When was Shumi at his best?

[Sonic]

Well???

Five era's to pick from IMO.

1991-1993 - The debut years

1994-1995 - Champion

1996-1999 - Rebuilding Ferrari

2000-2004 - The glory years

2005-2006 - The end?

[Brown, Jon Brow]

I reckon rebuilding Ferrari era. There is no doubt in my mind that he would have been WDC in 1999 if he hadn't broken his leg.

[wedge]

There were odd moments where you questioned his motivation eg.Suzuka 2003 and China 2005 where he seemed to fall asleep but on the whole he was consistantly at his best.

He started as a (potential) great and finished as a great.

[Jag_Warrior]

I'd say the Ferrari Reformation period.

I actually liked him during those years. :

[Valve Bounce]

Is this thread a tribute to a missing friend or what??

[woody2goody]

I'd pick 'the glory years' of 2000-2004.

He always seemed to be able to put in that little bit extra to make a strategy work, or to get pole position in those years. Even in 2002 with a vastly superior car, the way he dealt with Montoya and Barrichello was ruthless and a great display of driving.

In '03 he overcame a great challenge from McLaren and Williams, and in 04 he crushed everyone again. I wouldn't say 04 was his best year as he didn't really have to break a sweat for most of the year.

[555-04Q2]

I will never forget Spa 91 where he put the Jordan in P6 straight out the hat. That for me was the greatest Schumi moment in his F1 career. I was an instant fan and when Prost retired, I started to support Schumi and what a ride he provided me over the years.

1994 and 1995 were obviously special as he was racing against the best car in the field in the 80's and 90's, Williams, and still won the WDC twice.

1997 was a great year as well, the last race sadly recked it though for many of us, including some of us Schumi fans.

I think Schumi had his best two seasons in 1999 and 2000. He probably would have won the 1999 WDC but for a tyre wall that jumped in front of him :

In 2002 and 2004 he was sublime, even though the car was fast as sh!t, he dominated F1 totally.

2006 for me was also a great season for an old Schumi vs a hungry and young Alonso. His last GP at Brazil was astounding! I wept like a firkin baby after the race.

I have to agree with wedge though, Schumi was like a reliable old Swiss clock.

[F1boat]

All seasons IMO were amazing, but the glory years of course was most impressive

[ArrowsFA1]

Tough to say because he was pretty darn good throughout his career : but probably the early years at Ferrari were his best IMHO. He had far from the best car, and yet produced some superb performances. As well as that he was part of the team being put in place that was to produce such success later. No easy task.

[SGWilko]

When he was winning. Austria 2003, when he recovered from a pit lane fire to Win (I was on honeymoon at the time in Italy, and had cunningly paid for my wife to spend the day at the health spa....) is one that sticks out for me.