Is it time for Schumacher to call it quits?

[Italian Spirit]

I didn't specially like Michael the person, I had a immense admiration for Schumacher the champion.
But now he looks less and less Schumacher and more and more Montoya.
Maybe the time has come for him to hang up the helmet. It would be sad if the fabulous legend was blemished by a fistful of races (dollars?). :-s
What do you think?

[RedRebel40]

I think let's replace him with Massa at Ferrari so he can shine again. I am sure the guy still has some speed but he lacks the tools. Also this year he didn't have much luck too bad.

[Tobes]

Don't think so, he's srill moving Merc forwards, i've no doubt he has had more to do with the development of the Merc than Nico has, he's been involved in a few stupid accidents and had some poor luck, certainly think he has as much to offer (if not more than) most of the mid-field drivers, obviously having cheered him on for so many years there's an element of sentiment that would like to see him win another race before he hangs up his helmet for good... :-)

[Red passion]

Lets hope he has more luck in the rest of the season, he still has what it takes to win a race or get on the podium. what is affecting Michael is Pirelli, Michael is a thoroughbred racer, he is used to refuelling, changing tyres etc. race for 20 laps and pull out stunning laps which your competitor pits first. pirelli don't allow this push too hard race over. there must be better ideas to improve racing and overtaking than these stupid tyres. also yesterday webber nearly rammed a car from behind due to big braking differences, webber also had the same problem in valencia in the past with Heikki.

I don't blame schumi for the accident yesterday, senna did move in the braking area but it is not sennas fault either he has to brake really early on old rubber.

[F2002]

I think let's replace him with Massa at Ferrari so he can shine again. I am sure the guy still has some speed but he lacks the tools. Also this year he didn't have much luck too bad.

Good idea ! - this hasn't made it to the "Massa replacement" thread I think.

How could we forget good old Michael ???

:-)

[sav_pap]

IMO Yes...but who cares! Besides he is not part of the ferrari family anymore. :-ZZ

[ferrari4life]

As long as he is not running into the back of any Ferrari's he can race for whoever he wants.

[hakanabi]

Never discount Schumacher. He had some bad luck so far in this year. If the car drives to his liking and they sort out their tire issues then he can well be on the podium and I am sure we will see him there sometime this year.

[sav_pap]

Never discount Schumacher. He had some bad luck so far in this year. If the car drives to his liking and they sort out their tire issues then he can well be on the podium and I am sure we will see him on the there sometime this year.

I don't want to see him on the podium! He drives a Merc.

[Ferrarichamp]

Yes I would say so. He'll be 44 years old next year, too old I think.

[ferrari1.8t]

Yes I would say so. He'll be 44 years old next year, too old I think.

I dont think age has anything to do with it. It's about passion, skill and motivation. Mario Andretti was 53 when he won his last race in 1993. He even raced Le Mans again when he was 60 in 2000.

Schumacher is just struggling getting to terms with the new rules, new cars and younger generation of drivers. Time will tell what his future holds.

[sagi58]

If he and Mercedes feel Schumi still has a contribution to make to F1, there really is "no" reason to quit!
At the end of the day, Mercedes sign his paycheque, no one else!

(YES! I do see the parallels between Massa/Ferrari and Schumi/Mercedes! With one glaring difference, Schumi has probably forgotten more than most of the other drivers on the grid have learnt or may ever learn! Sadly, I don't see Massa in the same light, I don't know many people could compare the two and their accomplishments.)

[anakin]

i think he can endure two more years with merc. he just have to get rid of the habit of running into others cars.

[Nova]

The guys on Speed mentioned that theres a board meeting at the end of the year to see if Merc will even
be doing F1 in 2013.

As far as Shumy..yep, he can still race.

[dpiatto]

I’m gutted for him tbh because nothing seems to have gone right ever since he joined Mercedes.
Strange because he still looks super fit but one wonders if age has caught up with him in terms of his judgement & reflexes required to mix it with the young guns.
It’s also uncanny how his once Ferrari team mate Massa is joint on just 2 points in the drivers championship possibly suffering from a similar fate since his accident at the Hungaroring.
The fact is they both need to up their game sooner rather than later because there are currently a breed of drivers performing much better in inferior cars having to pay for their place within a team.

