Franco, I think the reason Andreas is saying that is based on the Press Conference which is on another thread. Apparently, MS came pretty close to being paralyzed from his Motorbike Accident and in addition to his Neck and Head Injuries, there was an injury to an Artery to the back of his head, that has slowed down his reaction times.
Based on today's confessions he certainly sounds done. With a neck injury that bad what made him think he'd even be remotely fit in the first place? Hopefully it wasn't some dreamt up money making scheme. Regardless it provided a temporary shot in the arm for F1. In the meantime I'm sure people are canceling their plans for Valencia as we speak.
That plus being 40. Today's F1 is a sport of the young men. Experience and talent can support you only so far. Many years ago Schumacher said, that he will retire once a younger guy will show up and beat him. That guy came and took two WDCs from Schumi and he realized that the end has come and did the right thing by retiring. Now he is sentimental and has the urge to get into the cockpit again. But time has only worked against him since.
+1 correct times have moved on and IMO this new generation of F1 drivers are fitter and train harder than they ever have before. MS could have put it on pole I have no doubt but lasting a whole race on the limit ..that I doubt with a good neck.
He wouldn't have put the F60 on pole. Not even if he was 25. Besides: Raw speed is the first thing that goes away.
I rate the car F60 as of now! a bit more than you do, but thats a minor detail to my point as it's more of race attrition rate on a 40 year body compared to one half his age. Thinking about it your probably right! Vettel JB LH Webber all have showed they can pull it out the hat much like MS used to do @ the last min.
