Hey, Us here in the peanut gallery seem to vary between "he's gonna blow their doors off!" thru to "he's stupid to attempt it" - I figured it's time for a poll!... As we know, your first job in F1 is to beat your teammate - Will he?
I assume you mean MS? I think he'll come on like a bull in an Apple Store.... he'll be strong, but given 15 solid months not driving an F1 car will make mistakes right and left, and hopefully not knock someone else (or himself) out of the race from 'trying too hard'. I don't expect him to qualify in the points because I think he'll be race-shy in qualifying, and the other drivers will be out for blood, and have RECENT chops on the track which Schumie lacks. I think he'll be in the points at the end, but not make a podium - not even close. Add to that the Ferrari F60 cars have not been very good this year. That's MY prediction.... and I'm a MS fan Jedi
Err, yeah - Sorry, who else would I be talking about? Him and mistakes seems like an oxymoron to me! - Reports suggest he's already turning *consistent* lap times at Mugello.....
I think he will blow Kimi's doors off. He's ready, no doubt about that. People act like he hasn't driven since he retired. That's pretty much all he does.
Doesn't most of the field these days? Certainly NOT in 2009 F60 F-cars.... unless straight lines count...
I thought about posting that but I kind of felt bad for Kimi. Or not True, he hasn't driven the F60 until today/tomorrow's test but many are questioning whether he's still any good at all.
He CAN'T drive the F60 except in a straight line. He's been working out in a 2007 car - very much NOT the same thing. FIA MAY give a variance and allow him to practice in the F60 but hasn't happened yet. Current FIA rules do not allow him to drive the F60 in testing - just limited straight line runs. That's NOT racing practice! I'm NOT down on MS by ANY stretch. I just think that he's going to have a rough go of it in Valencia for LOTS of reasons - zero practice in the silly 2009 cars, no real race practice for 15 months, his age, his fitness to handle the G's and stresses of driving (I HOPE he's on a crash diet and gym regimen!), and the hubris of the rest of the field having MS thrown into the mix so unexpectedly... LOTS of factors, to me, put him at the back of the pack - low qualifying, and MAYBE at the back of the points at the checkered flag. Not to mention he's FORTY. Jedi
I don't particularly care for ol' Spoonface and think that Kimi's familiarity with the F60 will give him a significant advantage unless he gets bonked on the head by a spring from Rubens' car. That being said, I think MS and Hamilton will take eachother out on the first lap.
Mark my words....the 1st race he will be on the poduim....and for the Monza race he will "win" Just remember you heard it first.....and from me. If the car craps out...then of course all bets are off, but i doubt the car will crap out, he knows how to treat it during a race.
I think that might br reaching, I do however agree that there will be a lot of very surprised folk out there about just how quick he still is. I can hear Ross telling his guys now "don't underestimate his skills, it will bite you".
He probably won't do any worse than the current year's typical F race results. I just think if RB can win a few then MS will certainly stand a great chance. Time will tell.
Shall we bet a coffee at Cutters Point? If he makes the podium I owe you, if he makes the points with no podium, it's a draw, and if he completely bombs out (no points) you owe me....? Talking Valencia, of course... Are we on? Jedi ps - CGT on Sunday, right????
Kimi is still among my favorite driver's ever despite his lack of performance the past year and a half. That being said Schumacher is not human when he's behind the wheel of a car. He will instantly make Ferrari a contender for wins. Yes you heard that here, just wait and see...
In his first race I'd be surprised if he finished very near the front, that is a bit too much to expect. I think he will do well and possibly score a point or two, but I'd take Kimi to finish ahead of him. Given a decent car he'll do better in subsequent races. I don't think there's any chance he and Hamilton will take each other off on lap one, they won't be close enough to one another.
Man how pissed will the world be if Hambone took Schumacher out? He might decide to run hard and long until the angry mob that follows him have disappeared
Schumi also has to pass a medical exam, after his motorbike neck injury in February. http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/motor-racing/massa-vows-to-come-back-this-year-1765813.html (emphasis added) *Everything* is a competition, to these guys. After a basil skull fracture, it would probably be insanity to let Felipe race in Valencia. But I suspect Schumi might not get seven races out of this season. Massa sounds really hyped to get his car back.
I think many will be surprised that he is just mortal. A very intense and skilled one. He will do similar lap times as Kimster as both will be trying to prove something. Ferrari will benefit.
oops I thought you were talking about Hamilton. I voted for He'll blow Kimi's doors off... Wait, I didn't think F1 cars had doors.
I'm not sure what result I was expecting when I started this, but I certainly didn't think more than 50% would put him ahead of Kimi - Talk about "high expectations!"...... One things for sure - The world will be watching! - Even those cynics who claim the whole thing is fixed and was the reason he retired..... Cheers, Ian
The people in question are very quiet these days. Probably because they can't explain how Max made that spring hit Massa
MS is an awesomw driver no doubt, but the F60 is still a pig and you can put lipstick on a pig but it is still a pig. While I believe if anyone can get the most out of the car I din't think the car is enough to be a winner.
