Schumacher and Ferrari
Discussion
Have just finished watching the Melbourne GP. The thing that struck me in the post race news conference is that Schumacher seems to be a total Ferrari fan.
Not just because he has won with them, he won with Bennetton but did not stay with them. Instead (so it seems to me) he joined Ferrari, when they were a middle ranking team, knowing he could take them to the top of F1.
Even now after he has bested numerous F1 records of race wins, championships etc...he still chooses to stay with Ferrari.
What is this strange power the marque has over people?!
Not just because he has won with them, he won with Bennetton but did not stay with them. Instead (so it seems to me) he joined Ferrari, when they were a middle ranking team, knowing he could take them to the top of F1.
Even now after he has bested numerous F1 records of race wins, championships etc...he still chooses to stay with Ferrari.
What is this strange power the marque has over people?!
But he also knew that the Ford engine in the Benetton was going to be too uncompetitive with the William's Renault engine to enable even him to overcome....I bet he sniffed around Williams before signing for Ferrari, though.
But he did turn around Ferrari's fortunes - Todt had been slaving away for 3 years before he got Schu on board.
I can't see anyone catching him - but there is a number of hot races to come (Malaysia being one of them) and that'll give us an indication of how good the Bridgestone is versus the Michelin in such conditions. (did anyone notice how much wider the Bridgestone front tyres are this year as compared with last year?)
But he did turn around Ferrari's fortunes - Todt had been slaving away for 3 years before he got Schu on board.
I can't see anyone catching him - but there is a number of hot races to come (Malaysia being one of them) and that'll give us an indication of how good the Bridgestone is versus the Michelin in such conditions. (did anyone notice how much wider the Bridgestone front tyres are this year as compared with last year?)
Loyalty my arse.
If, 2yrs into his contract at Ferrari, one of the other teams was more competitive, and were prepared to pay him, he would have moved.
Schumacher is in the game to win and to make as much cash as he can. It matters not to him which team colours he's flying.
Absolutely nothing wrong with that in the context of the sport, but to think that he is captivated by the awe of the Ferrari marque is, I believe, mistaken.
Only now, after winning the championship 6 times, is the guy beginning to loosen up a notch.
Still the best driver on the grid by a long way though, and Ferrari have easily the best team.
If only there were points for charisma. Few would have been scored at the weekend, but we can live in hope
If, 2yrs into his contract at Ferrari, one of the other teams was more competitive, and were prepared to pay him, he would have moved.
Schumacher is in the game to win and to make as much cash as he can. It matters not to him which team colours he's flying.
Absolutely nothing wrong with that in the context of the sport, but to think that he is captivated by the awe of the Ferrari marque is, I believe, mistaken.
Only now, after winning the championship 6 times, is the guy beginning to loosen up a notch.
Still the best driver on the grid by a long way though, and Ferrari have easily the best team.
If only there were points for charisma. Few would have been scored at the weekend, but we can live in hope
Murph, 2 years into his contract another team was more competitive and I am sure would have spoken to herr Weber about him - McLaren....
I think Schu gets off on the team being built around him more than the cash - he's conservatively worth USD250m already - so I guess the money doesn't motivate him that much....sure, the top driver always wants to be paid the most, but in his case I think the team thang is what gets him on the boil
I think Schu gets off on the team being built around him more than the cash - he's conservatively worth USD250m already - so I guess the money doesn't motivate him that much....sure, the top driver always wants to be paid the most, but in his case I think the team thang is what gets him on the boil
McLaren opening targetted him from 97 through 99 (maybe even 2000).
There can be no better buzz than taking Ferrari back to the top of the motorsport arena.
Regardless of your views on Schumacher, he has attracted and lead a world class team, whilst being the most magnanimous 'team member'. Add in his skill and control....not difficult to see why is the most successful driver ever!
Shame biggotted brits still drag up 10 year old incidents to justify their racism!!!
There can be no better buzz than taking Ferrari back to the top of the motorsport arena.
Regardless of your views on Schumacher, he has attracted and lead a world class team, whilst being the most magnanimous 'team member'. Add in his skill and control....not difficult to see why is the most successful driver ever!
Shame biggotted brits still drag up 10 year old incidents to justify their racism!!!
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