[sav_pap]

I dont think age has anything to do with it. It's about passion, skill and motivation. Mario Andretti was 53 when he won his last race in 1993. He even raced Le Mans again when he was 60 in 2000.

Schumacher is just struggling getting to terms with the new rules, new cars and younger generation of drivers. Time will tell what his future holds.

:Hmm
Good point I agree about the skill and motivation factors but IMO cars of the 80's or 90's can't be compared with present cars.
The G-forces now (with the aerodynamics development) on driver's bodies is so huge that they have to train very hard to stand and finish a race.
I doubt if a 53 or 60 years old man could drive decent a F1 car of the present even for 2-3 laps.
Schumi thought that he could match the young drivers but he misjudged 100%.

[Fiondella]

Age has everything to do with it. His reactions and fitness levels are fading fast. He should never have come back. Punch drunk boxer!! What percentage of professional athletes, footballers, downhill skiers etc etc are still competing at the highest level at his age? My guess is less than 2%. Not wishing to put too fine a point on the subject :-)

[Fiondella]

PS Mario Andretti Last F1 win was when he was 38. A great achievement but still nearly 6 years younger than Schumi is now!!!!
Schumi last F1 race win was 6 years ago when he was 37!

[Ferrarichamp]

yeah Schumi was already passed his best in '06.

[sav_pap]

Brazil 2006 was his last show of superb driving skills and motivation.

[Jose-Lorca Fan]

He should leave now, a once great but I don't see him leaving Mercedes for any other team and that Mer4c ain't going to be a winning car any time soon. He is waiting for something which won't happen and when it does it will be too late. I see next year year as his final year but never beyond that.
He should concede his place to a young driver, and to be honest i don't think the current sporting regulations suit him well either. Wrong choice to come back but who can blame him after the salary that was proposed to him.

[Red passion]

PS Mario Andretti Last F1 win was when he was 38. A great achievement but still nearly 6 years younger than Schumi is now!!!!
Schumi last F1 race win was 6 years ago when he was 37!

yes but this year anyone can win if Williams can win to where they were last year anyone can

[Ste]

I totally agree with Tobes.

Schumacher's performed great so far this year, qualifying well (out-qualified Nico in 2/5 races and had a DRS failure in Bahrain putting him out in Q1), racing well.

Retirement in Australia
Spun by Grosjean on lap 1 in Malaysia
Retirement because of a loose wheel in China
Started 22nd, finished 10th in Bahrain
Mistake in Spain

Out of the 5 races, 4 of them haven't been his fault. He was running well in Australia until the car broke down. Was in a good position in Malaysia until taken out by Grosjean. Running well, right behind Rosberg in China before the team forgot to put his wheel on properly. A pretty solid comeback in Bahrain after losing his DRS in Q1. Finally, a mistake in Spain (which was just a mis-judgement and a racing incident) where he hit Senna.

He's way behind in the points tables in comparison to Rosberg but that doesn't tell the story in any way. Schumacher's had no luck this season and only made one mistake (everyone makes at least 1 per season - Alonso spinning in Spa 2010 etc) so I hardly think people can say he's lost it because he's scored just two points.

Age might play a factor in some ways, but as Brundle and various others have repeated many times, he's still one of the fittest guys in the paddock and reactions were never his strong point. I think Michael has come good this year, in comparison especially to 2010. 2011 was ok, mainly the latter half but in 2012 we've seen a qualifying resurgence and solid race pace.

I think the story would be completely different had the car/team not failed him on 4 separate occasions. The points would look very different and so would people's views. Remember just a few races ago people were saying that he "was back" so it's pretty stupid to conclude everything from one mistake and the points table.

I don't buy into the whole 'age is a massive factor' thing. Damon Hill didn't start in F1 until he was 32 and won his Championship at 36. Schumacher won his final Championship when he was 35 - an age most would call 'old' for an F1 driver. People comparing Raikkonen's comeback obviously haven't got a clue. Kimi left when slicks, no TC, current Aero packages, engine regulations, KERS etc were already in place - little has changed since 2009. But since 2006, a lot has. I don't believe it should have taken him quite so long to adapt but it's still completely different from Kimi returning.

