Schumacher !!! Should he call it quits

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7th June 2011, 08:25
Roamy

No driver in the top 10 should call it quits - period - end of story
7th June 2011, 08:35
Dave B

Well now, as I type this the poll is split exactly 50.0%! So a year into this thread, what have we learned? Bog all, I'd say!
7th June 2011, 08:53
ArrowsFA1

I think it's generally accepted that Michael was eased out at Ferrari earlier than he would have chosen and that probably played a part in him wanting to return. Had he walked away from the sport at a time and a place of his chosing then I doubt whether he would have come back.

Sadly, I think the decision to quit now may be more about what Mercedes want than Michael making the decision himself because IMHO Michael is not the driver he was before he retired.

That might be down to three factors: 1) his age, 2) the car and 3) the effects of his neck injury.

I don't think age is particularly significant. Of course he is competing against much younger drivers but, as before, MS remains one of the fittest drivers on the grid. The one area his age does make a difference is in the time it will take to get Mercedes to the front of the grid. He had that time at Ferrari, but not now.

The Mercedes, clearly, is no match for the Red Bull. It's not going to win races in normal circumstances. Years ago Michael could win races in a car that was not the best on the grid, but not now. However I do think he's still capable of winning races...if he had a Red Bull, or if Mercedes build a winning car.

Finally, his neck injury. I do wonder what effect this has had. Obviously it prevented him making his return with Ferrari but supposedly all is now ok but could the lingering effects be enough to have affected his performance? Months after his accident at Goodwood Stirling Moss tested at the same circuit. His times were competitive but he felt driving, racing, was no longer automatic. He had to think about what had previously been second nature. Now obviously circumstances were different but being competitive in F1 is all about small margins and maybe, just maybe, Michael's injury has had an effect.
7th June 2011, 16:25
Cooper_S

That is a fair assesment.
7th June 2011, 18:41
ioan

Quote:

Originally Posted by ArrowsFA1

Finally, his neck injury. I do wonder what effect this has had. Obviously it prevented him making his return with Ferrari but supposedly all is now ok but could the lingering effects be enough to have affected his performance? Months after his accident at Goodwood Stirling Moss tested at the same circuit. His times were competitive but he felt driving, racing, was no longer automatic. He had to think about what had previously been second nature. Now obviously circumstances were different but being competitive in F1 is all about small margins and maybe, just maybe, Michael's injury has had an effect.

I do not believe that he is psychologically affected by that bike accident. After all he broke his leg in Silverstone back in 99 then came back to win 5 championships like if nothing ever happened.

MS is having a hard time qualifying towards the sharp end of the grid but he is having good race pace which is a positive sign and what counts most.
7th June 2011, 21:53
rjbetty

A main reason Michael could win in a bad car but Nico hasn't is that, is that Michael was up against Damon Hill, David Coulthard, Jean Alesi, Gerhard Berger and Heinz-Harald Frentzen in the top cars... Now its Hamilton, Alonso, Vettel etc... and cars are almost perfect reliable these days, all random factors seem to get taken out of the sport. There also used to be gravel traps!!! So when a river went off, his day was over. These factors make it much harder to win in a bad car these days. So much so, when was the last time this happened - Alonso Japan 2008 maybe?
7th June 2011, 22:05
Stuartf12007

not until the end of the season
7th June 2011, 23:09
Cooper_S

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stuartf12007

not until the end of the season

2012 Season... ;)
7th June 2011, 23:37
David Fontes

Yes, we all agree at our shop this man needs to retire. Steve Mc Queen made a state ment when he was young, when I need glasses to see then I'll retire, You are a vetren know, be a team player and support Nico, dont be a fool you were young and fast at one time, You will always be a herro
8th June 2011, 19:41
ioan

Quote:

Originally Posted by David Fontes

Yes, we all agree at our shop this man needs to retire. Steve Mc Queen made a state ment when he was young, when I need glasses to see then I'll retire, You are a vetren know, be a team player and support Nico, dont be a fool you were young and fast at one time, You will always be a herro

Is that some liquor shop you're talking about?
8th June 2011, 20:17
steveaki13

If he was off the back, like Badoer in the Ferrari in 2009, when a fast car was 50 seconds behind the rest, then he should be calling it quits.

