflexes.

Schumacher's skill was explained by Clarkson, to be actually about his sensory capacity and more about an (possibly inate) attribute of his where he understood what was happening with the car better, and could deal with all the input and output - rather than simply having lightening reactions.

How true all of that is, and whether some of it was some bastardised inference based on assumptions, I'm unsure, but it was about how Clarkson explained why Schumacher was so good.

Although I was never a particular fan of Schumacher in his prime, I have to say, since he's come back, I've been willing him to do well - even if he's a bit of a naughty boy at times.

 

[FairfaxPat]

Yeah, root for the old guy! Unfortunately in F1 these days, there is usually one dominant Marque per year, and their cars usually rule, as Red Bull have done in recent years, so the best driver is not always the winner.

 

[Neil]

Yeah, root for the old guy! Unfortunately in F1 these days, there is usually one dominant Marque per year, and their cars usually rule, as Red Bull have done in recent years, so the best driver is not always the winner.

I think even now, Schumacher is achieving where drivers of his era would be unlikely to - can't think of many guys that he raced with, that would now be the same age, that would be either motivated to, or as competent, now.

Really I'd like Kimi to have a storming year - time will tell on that. I'd also like to see Kubica back at his best, too - but that seems a bit distant, if not unlikely, at present.

 

[michael franks]

I can see Schumacher getting podiums this year and who knows - with a bit of luck be it rain, safety cars or whatever he could win one. He still has that racing brain of his and he seems to be enjoying himself. Apart from that it looks like being an exciting season and JB will win the title.
And I agree with FairfaxPat that we should

root for the old guy!

and with Neil that

I'd also like to see Kubica back at his best

 

[DHB]

The thing at the minute is the Mercedes has great straight line speed with the DRS activated/F duct front which maybe banned in a few races which is helping them loads. Yes the car handles but if it doesnt get banned for being an advantage then all the other teams will have some sort of system which will then put them on the back foot again!

 

[Neil]

The thing at the minute is the Mercedes has great straight line speed with the DRS activated/F duct front which maybe banned in a few races which is helping them loads. Yes the car handles but if it doesnt get banned for being an advantage then all the other teams will have some sort of system which will then put them on the back foot again!

So, as I said before, like Button's championship year, and the double diffuser. What will remain to be seen is whether it's of sufficient advamtage to get a march on the championship such that by the time the other teams have developed something almost as good or the FIA have banned it, they're still in a competitive situation. So far, though, doesn't seem quite as performance enhancing as the double diffuser was, but, in the words of Karen Carpenter "We've only just begun..."

 

[DHB]

So, as I said before, like Button's championship year, and the double diffuser. What will remain to be seen is whether it's of sufficient advamtage to get a march on the championship such that by the time the other teams have developed something almost as good or the FIA have banned it, they're still in a competitive situation

Brawn and Redbull were well ahead at the first race whereas Mercedes arent though! Competitive - sort of - they havent got ahead of the opposition, Mercedes are still behind. Theyre quick in qualifying but in the race still lacking in pace compared to McLaren, Redbull and as ever the Ferrari which will no doubt be picking up speed in the next few races, well with Alonso driving anyway!