Michael will have had a lot more input into the Mercedes team than Nico, everyone knows what an amazing developer he is. They wouldn't be where they are now without Michael. He's loving his time back, more relaxed, happy, better media image...I don't believe he's going anywhere any time soon. I think that's a good thing. :-)

[Nova]

I agree w/Ste...good post.
Age has something to do with it, yet when I watch Lemans 24, there are a lot of "older" drivers racing every year.
Im not sure how the fitness levels are comparing SPortscar racing and F1, but I bet they are pretty close.

I also think the current rules have quite a bit to do w/it. FA and Kimi have adapted well, but Massa has been having problems
since b4 his accident, when the rules changed from 08 to 09. Ste has pointed out what MS has done. More bad luck
than bad racing.

[Greig]

If so much has changed and MS is a bit alien to it all and is still trying to adapt then how can it then be said he is still a great developer and has brought Merc forward? I don't think that makes much sense to me as why would a driver struggling to adapt be able to develop the car. I think car development is a 2 way street with most of the onus on the engineers and design team rather than the driver in any case and that the claim Michael is a great developer is somewhat over exaggerated, sure he can lead a team to focus on him and his needs but if he is not able to understand the car and drive it at limits then the teams focus is being wasted. It's up to the engineers to give a driver what he needs, Michael will not be designing double DRS, or new aero parts, or a new floor to improve things, he off course will feedback what he thinks would help and then it is up to the team to deliver that.

If he is happy to keep racing and Merc are still happy with the PR he brings to them then I see no need for him to retire again in any case, this returning Michael is nowhere near as focused and committed as the Michael we had, he seems out for a bit of fun and the odd bit of racing, he is not going to lead Merc anywhere.

[justjesper]

What Ste said :)

[theforce]

As much as I want Shumi in the sport his shadow is doing no good for Rosberg plus his run of rookie mistakes is still on going.

[Italian Spirit]

For the ones of you who understand french, here is a proverb (unfortunately not easily translatable) that could answer to the question I asked to initiated this thread. It says: "On ne peut pas être et avoir été"

This old proverb refers to the reality of aging. We cannot be now as we were before. To paraphrase the title of a James Bond movie: "You only live once".

[Red passion]

I totally agree with Tobes.

Schumacher's performed great so far this year, qualifying well (out-qualified Nico in 2/5 races and had a DRS failure in Bahrain putting him out in Q1), racing well.

Retirement in Australia
Spun by Grosjean on lap 1 in Malaysia
Retirement because of a loose wheel in China
Started 22nd, finished 10th in Bahrain
Mistake in Spain

Out of the 5 races, 4 of them haven't been his fault. He was running well in Australia until the car broke down. Was in a good position in Malaysia until taken out by Grosjean. Running well, right behind Rosberg in China before the team forgot to put his wheel on properly. A pretty solid comeback in Bahrain after losing his DRS in Q1. Finally, a mistake in Spain (which was just a mis-judgement and a racing incident) where he hit Senna.

He's way behind in the points tables in comparison to Rosberg but that doesn't tell the story in any way. Schumacher's had no luck this season and only made one mistake (everyone makes at least 1 per season - Alonso spinning in Spa 2010 etc) so I hardly think people can say he's lost it because he's scored just two points.

Age might play a factor in some ways, but as Brundle and various others have repeated many times, he's still one of the fittest guys in the paddock and reactions were never his strong point. I think Michael has come good this year, in comparison especially to 2010. 2011 was ok, mainly the latter half but in 2012 we've seen a qualifying resurgence and solid race pace.

I think the story would be completely different had the car/team not failed him on 4 separate occasions. The points would look very different and so would people's views. Remember just a few races ago people were saying that he "was back" so it's pretty stupid to conclude everything from one mistake and the points table.

I don't buy into the whole 'age is a massive factor' thing. Damon Hill didn't start in F1 until he was 32 and won his Championship at 36. Schumacher won his final Championship when he was 35 - an age most would call 'old' for an F1 driver. People comparing Raikkonen's comeback obviously haven't got a clue. Kimi left when slicks, no TC, current Aero packages, engine regulations, KERS etc were already in place - little has changed since 2009. But since 2006, a lot has. I don't believe it should have taken him quite so long to adapt but it's still completely different from Kimi returning.

