He's not tarnishing his greatness at all. What he achieved in his "first" career was unprecedented in sport. I think people should understand (and perhaps Schumacher himself) that F1 had moved on greatly in the the three years he was absent and he's very much part of that past generation of which he is the only surviving member. Schumacher's career with Mercedes will merely be an epilogue in his biography to a stunning career.
That said Mercedes were appalling this weekend. Bad calls made all round, no speed in the car. Terrible.
I am used to the same **** from the same people now. But I well up when **** like this happens in a race, Brundle did say that car no.7 has been the most unreliable this season, with that only twice has Schumacher ruined his own race out of the 7 DNF's.
Maybe his the potential 2013 season will be his last, but possibly his strongest in the 2nd coming to F1. Mercedes were weak, and it shows that money isn't everything, again watching Caterham mixing it with the mid fielders brought a smile back on my face.
We all know/remember what he did for Ferrari, what he did against Senna back in Bennetton, and the bad moments he had.
This man has played out his life infront of the TV cameras for all of us to judge (thinking we know best), like him or not, we are coming to the end of what has been an extraordinary/long career of a man enjoying what he does, he may be getting tired now and time may be running out, but one thing does not lack, and that is spirit, he has given himself to F1, and that may be his undoing.
I can safely say,
There will never be anybody like him again, have respect.