Is it time for Schumacher to call it quits?

[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...

[Tifoso]

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

[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.

[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...

Not to mention a certain botched pit stop

[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...

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.

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

[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"

[Tobes]

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

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..?

Are you serious or is it offbeat humor?

[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]

Are you serious or is it offbeat humor?

...and therein lies the question..!

[sagi58]

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

[Red passion]

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

[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.

[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!

[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

[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.

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!

Thanks

[bladeswing]

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

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