Michael will have had a lot more input into the Mercedes team than Nico, everyone knows what an amazing developer he is. They wouldn't be where they are now without Michael. He's loving his time back, more relaxed, happy, better media image...I don't believe he's going anywhere any time soon. I think that's a good thing. :-)

Good post, well said.:goodpoint

[Fiondella]

Merc could do much worse than put him out to Pastor ;-)

[Tobes]

Ste is spot on, Michael brings far more to Merc than what is initially apparent, as much as I agree he's not the force he was in his Ferrari years, if Merc can give him a competitive car I think he's better than say Webber all day, he's definately getting back into the swing of things and i've no doubt he'll move Merc forward (along with Ross) in the right direction, would not be at all surprised to see him on the podium a couple of times this season.
He's been pretty unlucky so far this season (as Ste has already demonstrated) but i'm thinking he will get his lucky day and that's no less than he deserves, i'm not suggesting he's still a top, top driver, but he's still better than half the current grid and as such should carry on as long as he'still competitive and enjoying himself... :-)

[Italian Spirit]

I think let's replace him with Massa at Ferrari so he can shine again. I am sure the guy still has some speed but he lacks the tools. Also this year he didn't have much luck too bad.

If Massa didn'have a bad luck called Glock in the 2008 Brazilian GP he would have been World Champion and you wouldn't be writing such insanities.

BTW I'm still not totally convinced that Glock behaviour was purely accidental... :Hmm

[Tifoso]

A slowing Michael is still faster than half the grid. So nope :-D

[Italian Spirit]

It surprises me to see how many people on this thread blame "bad luck" the poor results of MS, or hope for good luck to bring him back on the podium.

Sometimes, unny coincidence, they are the same that refers to luck to diminishes and/or explain the victories of other drivers. :roll

[Tifoso]

If Massa didn'have a bad luck called Glock in the 2008 Brazilian GP he would have been World Champion and you wouldn't be writing such insanities.

BTW I'm still not totally convinced that Glock behaviour was purely accidental... :Hmm

Not to mention a certain botched pit stop :-s

[Tobes]

If Massa didn'have a bad luck called Glock in the 2008 Brazilian GP he would have been World Champion and you wouldn't be writing such insanities.

BTW I'm still not totally convinced that Glock behaviour was purely accidental... :Hmm

Yeah, and had he not driven down the pit lane with the fuel hose still attached to the car (twice!) he would've been World Champion, and had Lewis not driven into the gravel trap on the entrance to the pit lane Kimi wouldn't have been World Champion...

If's and buts...

Oh, and of course Glock didn't let Lewis past, he won the WDC fair and square...

[Tobes]

It surprises me to see how many people on this thread blame "bad luck" the poor results of MS, or hope for good luck to bring him back on the podium.

Sometimes, unny coincidence, they are the same that refers to luck to diminishes and/or explain the victories of other drivers. :roll

No, that's just your (completely incorrect) assumption... :roll

[Italian Spirit]

Yeah, and had he not driven down the pit lane with the fuel hose still attached to the car (twice!) he would've been World Champion, and had Lewis not driven into the gravel trap on the entrance to the pit lane Kimi wouldn't have been World Champion...

If's and buts...

Oh, and of course Glock didn't let Lewis past, he won the WDC fair and square...

I'm not trying to diminish Lewis merit, I'm just questioning Glock "explanations":Hmm

[Tobes]

I'm not trying to diminish Lewis merit, I'm just questioning Glock "explanations":Hmm

Glock was simply on the wrong tires at the end of the race, perfectly valid explanation, not sure what there is to question..? :-)

[Italian Spirit]

Glock was simply on the wrong tires at the end of the race, perfectly valid explanation, not sure what there is to question..? :-)

:lol Are you serious or is it offbeat humor? :Hmm

[Cheeseman]

There's a saying in sport "If you're good enough, you're old enough". Michael is still good enough. Not sure the same can be said for Pedro

[Tobes]

:lol Are you serious or is it offbeat humor? :Hmm

...and therein lies the question..!

[sagi58]

A slowing Michael is still faster than half the grid. So nope :-D
:clap:rotfl:clap

[Red passion]

A slowing Michael is still faster than half the grid. So nope :-D

:rotfl

[FrankAlfa]

Quite frankly, Schumacher is well past his prime and his driving is very close to the poorest on the grid. But Schumacher has NOTHING to do with Ferrari anymore and his actions are quite irrelevant to Ferrari. That said, Massa is in the same boat regarding his driving quality. Ferrari have to try out new drivers in their simulator and move forward to find a replacement quickly. There are many out there hungry to jump into the F2012 as Fenando Alonso has shown that the F2012 is much improved and a force to be reckoned with. Any driver would love to take Massa's seat!

