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

[DHB]

but look at his stats for wins and poles.

All of which he is making worse by not getting a pole or a win in 2 full seasons and maybe more if he stays on! He should of stayed retired at the top of his game when he had the chance, rather than coming back and being a midfield racer for the remainder of his comeback!!

 

[captaincosmic]

Funny that such a naturally gifted driver cant make any kind of impression as I am sure its not really the case that in F1 its all about the car
And no in conclusion I dont think he will get anywhere near the podium this year .

 

[mass199]

Paul Di Resta is tipped to drive for Mercedes in 2013!!

Some bloke I do some work for used to build his carts also Hamiltons and Buttons. he gives me all the inside knowledge

So who will be his team mate?

 

[Neil]

but look at his stats for wins and poles.

All of which he is making worse by not getting a pole or a win in 2 full seasons and maybe more if he stays on!

How so?

His totals (91 wins, 154 podiums, 68 poles) are absolute. Some may extrapolate that to ratios per races entered - but at the end of the day, the numbers stack up all by themselves.

He should of stayed retired at the top of his game when he had the chance, rather than coming back and being a midfield racer for the remainder of his comeback!!

Well I have wondered and questioned it myself - especially during his first year back - but all the same, he seems to have found his feet, and be able to compete quite happily with a young, charging driver, known to be fast. And seems to be actually enjoying his return, which is largely what has made me warm to him since his return.

 

[Neil]

Yeah. Schumacher will go down in history as one of the great cheats.

I think there's a difference, though - there's been small number (handful at most) incidents in Schumacher's career that have been dubious or suspect - true enough.

But the vast majority of his achievements don't seem to be as a consequence.

And whatever was going on with the Benetton in 94, it hardly seems fair to ascribe that to him, too.

 

[Neil]

Funny that such a naturally gifted driver cant make any kind of impression as I am sure its not really the case that in F1 its all about the car
And no in conclusion I dont think he will get anywhere near the podium this year .

Well I'm not about to make excuses for him. But as a driver in his 40s, he's managing to perform competitively with a known fast team-mate who's in his 20s.

How many other drivers from Schumacher's era, at a similar age, do you think could still perform at that level?

 

[captaincosmic]

That's an interesting one yes perhaps Reubens Barrichello ?
Just looked up oldest world champs too

Fangio 46
Farina 43
Bra ham 40
Hill snr 39
Our Nige 39
Prost 38
Andretti 38
Hill jnr 36
Lauda 35
Shumi 35 (2004)

 

[highlandsflyer]

Yeah. Schumacher will go down in history as one of the great cheats.

I think there's a difference, though - there's been small number (handful at most) incidents in Schumacher's career that have been dubious or suspect - true enough.

But the vast majority of his achievements don't seem to be as a consequence.

And whatever was going on with the Benetton in 94, it hardly seems fair to ascribe that to him, too.

My point being that every great champion in every great sport gets accused by some.

Even Ali.

Seems that no amount of evidence of natural superiority is enough for some, because they don't happen to favour the chap.

 

[Neil]

Yeah. Schumacher will go down in history as one of the great cheats.

I think there's a difference, though - there's been small number (handful at most) incidents in Schumacher's career that have been dubious or suspect - true enough.

But the vast majority of his achievements don't seem to be as a consequence.

And whatever was going on with the Benetton in 94, it hardly seems fair to ascribe that to him, too.

My point being that every great champion in every great sport gets accused by some.

Even Ali.

Seems that no amount of evidence of natural superiority is enough for some, because they don't happen to favour the chap.

In fairness, Schumacher hasn't helped himself - but it's a stretch to try and tarnish all his achievements. Perhaps he has something of a ruthless streak that surfaces at some moments - so where appropriate, that may affect peoples' perception of him, and anything he achieved by being a bit naughty - but the vast majority of what he achieved shouldn't be dismissed because of it.

As to Ali / Clay - well I have mixed feelings. As being interested and at times involved with boxing over the years, there were times where I admired Ali / Clay greatly. And there's no doubt, he was an exceptional boxer and athlete. He did things that many / most / perhaps nearly all people didn't think he could.

Thing is, though, over time, reading about him, and finding out more, there's some aspects of Ali's career I can't reconcile. The way he treated Frazier went way beyond mind-games, and although many don't recognise it, to me, it seems a truly dark episode for him. It's things like that, that made Ali slip from grace, a bit, in my perception of him as a man. As a boxer, I still think he was one of the best heavyweights, ever.

 

[highlandsflyer]

Schmacker was so ahead of the game in driving terms, he had time to consider how to exploit the rules. Nothing any other driver/team would not do, but they were struggling hard enough just to keep up.

Hats off to the man, and major props for coming back into the sport and taking his new position in the hierarchy like a man; and now sticking with it long enough to improve matters for himself and his team. Just like old times.