When he Qualifies and races in the top 5 or 6 at some events, I think thats a solid enough Job.
12th June 2011, 22:10
ioan

Definitely not!
What a great race he did today in Canada!
12th June 2011, 22:14
tfp

Incredible drive for schuey, I was sitting on the fence about whether he should retire or not, but now I know he should stay:-)
12th June 2011, 22:14
Daniel

50% of people voting in the poll are idiots.
12th June 2011, 22:14
Robinho

he drove a great race, loads of passes and nearly hung on for a podium
12th June 2011, 22:16
UltimateDanGTR

Quote:

Originally Posted by Daniel

50% of people voting in the poll are idiots.

here, here.
12th June 2011, 22:16
Koz

Brilliant race! If not DRS he would have held on for that podium!
12th June 2011, 22:17
donKey jote

should he call it quits after his display today?

yes! and leave on top again :p
12th June 2011, 22:18
donKey jote

Quote:

Originally Posted by UltimateDanGTR

here, here.

wear, wear? :laugh:
12th June 2011, 22:22
Cooper_S

Quote:

Originally Posted by donKey jote

Quote:

Originally Posted by UltimateDanGTR

here, here.

wear, wear? :laugh:

There, there...
12th June 2011, 22:24
donKey jote

sure you don't mean their they're ? :dozey: :p
12th June 2011, 22:34
The Black Knight

What a great race from Schumacher. I was on the edge of my seat. In my heart I knew that, with DRS, he wouldn't be able to fend off Webber and Button till the end but I was hoping he would be able to. If it had stayed wet he may very well have won. He gets drive of the race. To drive like he did with the car he had was unreal. It was his best driver since his comeback, and he showed he still has got what it takes to win races and, most importantly, I now believe he can be World Champion again if he is given the right car.
12th June 2011, 22:37
ShiftingGears

Excellent race for Schumacher today. He is now equal on points with Rosberg.
12th June 2011, 22:42
i_max2k2

Quote:

Originally Posted by theugsquirrel

Excellent race for Schumacher today. He is now equal on points with Rosberg.

And ahead of him in the standings, drove a perfect race today, I can safely say Schumacher is back in F1.
12th June 2011, 22:45
The Black Knight

Quote:

Originally Posted by i_max2k2

And ahead of him in the standings, drove a perfect race today, I can safely say Schumacher is back in F1.

Well, there have been signs lately that he is coming back to form. Hopefully this is the beginning of something big :)

What really struck me when watching him ahead of Webber and Button was how much braver than either of them he was. He was ringing the neck of the car to stay ahead of them. He was the best driver today. Button as great, but Schumacher was the best. Drive of the day goes to Schumacher.
12th June 2011, 22:46
Allyc85

Great performance from MS today and although ive hated him for years, I wanted to either see him beat Vettel or at least get on the podium.
12th June 2011, 22:56
tfp

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Black Knight

Well, there have been signs lately that he is coming back to form. Hopefully this is the beginning of something big :)

What really struck me when watching him ahead of Webber and Button was how much braver than either of them he was. He was ringing the neck of the car to stay ahead of them. He was the best driver today. Button as great, but Schumacher was the best. Drive of the day goes to Schumacher.

And he diddnt make a mistake when he was tailgating, like quick nick!
12th June 2011, 22:57
The Black Knight

Quote:

Originally Posted by tfp

And he diddnt make a mistake when he was tailgating, like quick nick!

That's the difference between a WDC and the next best I guess...
12th June 2011, 23:07
tfp

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Black Knight

That's the difference between a WDC and the next best I guess...

Black knight, I found a video of you on youtube...
YouTube - ‪Monty Python-The Black Knight‬&rlm;

:-)
12th June 2011, 23:14
52Paddy

Fantastic showing from MS today. Despite following him since the beginning of the 'Schumacher era' (circa 2000), that is the time when I was mostly on the edge of my seat watching him. He looked really settled and drove very confidently today, displaying superb defensive skills against Button and Webber, even if he did lose out to them in the end.
12th June 2011, 23:40
steveaki13

Greatb drive from Michael today.