Ciao.

Forza Ferrari!!!!

[steelstallions]

The first two seasons i could not understand why he came back, the money was not the issue he made plenty as a Ferrari ambassador. This season though, I think he has begun to show the fruits of his hard work at Mercedes. He has been unlucky in races but he seems like a driver who could win again. Que Rocky music. He no longer races for Ferrari and now I see him so regular in Mercedes merchandise even the good old days at Ferrari are beginning to fade in memory. Strange that, as all i could think about was the golden years, up until halfway back in his first season for Mercedes. I still think it was a mistake for him to do what he did, the aura around him has gone, but along with it has the aura of past champions like Senna too. IMO it emphasises the fact they were untouchable champions in their era only, I doubt any of them could dominate in today's regulated to death, tip toe regulation minefield.

[nash929]

As the others said, Schumi's worth is far more that what we see during race day. In this age where Testing isn't what it used to be, Merc is able to prepare for their future. The previous two years was really bad for him performance-wise, but this year, he had some bad luck during the first four races, and at the Spanish GP, i still believe it was Bruno's fault. Yes, MS was the one at the back, but to me, it looked like Senna brake-tested him.

Correct me if i'm wrong, isn't this the last year of his contract? Was he ever extended?

[Red passion]

It is his last year, i haven't heard of any extension, i reckon if he signs a one year extension then that will be his last 12 mths in the sport. i want to see him get one more victory at least before he retires for real.

i think he is doing very well, hakkinen etc would not fair as well i think in the same circumstances

[Stormsearcher]

As much as I want Shumi in the sport his shadow is doing no good for Rosberg plus his run of rookie mistakes is still on going.

Nico who? You must realise that the only reason rosberg got any attention in the last 2 yrs until his recent victory was because of MS. So the "shadow" ms is casting on him is perhaps the only reason why he has a sponsor. :-P

[coolrunnings_99]

Michael Schumacher will win a GP this year.Or several of them.

Then again, personal preferences about people one has never met, are an even better source for an argumented debate, then, for example colour preferences.

[sav_pap]

Michael Schumacher will win a GP this year.Or several of them.

Sorry my friend but I doubt (and I hope not to)!

[Tony]

For me it's simple, time for MS to call it quits.... he should have never come back, he's only damaging his reputation IMHO....

[Tifoso]

There's a saying in sport "If you're good enough, you're old enough". Michael is still good enough. Not sure the same can be said for Pedro

What an awesome avatar! :wine

[Tifoso]

For me it's simple, time for MS to call it quits.... he should have never come back, he's only damaging his reputation IMHO....

Yup. He keeps it up, and people will remember him as a clean driver :-D

[Hornet]

Sorry my friend but I doubt (and I hope not to)!
Williams won in Barcelona last week. Strange things are going on this season. Anything can happen. :-D


For me it's simple, time for MS to call it quits.... he should have never come back, he's only damaging his reputation IMHO....
I doubt Schumi really cares about his reputation at this point. He still enjoys racing, and that's probably why he came back. I doubt he is on a mission to extend his WDC count to 10 or something.

[siberianlady]

Seeing Schumi 20 years and comeback T-shirts being flogged for €0.99 says it all for me. He is a legend and should let it go now.
And no i do not expect to see him in the Merc next year. Others are bringing in the cash now not Schumi.

[Corey]

Like Mercedes is in need of cash, I don't think they are choking on funds. They would rather keep MS than get someone who could bring in some money.

[coolrunnings_99]

Folks that had the inclination and the oportunity to race cars, and love cars, should know that inspite of F1 drivers being "ego planets" in their own right, there is that impulse, maybe better word for it is an addiction to racing.
Steve McQueen and Paul Newman, had a much better say on the subject, then what I am trying to point now.
Its got nothing to do with, fear, results, points, stats, whatever anybody else might me thinking of it, and it has everything to do with adrenaline and a certain state of mind.
Maybe a serious junkie would make an even better explanation of it.

