Interesting Interview with Schumacher

It would be one of the great stories of F1 if MS could again be successful. History suggests there are long odds.

 

Decent interview- thanks for sharing. I agree that he seems to be eating some humble pie which to me is more respectable than casting blame elsewhere.

It's an odd dynamic. I felt early on he was too laid back and not hungry enough. Now he seems to be pushing too hard and making mistakes. His feel for the edge appears dulled. I still think it's a respectable return- but it certainly falls short of most expectations- especially his own.

I do find it interesting and at least in public, he seems to have more respect for the youger pilots- most noteably his team mate. I think this is a good thing and it will be interesting to see how he responds to the challenge and that will be his greatest failure or achievement.

I certianly hope for the later.

 

Excellent interview.

Thanks for sharing.

It is very refreshing to have a driver that is capable of admitting his shortcomings and being very straightforward in an interview.

He did not criticize his own team, teammate, or the other drivers around him, but gave everyone their fair due...

This interview showed him in a VERY positive light...

Frank

 

He doesn't look/sound hungry either. It's almost as if he has not motivation or desire to change things.

 

Actually it might be that MS has had his "Lance Armstrong moment" where he has realized that his dominance is a thing of the past and he is just savoring the whole circus on this last pass through...

Last time through for two great 7-time champions...

Frank

 

Sometimes I think somehow Mercedes made him come back--some old contract he signed in th epast...

 

It could also be that this season is one long test session. Remeber that MS and Brawn have never been outwitted for too long.

 

To MS's credit he hasn't played the "neck" card........yet.

I am very impressed that he is simply acknowledging that he is no longer the top dog and is not making many excuses that he could be making...

The simple truth of the matter is that it looks as though he is no longer competitive in the current F1 environment, even according to Bernie and Sir Jackie.

It is what it is...

Frank

 

I don't think he was ever that arrogant coming into the season. That was all the MS lovers and haters projecting on to him. He'll be fine.

 

You obviously didnt watch the full BBC program then. Alonso yes, aparently he was too "Angry" to talk to the BBC. Webber and Rosberg gave interviews. Hamilton managed to do 2 after the race and also did the whole Pub thing with EJ and Jake along with Jenson.

If you ever come to the Aussie GP, you can wonder around Crown Casino and see most of the grid walking around in there. Ive seen Alonso a few times and he just looks like a sourpuss in general. His wife is smoking though.

 

No. Mercedes was the team that brought him into Le Mans and taught him all he needed for F1. He always celebrated his WDCs with Haug from Mercedes. It is an old love and passion of his. Which would be perfectly fine, if he hadn't told Ferrari and the fans that Ferrari would be his last team.

I'm happy to take bets against Schumacher for the following season. Although I doubt we'll see him finish that one anyhow.

If you believe that, then I have some land to sell to you. And you really don't know what MS is all about.

 

Great interview.. MS is always a gentleman. Atleast he didn't blame favourtism

 

Did you watch the interviews after the Rascasse parking in 2006?

You also might want to have a word with his brother or with other drivers like Hill, Villeneuve and Barrichello and see what they think about the gentlemanly attitude.

 

Guys...since day one MS has said before picking the crap out of the car he has to catch and pass Nico..this isn't new.

He's learnt humility with age and he seems a much better person for it. I'm enjoying him being back, no matter how he performs. He's not coming last, and he's not making too many mistakes.

If he's not as good as Nico, so what?? F1 is, for better or worse, a marketing exercise and even if no one is happy with his results, you can be sure they're happy with the coverage. EVERYONE's talking about him and mercedes.

 

While I'm not disagreeing with this statement it is a far cry from all the "Kaiser dominates" predictions after the preseason testing. Those comments have disappeared amongst the fans as much as in the press (I remember Dem Bild hurraying him into the motorsport heaven in January and now politely telling him to retire).

 

So what? The fans expected him to dominate...the press expected him to dominate.....I think it would have been great if he'd dominated (sentimental old fool that I am)...but he's not. Too many people have opinions and only a couple matter, and those aren't any of us or the press.

I wish I knew what HE thinks.....reading his mind would be interesting I reckon.

I still have the utmost respect for any of the guys on that grid but mostly for him...not just for what he's done, but for what he's doing too. His current challenge is as big as any he's had, maybe bigger.

 

Honestly I think he is hugely disappointed and not enjoying himself. And I'm not saying that as a basher but as somebody who has followed his career and read books about him ever since he put that Jordan on 7th (?) spot at Spa.

True dat.

It is probably as big as when he joined Ferrari. But the ban on testing makes all the difference. I said here he is over the hill, but meanwhile I believe the ban on testing has a much bigger negative influence on his performance than his age.

 

Just like you prediced Alonso would dominate. Haha!!!!

 

Well, at least he is a realist then. Unlike some charlatans on certain boards basically awarding him the title before the season started. Suffer *****es, suffer!

 

I doubt that I said that about this season. Quite the opposite: I said Ferrari will have to replace their car by June because they flawed their design. They didn't replace it after all, but made big changes to it and are still behind.

Also I remember I accepted the Alonso more points than MS bet with very much mixed feelings.

 

I think all the MS bashing comments are premature. Bash him two years from now when his contract is up and he retired for good(pending bashing is required, and it might be, or might not).

How many of these young guys are going to be around to finish in the top ten in F1 when they are 41? After three years off?

As for the interview, I believe he has realized how hard F1 has become, and how much one mistake can hurt. Halfway through his first year back, and I think he has eaten a big piece of humble pie. I still believe he is easing his way back into it.

The biggest thing that is hurting him and Brawn, like someone else said, is the testing ban. (I still think it's possible that MS and Brawn are using this whole season as their testing for next years car). Once the season starts, if your not reasonably close to the top teams, its going to be a long season, and that is what we are seeing with Mercedes GP. That is why MS has said he wants to work on next years car.

Alex