He looked at home in the car at a circuit he loves.

Drove fast in the wet and passed cars 12th to 5th, then in the dry he was on the ragged edge flinging his car around to keep ahead of Webber and Button. He surely would have without DRS. Should have been 2nd at least today. Hard luck.

The only thing I question is the ammount of people saying he should now stay after that result.

I felt he should always have stayed and battled on, but if you were of the opposite opinion, I think one race shouldn't change your mind. If it does then you must have believed in him secretly all along.
13th June 2011, 06:09
555-04Q2

Great drive from The Shoe :up:

His performance today brought back fond memories for me. Lets hope his last few performances are a sign of a giant waking from his slumber :)
13th June 2011, 07:41
F1boat

Michael did a solid race. I am a bit disappointed that he missed the podium.
13th June 2011, 08:37
Roamy

No but after today he should suck Button's dick :)
13th June 2011, 08:39
Koz

Quote:

Originally Posted by Roamy

No but after today he should suck Button's dick :)

Really?
13th June 2011, 08:48
52Paddy

Quote:

Originally Posted by Roamy

No but after today he should suck Button's dick :)

Wrong website there mate ;)
13th June 2011, 08:54
Roamy

you know all this horsesh!t - rainmiester - greatest ever - bla bla bla - MS cheated his way to 7 championships - if you guys are too dumb to understand
this then I feel for you. MS is a very good pilot but not in the class that some of you would like to put him in. Think of it this way Damon Hill could have had
the same record had he driven for Ferrari during the same era as MS
13th June 2011, 08:59
The Black Knight

Quote:

Originally Posted by Roamy

you know all this horsesh!t - rainmiester - greatest ever - bla bla bla - MS cheated his way to 7 championships - if you guys are too dumb to understand
this then I feel for you. MS is a very good pilot but not in the class that some of you would like to put him in. Think of it this way Damon Hill could have had
the same record had he driven for Ferrari during the same era as MS

LOL This has to be one of the funniest and incredibly uninformed posts I've ever read.
13th June 2011, 10:09
SGWilko

Quote:

Originally Posted by ArrowsFA1

I think it's generally accepted that Michael was eased out at Ferrari earlier than he would have chosen and that probably played a part in him wanting to return. Had he walked away from the sport at a time and a place of his chosing then I doubt whether he would have come back.

Sadly, I think the decision to quit now may be more about what Mercedes want than Michael making the decision himself because IMHO Michael is not the driver he was before he retired.

That might be down to three factors: 1) his age, 2) the car and 3) the effects of his neck injury.

I don't think age is particularly significant. Of course he is competing against much younger drivers but, as before, MS remains one of the fittest drivers on the grid. The one area his age does make a difference is in the time it will take to get Mercedes to the front of the grid. He had that time at Ferrari, but not now.

The Mercedes, clearly, is no match for the Red Bull. It's not going to win races in normal circumstances. Years ago Michael could win races in a car that was not the best on the grid, but not now. However I do think he's still capable of winning races...if he had a Red Bull, or if Mercedes build a winning car.

Finally, his neck injury. I do wonder what effect this has had. Obviously it prevented him making his return with Ferrari but supposedly all is now ok but could the lingering effects be enough to have affected his performance? Months after his accident at Goodwood Stirling Moss tested at the same circuit. His times were competitive but he felt driving, racing, was no longer automatic. He had to think about what had previously been second nature. Now obviously circumstances were different but being competitive in F1 is all about small margins and maybe, just maybe, Michael's injury has had an effect.

I think the Shoe is still the best available driver for the second Merc seat. Also, I rather suspect the marketing value of the Shoe to Merc is priceless. Besides, you are only as good as your last race, which for the old boy was not too shabby......
13th June 2011, 10:18
Ranger

He turned back the years with that drive, brilliant.

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