Speaking at the launch of the new McLaren MP4-26 in Berlin, Hamilton faced the inevitable questions about Schumacher and after initially flat-batting by telling reporters he would not say what he thought, he proceeded to do just that. Lewis said: "He's a seven-times world champion so you have to assume he will be at his best this year if he wants to be, and if his car and his team have done a good job. Personally I don't think it's going to be much different to the previous season but he can easily prove us wrong." http://en.espnf1.com/f1/motorsport/story/40034.html?CMP=OTC-RSS Fair enough, everyone has a right to an opinion, but I feel that this is still quite disrespectful. Michael Schumacher is a 7 time world Champion, the most successful F1 driver ever. He is old, but still fast. He hasn't lost any talent and deserves to be respected by his peers. Schumacher showed glimpses of potential, and this year, I think he could easily dominate once again. Jenson Button is in agreement. He said: "I think when Michael gets the car around him that he feels he has been a part of, he will be competitive. With Ross at the helm they'll produce a competitive car and give Nico and Michael a chance to have good results. They're definitely a team that will be fighting for victories this year." This is about Michael Schumacher - not a wum thread.
I hope Schumi's scratching about in the midfield again. Every race he drives he seems to taint his legacy a bit.
Even if Rosberg wins the title and Schumacher fails to score a point, he is the most successful ever in F1 - a seven time WDC and no one can take that away from him. Having seen him in almost every race 2000 - 2006, I know Schumacher is a legend and is capable of great things.
No but the arguments of "He wasn't the best driver, he just had the best car" will have much more credibility. Personally I think he was a great driver (can't stand him but I do respect his talent), but if he wants people to acknowledge him among the Senna's and Fangio's he can't keep getting destroyed by Rosberg.
I think Schumi would have quit at the end of 2010 if he thought he was going to be running behind Rosberg this year. If he's behind him after four or five races I expect him to retire. I still think he's good enough if the car is tailored towards him, previously he worked a lot harder in testing than anybody else and I think the lack of testing last year didn't help him, so before 2011 season gets under way he should be a lot better prepared, with a car designed with him in mind.
I think both Hamilton and Button were being polite and respectful to Schumacher,given his record in F1. Reading between the lines,I doubt either McLaren driver regard him as a real threat this season. Guess we'll have a better idea in Bahrain..............
Very true Browser, I had a LOT of respect for both the Mclaren drivers, now .....I hope The Schuking destroys both these arrogant 2 year old's in every race. It does seem that they both are slightly nervous about Mercedes in March. You don't see Michael proclaiming who will do better or worse this season.. Humble yes... but very...very... dangerous.
Er Manny... When asked by F1 Racing magazine if he expected to be world champion at the end of 2011, the seven times F1 World Champion replied, “”Absolutely." That looks to me like he's proclaiming he will do better than everybody this season. And it's also highly disrespectful to not once but twice get the car number given to the better performer in the team despite being comprehensively beaten. Schumacher chose to return to racing against a completely different era of driver. They respect his past achievements, but that's what they are, past achievements. As a current driver on the grid he didn't show any more promise than Petrov. In his final year in F1 he was beaten by Alonso who since has been beaten by Hamilton and Vettel whilst in competitive machinery. Schumacher was whipped by a team mate who has never one a race. I'm sorry, you keep harping on about Rosberg having to win a race to prove himself. In this era of Kers/ARW/refuelling ban and 5 WDC on the grid - I'm afraid so does Schumacher.
Alonso beat schumie albeit in a car with illegal advantage, lewis beat alonso in the same car as a rookie, I doubt schumie could beat lewis although I think he could beat the like of alonso and button, unless the merc is an exception
Hamilton did say he expected it to be tough for Schumacher in 2010 and he was right. Hamilton is an F1 WDC and one of the best drivers on the grid, like it or not his opinion counts! He probably shouldn't have said it, but hey most of us wanted to see Hamilton Vs Schumacher!
True, Hamilton is my 2nd favorite driver on the grid, possibly because of his similar qualities to my number 1 favorite. Makes me sad to hear him say that to Schumacher, maybe he said it because it was "in the moment". Hopefully Schumacher will take it on the chin and leave the talking for the track
Yeah I can't imagine Schumi will care. Personally I think if Schumi thought he would struggle this season he would have pulled out. I think he is feeling confident about his chances.
