Thats was the season they brought Lewis in, 2007. Mika tested in 2006 for a chance to race again in 2007..and he was just too slow.
Ok, I'm confused now: Are the comments above your opinion or did you find that somewhere? Looking at the link you posted, it doesn't actually say that. I think there is little chance MS ends up in the top six in Barca, so that would mean DiResta might get his seat already at Monaco. I haven't seen any report that MS is in such immediate danger of loosing his seat so I'd like to know the source of that comment. If it is your opinion, then ok, but I'd like to know that. Just curious. Thanks.
Today ms stated he is still motivated; also MB has stated they are supporting him completely. I'll try and post that link.... http://mobile.reuters.com/regional/article/idAFJOE74C0EX20110513?edition=af Not sure if this is related; but hulkenberg and wili weber have split....
For starters, if he doesn't go anywhere it'd only be due to breach of contract. I bet MB wants him out too, especially for what he's getting paid. As for your second statement, you got to be blind man. Great drivers ADAPT QUICKLY to different cars, tracks, tires, etc. And he's getting beaten CONSISTENTLY by his teammate ON THE SAME CAR... that he helped develop. Stop making excuses for the guy already . It's BOTH man. But that's what happens when you think others age but not you . Ever since he announced his 'comeback', I knew he'd fail. I just didn't think it'd be a miserable failure, but it was. Now, he's going to be remembered as a loser in the eyes of many. Unless he needed the money (unlikely), I bet he's going to regret that move for the rest of his life.
Not sure about that part. Yes it is bad for his reputation, but driving F1 for a couple years might just have saved him from another and potentially fatal bike accident. Then again there was Abu Dhabi last fall where it all could have ended up like Imola 94. Saved only by the grace of God.
Oh yeah, he's nowhere near the worst driver on the grid. ...as a HUGE MS fan I have to agree that age has caught up to him. The excuses have run out, though it's early and I hope he proves me wrong.
No, the MB board has zero to do with whether Schu stays or not. Schu decides if Schu stays and no one else.
The financial benefits Schu has brought to the team alone are more then enough to keep him on. He remains the most popular driver on the grid by a long way
Based on what? If you look at the German speaking press you see nothing but negativity re MS and Vettel is now Germanys idol. If you read the blogs it is at least half of them negative towards MS As for the money statement: MS is certainly keeping the team and MB in the news but at some point they want these news to be good. I think once they have a car making it to the podium but only one driver doing so, they will arrange for his departure. I don't foresee a public sacking but MS will probably use a drivers meet the press session to announce that he had enough. We'll see
No such thing as bad publicity, and I can't imagine a team or owner would pay much attention to what the press are saying. By everyone's logic, Webber needs to retire too then as he has not been nearly as competitive as his teammates. The superiority of the Red Bull is blinding people to what Webber's real capabilities are. See what I mean?
Well, I can. For a car manufacturer the F1 exercise is basically a marketing exercise. So public opinion matters a great deal. And we all know how public opinion is affected by the press. In addition any team depends on sponsorship money and sponsors want to hear good news, not bad publicity. Vettel is the team's darling and he is performing accordingly. With MB Schumacher was supposed to be their lead driver and he gets absolutely clobbered by Rosberg for the second year in a row. Unlike Webber who had a chance at winning the WDC up until the very last race last year. A great car makes any driver look good, agreed. Webber never looked better than last year. But: Webber was also very close to Vettel. Unlike Rosberg who drives circles around MS. Last year and this.
Not so far this year. At least last year Webber was winning races, it's barely a competition this year against his teammate. And yes, Schu is still the better driver than Rosberg but his driving style simply cannot translate to these cars. Everyone at Brackley knows he is a better driver and a more aggressive driver which is the problem. Senna would have had the same problem, only the tires would have been toasted even more quickly. It barely feel like F1 any more with this stuff......
Except your overlooking a huge point. The team as a whole is getting better, and you can bet MB is pleased with that. Granted Rosberg has been beaten MS, and he hasn't gotten the results anyone wants, but his contribution & feedback are helpIng to move MB up the grid... The feedback on how to imprOve the car is only coming from two people MS & Rosberg. Di Resta & Hulkenberg might be fast, but there is a reason MS is in that seat, and not the others....
Andreas, The German Media is a very fickle bunch according to my German Friends, they build up a person (MS) and as soon as something goes wrong, they are quick to break them down. Kind of like Media all over the world. In Schumacher's case, considering the glory he has brought to Germany as the first World Champion and holder of all statistical records, it is a bit disappointing the way they are treating him. Obviously Vettel is the man on the rise and MS has seen his glory years, but this is just typical Media BS.
MS is racing because he likes it. So the PR story is. Facts: Cannot out perform his team mate. Cannot drive as fast as he was. He simply is not the same. Nor is the sport or the cars. Is not the king of anything but what happend with him in the past The press here is not supportive Will not be missed when he leaves again Is not missed now here in Germany Prediction: Will not win another F1 race Will not drive next year Will regret this in the long run more than relish its memory.
Interesting. You're confirming what I see from just checking the German websites. I noticed how eg. Hesseler (F1 reporter for German Speedweek) who defended MS all of last year is starting to ask questions whether MS still has it. The tone is definitely changing, not just in the boulevard press like Bild but also in the more serious magazines.
Do you honestly think schu is going to wake up someday thinking 'wow - I'm embarrassed I tried to come back after 3 years at my age?' guys like him don't think like that; that's why they are champions (see also Michael Jordan) Can't believe this is even being discussed. Who the f cares if he quits this week or at the end of next year? He's accomplished more than even he thought possible.....
Yes he has. The novelty of the come back has worn off severely. He didnt need to do this. He has had more bad days than good. If he was a younger driver, he would be average at best right now. He was granted a come back because of WHO he was. Not what he is. What he is right now is mid pack with a team mate walking past him quite easily.
Yes. It reflects what real people say here. My friends and others in company around town all look at this as its time for him to move on. Fans of F1 are looking at Vettel and Nico and right past MS. Time for the seat to be passed on.