Who thinks Schumacher finally should retire?

**senna 88** · 14th May 12, 09:45

When I was a kid I used to watch Schumacher, he was a great driver.
But since he came out of retirement he's just been crashing into other drivers, accidents involving him have been more frequent and it's not fair on the other drivers.
The Spanish GP yesterday just goes to prove my point.
He's beginning to remind me of Alain Prost (mainly in the 80's/90's, I don't know what he's like now) where it's the other drivers, the car, the pit crew, the teams fault...but never his.
Again, the Spanish GP yesterday proves my point.
The other drivers out there are significantly younger than he is with a lot quicker reflexes than his (due to his age, I'm sorry to say).
What's everyone else's opinion on this?

Guy.

P.S This is not a personal attack on neither Alain Prost or Michael Schumacher as I won't deny Alain his awesome driving skills (even now doing Ice Rallying) and Michael has done well considering.

**Mark** · 14th May 12, 10:12

Yes basically. He retired at the right time in the first place. His comeback hasn't worked.

Coming into the current champion team looked sensible on paper.

**SGWilko** · 14th May 12, 10:16

I think in fairness to Michael, he is probably as good as he was, but it is like in every sport, the competition is always getting better.

Age is against him of course, and maybe he is letting his frustrations rule his head and thus the silly mistakes become more frequent.

Had he not retired in '06, he may have taken the '07 title, and then retired on the ultimate high. If's and Buts....

**Mark** · 14th May 12, 11:00

7 World Championships aside, Schumacher was never a perfect driver, he quite often made mistakes under pressure. He just made up for that in every other area.

**Dave B** · 14th May 12, 11:45

Rosberg has demonstrated that, on its day, the car is capable of victory. That must weigh on Schumacher's mind and I don't think he'll consider his comeback a success unless he too chalks up a win. I hoped he'd do well in this phase of his career, I've a lot of respect for the ol' fella, but unless he can match his team mate I think he should bow out gracefully at the end of the season - and hopefully make way for Paul di Resta.

**Knock-on** · 14th May 12, 12:06

Originally Posted by Dave B

Rosberg has demonstrated that, on its day, the car is capable of victory. That must weigh on Schumacher's mind and I don't think he'll consider his comeback a success unless he too chalks up a win. I hoped he'd do well in this phase of his career, I've a lot of respect for the ol' fella, but unless he can match his team mate I think he should bow out gracefully at the end of the season - and hopefully make way for Paul di Resta.

I'm getting really concerned about his increasingly desperate driving. I hope you're right and he does bow out gracefully but I think he's going to get more erratic.

The sooner PdR is in that drive, the better for everyone.

**pino** · 14th May 12, 12:34

I only know and still admire one Schumacher...the one from Benetton and Ferrari era

And the new Schumacher has nothing in common with that one...sadly.

**aryan** · 14th May 12, 13:20

He's now taken part in (I think) 43 grand prix since his return, and has not even stood on the podium once. And he's generaly been outpaced by his teammate.

Let's be honest, he's not going to get any faster next year. It's time to call it a day.

**SGWilko** · 14th May 12, 13:27

Originally Posted by aryan

He's now taken part in (I think) 43 grand prix since his return, and has not even stood on the podium once. And he's generaly been outpaced by his teammate.

Let's be honest, he's not going to get any faster next year. It's time to call it a day.

Yup - he should make like Wayne Sleep and do the Hot Shoe Shuffle off to the knackers yard......

Or make like a Unix server and SCO

**N. Jones** · 14th May 12, 14:41

I can't say it better that SGWilko did!

**fandango** · 15th May 12, 00:30

Amazing to think he once did most of that GP stuck in fifth and still finished second (if my memory is right). Not to mention the time he first won for Ferrari in the lashing rain.

Times have changed...

**SGWilko** · 15th May 12, 09:40

Originally Posted by fandango

Amazing to think he once did most of that GP stuck in fifth and still finished second (if my memory is right). Not to mention the time he first won for Ferrari in the lashing rain.

Times have changed...

For me, this confirms just how much ahead of him the 'new breed' in F1 is now. He set the benchmark, and now the new guard has moved the goalposts way out of his league.

Fair play to him, I'm sure the bank balance has been swollen a bit more, but it's not done his reputation any favours.

**odykas** · 15th May 12, 09:43

Please lock this thread and .. ban its starter

Schumi is not going to retire

**F1boat** · 15th May 12, 09:44

Originally Posted by Knock-on

I'm getting really concerned about his increasingly desperate driving. I hope you're right and he does bow out gracefully but I think he's going to get more erratic.

The sooner PdR is in that drive, the better for everyone.

I agree...

**Knock-on** · 15th May 12, 11:21

Originally Posted by odykas

Please lock this thread and .. ban its starter

Schumi is not going to retire

Ody, Ody, Ody <shakes head>

**The Black Knight** · 15th May 12, 12:19

Originally Posted by Mark

7 World Championships aside, Schumacher was never a perfect driver, he quite often made mistakes under pressure. He just made up for that in every other area.

There has never been a perfect driver in F1, despite what some Senna fans would have you believe...

**The Black Knight** · 15th May 12, 12:27

Originally Posted by SGWilko

For me, this confirms just how much ahead of him the 'new breed' in F1 is now. He set the benchmark, and now the new guard has moved the goalposts way out of his league.

Fair play to him, I'm sure the bank balance has been swollen a bit more, but it's not done his reputation any favours.

While we're slating Schuey here in all, I don't think it should be forgotten that most of his bad luck this season has been due to Mercedes, not himself. I have to rewatch the footage of what happened as I was at the race and it happened too quicly for me to be able to tell what went on with my eyes, but my inital impression from watching was that Senna did move in the braking zone but that it was still Schumacher's fault.

Either way it's the worst ever start to a season for him. It's a shame really because he has been driving quite well this year until now I feel. He outqualified Nico in the first two races of the season. His Malaysian race was over due to no fault of his own when I think it was Grosjean hit him on the first lap. So three out of the 5 races this season has seen him have very bad luck. To shout for his retirement over a silly incident such as yesterday is premature and hasty given what bad luck he has had in this season most of which were factors that were simply out of his control.

**senna 88** · 15th May 12, 13:59

Originally Posted by The Black Knight

There has never been a perfect driver in F1, despite what some Senna fans would have you believe...

Do you mean Ayrton or Bruno?

Ayrton was far from a perfect driver (if he was, I don't think anyone would like him because no-one likes someone too perfect) he loved smashing his car up lol but that was because he was always driving on the edge and pushing the limits.

If (this is a huge if) Ayrton hadn't so sadly and suddenly lost his life I believe that he'd be more successful than Schumacher.
Both M. Schumacher and A. Senna are/were great people, did lots of charity work.

As for Bruno as far as I've seen it seems that the driving trait has skipped a generation but we'll have to wait and see, won't we?

Maybe he should watch over a few of his uncles old races and take notes (no disrespect intended)

Guy.

**F1boat** · 15th May 12, 18:42

Originally Posted by Mark

7 World Championships aside

hahah, you can't put them aside, but yes, there is no perfect driver and never was.

**lotus rules** · 15th May 12, 20:14

Originally Posted by F1boat

hahah, you can't put them aside, but yes, there is no perfect driver and never was.

negative- fangio was the best, great driver and a gentleman; 5 world championships in dangerous cars and he did it in his forties. even schumi says that.

schumi has to go, he blew it by coming back; he never was that good of a driver - he just benefitted from a great car and a skewed points sytem. plus he has an ego the size of australia. those three years he spent in "retirement" were three great years of racing. get rid of him!