+1 That '93 Benetton too was a bear of a car too. No one liked that thing but Schu drove it....somehow.
Interesting. Particularly since these guys don't seem to have a problem with the current cars: Button (46 pts), Heidfeld (21 pts), Alonso (41 pts), Massa (24 pts), Webber (55 pts) They've all been around at some point in the years you mention.
Well you're certainly right, and they have either, a) been along for the evolution of the cars and haven't any problem with them, or b) Schu just cannot adapt to them. I believe both to be true.
A number of successful drivers were unable to adapt from front to rear engined cars. While there wasn't that sort of sea change during Mike's hiatus F1 tech moves at an amazing rate these days and its not surprising that he hasn't ben able to adapt.
It's still early If MS gets owned by Rosberg at Catalunya, Monaco, or Montreal (some of his "strongholds") then I'm not sure what hope there is left.
Then how can anyone quantify MS then vs. MS now? The dynamics of the situation Niki left and came back in are identical to what MS has done, and Niki was gone longer, IIRC. MS worked with great managers and engineers then, and he is working with them now, so how's that working out? It apparently isn't. I give MS all due respect, but I am not looking at it thru rose colored glasses, he is not the same driver he was five years ago.
I'm not even sure he thinks that, from reports. but does he deserve his seat? Surely he's as deserving as Rubens, for example. does he do a better job than the force india and virgin drivers, as another example? probably. I don't know what the fuss is about. As has been said many times, if the number 2 driver always got kicked out, there would be no 2 driver teams! So he's not as good as Nico (it seems)....that's always the case with 2 driver teams. He's done a couple of stupid screw ups. but so have most of the top current drivers....but I don't watch him drive and think "he's a disgrace and shouldn't be there" Let's not compare him to the MS of years ago...let's just compare him to the other drivers now on the grid. I think he's ok. I wish people would just leave him alone (and all the other 'hated' drivers) and let them drive.
I believe that MS was pushed out in favor of Kime. Niki decided himself to walk away from Brabham, and then eventually to retire from Ferrari, if I'm recalling correctly?
Ok I agree there to an extent. Same driver, just unable to come to grips with these cars which of course used to never be a problem, especially 10-15 years ago when he was supernatural. So if you want to view that as not being at the same skill level, ok.
I'm proud of you John. The first step has been made. It is a ten step program and I guarantee you, at the end of it, you will throw away your Dekra hat.
+1000 I don't recall, and it doesn't matter, the only thing I was referring to is Niki stepped away, and came back 4-5 years later and won a WDC in a totally different type of car/engine combination. Color it however you like, all I merely said is he isn't the same driver he was five years ago. Few are when you get over 40 - or even over 35.
