I agree that a forum is about differing opinions. You're quite right EMSC. And, since it seems you are not the ostrich you claim to be; you'll have seen this is my whole point!
A forum is a place for an open debate and an open mind, unless you disgaree with someone's views...........
The thread isn't breaking any rules, and its a good way to keep all this discussion in one place. Keeps the rest of the threads fresh
I don't see why a thread should be closed becuase some people don't like its content. Maybe in the forum rules area you should explain what a forum is for, as certain posters can't seem to grasp the concept of a differing view.
It's ridiculous though. You've got Cosi and his obvious hatred of the old fart, and EMSC with his obvious love of the old fart. This'll rumble on forever at this rate.
I'd also suggest that it serves as a good example of how a debate should be conducted BLS, when the almost inevitable disagreement of opinion emerges. Martial and I may have conflicting opinions about various things, but we have maintained a real level of respect to each other whilst presenting our cases, and I am genuinely pleased that he has joined this forum. He never resorts to personalised insults and has made a genuine attempt to argue his point logically. - Quality! And I extend the warmest of welcomes to him. Yes, good point ASChris. Unfortunately some of our members are still finding it difficult to deal with opinions which differ from their own. It seems the only way they can deal with it is to plead for any counter-arguments to be shut down by closing the thread!
Well, surely even "ridiculous" is a matter of some opinion Kyle? Something I should add to this response Kyle, is that not particularly liking someone is very different to hatred. I do not particularly like Schumacher (in case you hadn't guessed); but I do not hate him at all. I think this is a very important distinction, since the rather extreme word 'hate' tends to be used rather too often and can be poisonous to otherwise healthy debate.
thanks for the kind words cc , must admit the mix of knowledgable people and stimulating debate is a vast improvement on the old bbc 606 , i created this thread in the hope it would provoke a lively but friendly debate for anybody that had an opinion about micheal , knowing how opinion is split about schumacher i thought that most of us would have an opinion about him ,so in that respect the topic hopefully proved to be enjoyable to take part in --
Continuing the debate, how does everyone rate Kimi? What he really that good? Did Ferrari make a mistake swapping him for Schumacher? Me in my honest opinion think's he was good enough. Or should Ferrari have tried to buy Alonso knowing that he was leaving Renault anyway?
I believe there is some truth (this time) in the rumour that he is about to return to F1, Sam; which may give us a chance to make a more informed assessment. Few people within the realms of motor racing doubt his ultimate pace (on tarmac), but I have always questioned his work ethic and his ability to help develop a car, as well as his widely renowned inconsistency. For this reason, I think Sir Frank Williams is making a mistake if the rumour turns out to be true (and I wouldn't put it past Frank to take such a gamble when he knows that to do so will attract a lot of interest and help generate some much-needed cash). I also feel that whilst Raikkonen managed to accrue the necessary number of points to claim a World Drivers' Championship, he has a greater claim to it being 'lucky' than any other driver since the 80s.
clearly KR was a big dissapointment for ferrari , i think it took him a long time to get used to the change from michelin to bridgestone by which time massa had the confidence to take it to kimi and then some , i also dont think he ever got used to the understeer tendancies of the aldo costa chassis"s and never had the nous to be able to dial it out , his lack of feedback or rather his unwillingness to participate in any real detailed feedback about his ferrari machines in the way that schumacher did never endeared him to the ferrari suits - clearly KR was quick in a newey chassis and michelin tyres , take him out of that comfort zone and his flaws were there for everybody to see - in hindsight i believe schumacher would of made more of the 07 and 08 chassis"s --
Well Ferrari replaced him with Alonso, and then signed Alonso until 2016. That tells me a lot about what Ferrari think of Kimi Raikkonen - he wasn't nearly as good as they expected.
I think Raikkonen would have been Schumachers strongest ever teammate and I don't think it is clear cut who would have won, Imagine how much better kimi's stats would have been with better reliability. Also Psychology seems to be a big weapon in F1 but one I think would have no effect on the iceman
A lot is made of Kimi's apparent lack of motivation after he won in 2007. If Kimi had happened to win the WDC in 2003 or 2005 I wonder if the same thing would have happened? Personally, I don't think so. I think he thought that he'd be welcomed back to McLaren, or at least a front end team, but it all went south. Perhaps this is all a preamble to replacing Schu again at Merc for 2013?
Well Heinz, I seem to remember someone saying (possibly on Muzz606) that they would eat their hat if Raikkonen ever made a return to F1!
