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

[DHB]

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.

If driving mid pack is finding your feet - then yes he has. He said and i quote "people could judge me after the 4th race" in his first year back, and so far hasnt delivered anything, mid field runner 90percent of the time, and his younger less experienced team mate consistantly beating him in qualifying and the race and finishing above him in the World championship with more points!

If he gets to the podium or a win will be by luck more than driving or car speed, so until he produces a drive that delivers something special, he's just another grid filler. In which case he should be stepping aside and letting the younger drivers move up through the ranks and get into F1!

 

[Neil]

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.

If driving mid pack is finding your feet - then yes he has.

In fairness, I think he's largely driving to the potential of the car.

and his younger less experienced team mate consistantly beating him in qualifying and the race and finishing above him in the World championship with more points!

I think in recent times, he's been at least on par with Rosberg - perhaps slightly better - and he's nearly 20 years older.

When Rosberg has got 7 world championships under his belt, retired, and returned and still racing at the age of 43, and still being able to compete with a young, charging, fast driver of 26, then Rosberg will have a decent claim to fame, too.

If he gets to the podium or a win will be by luck more than driving or car speed, so until he produces a drive that delivers something special, he's just another grid filler.

In fairness, he can only achieve with the car he's got.

If Rosberg is a decent, fast driver, who's capable of more than his car has currently enabled, then Schumacher is at least keeping himself able to compete with him this season.

In which case he should be stepping aside and letting the younger drivers move up through the ranks and get into F1!

Why?

He's enjoying it, I expect many fans are enjoying him being there, and the team wouldn't be doing it unless there was something in it for them.

Few people, if ever, get to rest on their laurels and previous reputation in F1. If he wasn't value for money, he wouldn't still be in a drive - they wouldn't just allow it out of respect and loyalty.

 

[mass199]

Pretty sure that if Ross Brawn did'nt run the team Mr. Shoemaker would still be retired and the Mercedes German thing.

 

[captaincosmic]

I think Neil is related to Mr Shumacher It's an impressive defence m'lud
I always think of Shu when I see those cars called shumi (its like the back of the car wasn't wide enough for the full name It's one of those makes from the country that brings you Chien bourguignon :shock:

 

[Neil]

Pretty sure that if Ross Brawn did'nt run the team Mr. Shoemaker would still be retired and the Mercedes German thing.

Who knows - but from what I remember of the history, it had always been a big desire for Mercedes to have Schumacher racing for them in F1.

If there's an influence or support to have him racing, I suspect it's as much from Mercedes / Haug, as it is Brawn.

 

[Neil]

I think Neil is related to Mr Shumacher It's an impressive defence m'lud

As I said, BITD, I was far from his biggest fan.

But I have enjoyed his approach since returning from retirement.

And as highlandsflyer says - there's always some looking to bash those that have excelled, like Schumacher. Let's not forget, 7 x WDC, 91 wins, 154 podiums, 68 poles, is going to take some beating. He was a great, great F1 driver, the likes of which may never be seen with that sort of record again.

Similar thing in snooker (not so much the bashing thing, actually) - everyone raves about O' Sullivan - but it's players like Hendry and Davis that have such impressive results, that I doubt O' Sullivan will ever eclipse. Talent is one thing, staying power and temperament another. Hendry's record may well never get eclipsed, and he broke new ground in his performances, but barely gets a mention, these days, because flashier, more mercurial players get more attention.

 

[highlandsflyer]

Due to the secretive nature of F1, it is perhaps overlooked just how much an experienced driver can bring to the R&D side of a team. I am certain this figures largely in his role at Merc, and being out there driving the current state of the art will bring an invaluable insight. He will most likely remain part of the team long after his driving days are over.

 

[NAILTRAIL96]

With winter testing restricted I've long suspected that mercedes were actually using some races last year as extended test sessions.
And who could be better to tell you how things are shaping up, who could be trusted to get the maximum out of the machine at any given time.

He would bring sponsorship, exposure and raise the profile of what was largely a new team, albeit a factory one.

Give the race car to Nico and hopefully they'll get some points, give Schumaker a test mule, and you'll progress faster.
He made no secret that the real challenge in F1 came from developing a car, the racing was the fun part.
It looks to have paid off too.