What one as a fan might be thinking or worrying about MS or somebody elses reputation being boosted or busted, while racing, has got nothing in common with that persons supernatural grin on his face while he is actually racing it out.

[Cheeseman]

What an awesome avatar! :wine

Thanks :thumb

[bladeswing]

A slowing Michael is still faster than half the grid. So nope :-D

yes he is. he's also in a mercedes that's faster than more than half the grid. im not saying he should call it quits, but nobody should expect the same michael he was till the end of '06. if he wants to go on, its all good for the sport. the winningest champion in F1 history still part of the grid lineup. if he calls it quits, then the next headlines would talk of what a joke his attempted comeback was. just my thoughts

[brembo man]

Nico has 41 points so far. The chin has develpoed 2 points so far for Mercedes and plenty of development in body and fender repair for the team. I can only inagine how bad he's driving for real, if even Ross can't maneuver him more points than Nico. Switch there cars, install a radio in Nico's car directly connected to Todt It's not the Merc, or the pirellis, it's those two whoppins he took from Alonso. He can't shake it off. On a more pleasant note , he is ahead of De LaRosa by two! And would his knees be able to hold up if he was to jump up and down on the podium?

[Tony]

Yup. He keeps it up, and people will remember him as a clean driver :-D

Haha! :rotfl

[F2008]

Nico has 41 points so far. The chin has develpoed 2 points so far for Mercedes and plenty of development in body and fender repair for the team. I can only inagine how bad he's driving for real, if even Ross can't maneuver him more points than Nico.

Maybe Ross should make sure the wheels are fitted properly.

[Fiondella]

There's always the opportunity of driving the safety car. :pass:crazy

[fubar]

Maybe Ross should make sure the wheels are fitted properly.

+1

[scuderiaferrari]

How can can true ferrari fans slag schumi it makes me so angry

[Red passion]

How can true ferrari fans slag schumi it makes me so angry

+1

[Greig]

How can can true ferrari fans slag schumi it makes me so angry

Because he is

a) Not Ferrari
b) Not driving for Ferrari
and
c) Drives for Mercedes

[PaulW]

How can can true ferrari fans slag schumi it makes me so angry

They don't understand the meaning of respect.

[Greig]

They don't understand the meaning of respect.

The same MS that cut off the nose of Felipe in Canada, costing Ferrari points?

Respect? I see no comments that are disrespectful to his achievements at Ferrari?

[PaulW]

The same MS that cut off the nose of Felipe in Canada, costing Ferrari points?

Respect? I see no comments that are disrespectful to his achievements at Ferrari?

I see plenty of what I would call disrespectful comments about some past Ferrari drivers here.

[Greig]

I see plenty of what I would call disrespectful comments about some past Ferrari drivers here.

Show us some then :-)

[PaulW]

Show us some then :-)

One off the top of my head started "Kimi sucks"

[Greig]

One off the top of my head started "Kimi sucks"

When?

[PaulW]

When?

It was your post, do I really have to tell you when

[Greig]

It was your post, do I really have to tell you when

Go on then if you want to make claims.

[PaulW]

Its called a "search"

http://www.thescuderia.net/forums/showthread.php/28951-The-constant-and-boring-Massa-replaced-by-thread?p=678176#post678176

[Greig]

Its called a "search"

http://www.thescuderia.net/forums/showthread.php/28951-The-constant-and-boring-Massa-replaced-by-thread?p=678176#post678176

hahaha you take that well out of context but good effort (clue for you it was a joke in another boring Massa out thread), Kimi did suck that's why he got sacked, and that's being respectful :-)

[brembo man]

How can can true ferrari fans slag schumi it makes me so angry

No one has yet called him Twomacher because he can't catch his teamate, or the pensioner now that he's in his 60s, or the moaner for his going on about team orders, oh! I meant to say the tires are whats ruining his races. IMO he's still loved here to the point that many want him to win before Ferrari. That's what should make a Ferrari fan so angry. Ferrari gave him a good ride whern he did all that winning. The car had something to do with it.

[XXX132]

Because he is

a) Not Ferrari
b) Not driving for Ferrari
and
c) Drives for Mercedes


Given the almost reverential comments about eg. Senna on this site - a man who NEVER raced for Ferrari and in fact actually stopped us winning a championship - you'd think Schumi would be extended a little more courtesy and respect. Remember he left Benetton as a double world champion to come to Ferrari, helped turn the team around, and gave us the privilege of watching the history books being written. So he doesn't race for Ferrari any more, but we supposedly pride ourselves on our "history"... Really? Only until he cleared out his office apprently.

