From ITV: Michael Schumacher was satisfied with his performance on first day back in a Formula 1 car in more than 15 months. The seven-time world champion began serious preparation for his impending return to F1 competition by putting a 2007 Ferrari through its paces at Mugello on Friday. Schumacher had spent time on the simulator at Ferrari’s Maranello factory on Thursday and quickly got back into the groove during Friday’s testing, completing 67 laps with a best time of 1m23.736s. The German said his pace and consistency had been reassuring, even if the specification of the car he was driving was less than ideal. “It’s a great thing getting back on the track with an F1 machine, even if this was a car from 2007 from the F1 Clienti department with slicks usually used in GP2, and obviously there is no real reference point. “After a couple of laps I was able to drive consistent lap times and I’m happy with the performance. “Now we’ve got to see how my body and the muscles respond in the next days.” It emerged on Friday that Ferrari is seeking dispensation for Schumacher to test its current F60 car, which would require an exemption from the in-season testing ban. The Italian squad noted that the Mugello test was a private affair managed by Ferrari’s F1 Clienti department, which prepares former grand prix cars for wealthy enthusiasts.
He is still in great shape, but he is right in his concern over his body over the next couple days. He may feel things he has not felt for quite some time. Regardless of this, I believe he has plenty of time to have himself properly conditioned once the initial growing pains are overcome.
Bet he is on crash diet IIRC the drivers this year are leaner than ever before because of the layout of the cars and the need to have the right weight distribution. He also still has restricted movement in his neck from his fall off a Honda bike.
Movement in an F1 car with the HANS on is very restrictive anyway. So I doubt that will be a problem.
He is racing guys half his age!! don't get me wrong I would love to see him do well, but he may find it harder than he thought. The weight of expectation of some on here well....we shall see.
You're right, my friend....the expectations are quite lofty. I would consider a points position a massive win in Valencia. However, it is GREAT to see this level of passion/fervor return to F1....hell even my wife is talking about it
You're right about that Steve. "Le Passione" gets the best of us sometimes. But I do think he'll show pretty well in the later races, once his neck is back in driving shape. I'm really looking forward to Abu Dhabi because no one else will have raced there either and he'll have 6 races in the F60 under his belt by then. Once thing is for sure, he'll make my F1 Tipping picks much more difficult. And now that I finally managed to get to 1st place!
its like rideing a bike , you never forget how, and M.S. , he has that competitive edge you don`t usally see out there, I think he will drive it like he never left, IMO
I'm sure he'll be fine. He could drive fast in a shoebox. These cars are also slower than years past..... Besides - I doubt he'll ever admit if something was wrong anyways...
I'm a huge Michael fan so I'll be rooting for him. But I won't be commiting a pick to him for a podium just yet. Spa, however, is another story
They are in fact slower, but I don't know if I would characterize it as a LOT slower. In some cases this year the times have only been a couple of tenths off of the record setting paces of the early 2000's.