 

[DHB]

Pretty sure that if Ross Brawn did'nt run the team Mr. Shoemaker would still be retired and the Mercedes German thing.

He had a lot to play in the return of Schumacher, trying to relive the glory days of the Benetton, Ferrari era when they were at theyre best (including cheating also).

In fairness, I think he's largely driving to the potential of the car.

He was driving to the ability of the Ferrari in 1996 and won a race in a dog of a car, so why cant he do it now?

I think in recent times, he's been at least on par with Rosberg - perhaps slightly better - and he's nearly 20 years older.

How?? He's been beat in the previous 2 seasons by him and hasnt outshone him at any point! Should be alot faster with the experience and knolweldge of the past years of racing!

When Rosberg has got 7 world championships under his belt, retired, and returned and still racing at the age of 43, and still being able to compete with a young, charging, fast driver of 26, then Rosberg will have a decent claim to fame, too.

Means nothing when your racing mid field, people expect him to be at the front winning because of it so when he under performs its always a disappointment for his fans, race team and media!

He's enjoying it, I expect many fans are enjoying him being there, and the team wouldn't be doing it unless there was something in it for them.

Few people, if ever, get to rest on their laurels and previous reputation in F1. If he wasn't value for money, he wouldn't still be in a drive - they wouldn't just allow it out of respect and loyalty.

So because he's enjoying it its ok to be not as quick as the others?!?!?!! Have mediocre races which dont show him or the the team in a good light and constantly blame the car when its clearly performing better in the hands of a young Rosberg who hasnt won 7 championships ; ) Sounds like great value for money.

Personally i cant see why he came back, he's consistantly being beat in Qualifying and the race by other younger drivers, Hamilton, Vettel, Button, Webber, Rosberg, Alonso, Massa, Di Resta etc, and hasnt been within a sniff of a pole or win! All his experience hasnt developed the car into anything worthy of noting and simply just seems to have lost his edge that he used to possess!! Wether he regains it or not is another matter, but Mercedes cant wait much longer for him to try and gather it back, they need results, wins, pole positions and theyre not getting them from the 7 times champion as his results show!!

 

[mass199]

Pretty sure that if Ross Brawn did'nt run the team Mr. Shoemaker would still be retired and the Mercedes German thing.

He had a lot to play in the return of Schumacher, trying to relive the glory days of the Benetton, Ferrari era when they were at theyre best (including cheating also).

In fairness, I think he's largely driving to the potential of the car.

He was driving to the ability of the Ferrari in 1996 and won a race in a dog of a car, so why cant he do it now?

I think in recent times, he's been at least on par with Rosberg - perhaps slightly better - and he's nearly 20 years older.

How?? He's been beat in the previous 2 seasons by him and hasnt outshone him at any point! Should be alot faster with the experience and knolweldge of the past years of racing!

When Rosberg has got 7 world championships under his belt, retired, and returned and still racing at the age of 43, and still being able to compete with a young, charging, fast driver of 26, then Rosberg will have a decent claim to fame, too.

Means nothing when your racing mid field, people expect him to be at the front winning because of it so when he under performs its always a disappointment for his fans, race team and media!

He's enjoying it, I expect many fans are enjoying him being there, and the team wouldn't be doing it unless there was something in it for them.

Few people, if ever, get to rest on their laurels and previous reputation in F1. If he wasn't value for money, he wouldn't still be in a drive - they wouldn't just allow it out of respect and loyalty.

So because he's enjoying it its ok to be not as quick as the others?!?!?!! Have mediocre races which dont show him or the the team in a good light and constantly blame the car when its clearly performing better in the hands of a young Rosberg who hasnt won 7 championships ; ) Sounds like great value for money.

Personally i cant see why he came back, he's consistantly being beat in Qualifying and the race by other younger drivers, Hamilton, Vettel, Button, Webber, Rosberg, Alonso, Massa, Di Resta etc, and hasnt been within a sniff of a pole or win! All his experience hasnt developed the car into anything worthy of noting and simply just seems to have lost his edge that he used to possess!! Wether he regains it or not is another matter, but Mercedes cant wait much longer for him to try and gather it back, they need results, wins, pole positions and theyre not getting them from the 7 times champion as his results show!!

So I take it your not a fan of Schumacher then?