[Greig]

Given the almost reverential comments about eg. Senna on this site - a man who NEVER raced for Ferrari and in fact actually stopped us winning a championship - you'd think Schumi would be extended a little more courtesy and respect. Remember he left Benetton as a double world champion to come to Ferrari, helped turn the team around, and gave us the privilege of watching the history books being written. So he doesn't race for Ferrari any more, but we supposedly pride ourselves on our "history"... Really? Only until he cleared out his office apprently.

So a true Ferrari fan should be a MS fan too? Ferrari come first for true Ferrari fans I would believe. I see no comments that are anything about his time at Ferrari and nobody trying to change our history? How about Rubens? is he not part of the history yet he is ripped apart on here in general.

[Suzie]

Given the almost reverential comments about eg. Senna on this site - a man who NEVER raced for Ferrari and in fact actually stopped us winning a championship - you'd think Schumi would be extended a little more courtesy and respect.

I think he perhaps got a lot more respect on here while he was still at Ferrari as an adviser. A lot of that respect dwindled when he went and signed for another team.
Okay, he was perfectly entitled to do that given his ties with Mercedes, and he had every right to do what made him happy if he wanted to race again - but you have to understand that people thought Michael was 'one of us', and him signing for a new team when people believed he would be linked to Ferrari forever maybe left a sour taste in some mouths.

I loved Michael at Ferrari and was really pleased he stayed on at the team in some capacity after retiring - and I can't speak for anyone else but MY rose-tinted spectacles certainly fell off a bit when he went to Merc.

[Fiondella]

I think he perhaps got a lot more respect on here while he was still at Ferrari as an adviser. A lot of that respect dwindled when he went and signed for another team.
Okay, he was perfectly entitled to do that given his ties with Mercedes, and he had every right to do what made him happy if he wanted to race again - but you have to understand that people thought Michael was 'one of us', and him signing for a new team when people believed he would be linked to Ferrari forever maybe left a sour taste in some mouths.

I loved Michael at Ferrari and was really pleased he stayed on at the team in some capacity after retiring - and I can't speak for anyone else but MY rose-tinted spectacles certainly fell off a bit when he went to Merc.

Great post! :thumb

[sav_pap]

We must not forget that Ferrari owes to Schumacher (for the period 2000-2006).
But have you ever thought what he owes to Ferrari ???
:Hmm

[Suzie]

Great post! :thumb

Well, it was overdue ;-)

[jkwaggener]

IMHO, yes, it is time for (arguably the best that ever lived in F1), to enjoy his billions and retire...

[Red passion]

So a true Ferrari fan should be a MS fan too? Ferrari come first for true Ferrari fans I would believe. I see no comments that are anything about his time at Ferrari and nobody trying to change our history? How about Rubens? is he not part of the history yet he is ripped apart on here in general.

What did Rubens do for us

[Greig]

What did Rubens do for us

5 WCC, not much I guess :-)

[jkwaggener]

Touche' Grieg, touche'...

[Red passion]

5 WCC, not much I guess :-)

I was thinking about his book against us

[Greig]

I was thinking about his book against us

Have you read it?

[Red passion]

Have you read it?

Just reviews of it and ppl who read it say he does not portray the team well.

Also the thing that ferrari threatened him seems a bit strange to come out recently.

[Corey]

People like MS or Rubens did drive for us, and they did do us good. Honorable achievements or championships that's worth a mention. That did earn them many fans on here. But now that they're gone, they're finished, done, out, not part of the Ferrari family anymore. People can continue to like them if they wish to, but I don't see how people could call themselves a Ferrari fan while wanting them to win or achieve even more.

[aroutis]

People can continue to like them if they wish to, but I don't see how people could call themselves a Ferrari fan while wanting them to win or achieve even more.If our team is not competitive I cannot see why not?
On the other hand, if our team IS competitive, I 'd rather see our team winning than them. Simple really :)

[Corey]

Oh sorry left something out in my post


don't see how people could call themselves a Ferrari fan while wanting them to win or achieve even more than us.