Michael's Motivated.........

[ksajoe 0]

SOURCE: GP 2005

Michael will be, without a doubt, very strong in 2006

Michael Schumacher could not have dreamt of a better return to work! After two months away from the c#ckpit of an F1 contender wheel the seven time world champion was quick to let his rivals know that he was back in force at the Jerez circuit last Thursday when he recorded the best overall time of the day on board the hybrid F2005 powered by the latest engine from the Maranello stables, the 2006 V8.

Schumacher wanted to send a clear message and he did just that!

His first time on board the V8 powered machine was also the first time he worked by the side of his new teammate, Felipe Massa, who was thrilled to be at the track to appreciate Michael

[Jem of the Shire 0]

Some people who claim to be knowledgable on f1 actually think Schumacher has 'lost it'. Not me!

[Senna 0]

Some people who claim to be knowledgable on f1 actually think Schumacher has 'lost it'. Not me!

No one has said that. People have said that Alonso and Kimi are now better. Do you disagree?

[Jem of the Shire 0]

Trust me some members have said he's lost it, although I've forgotten who. However I do strongly disagree that all of a sudden Kimi and Alonso are better. Maybe you didnt notice how bad the Ferrari was compared to previous seasons? And if you're talking about MS mistakes - please name some cos I can only remember china and thats hardly a basis on which to state he's now the 3rd best driver

[Senna 0]

Trust me some members have said he's lost it, although I've forgotten who. However I do strongly disagree that all of a sudden Kimi and Alonso are better. Maybe you didnt notice how bad the Ferrari was compared to previous seasons? And if you're talking about MS mistakes - please name some cos I can only remember china and thats hardly a basis on which to state he's now the 3rd best driver

Michael is 36 years, 11 months and 17 days old. Alonso is 24 years, 4 months and 22 days old. Michael was outqualified 7 times by Rubens Barrichello this year! M$ is clearly still very good (his drive at Germany was perhaps his most impressive this season) but he

[Jem of the Shire 0]

he

[Senna 0]

He doesnt show it though does he! Kimi and alonso are young but thats no reason to think they're better than him. MS was arguably past his prime last year, but won 13 races, whilst alonso was getting beaten by Trulli

Thanks to a sublime car which hid his deficiencies. If you remember the 1995 Schumacher, it

[Jem of the Shire 0]

You're probably right that the Schu of 95 was better than the Schu of 05. But your belief appears to be based on the assumption that he's old and therefore past it, rather than based on his actual driving performances. Hopefully in 2006 he will have a top car again and will show that he's still the man!

[Senna 0]

You're probably right that the Schu of 95 was better than the Schu of 05. But your belief appears to be based on the assumption that he's old and therefore past it, rather than based on his actual driving performances. Hopefully in 2006 he will have a top car again and will show that he's still the man!

Driving performance is closely linked to age. I haven

[Jem of the Shire 0]

Well he won in the F2003 as well and had to fight for it. I don't see any evidence that his driving ability is at all inferior to that of KR & FA but I guess we'll see next year when he should be in 1 of the best cars again! I hope so cos I strongly believe he's still the best driver

[AutoRacer5 0]

France 2004, nuff said.

[ksajoe 0]

If a car can compensate for a driver's skill - why was an attrocious F2005 ahead of the sister Renault & Maclaren?Why could the car not help GF & JPM up the standings on the WDC - or can that arguement only be applied when discussing MS? There is no doubt that Kimi & FA are very good drivers - they are 2nd & 3rd (in no particular order - as evidence of one season in a good car is not suffecient to make that call). So the best Driver on the grid currently is MS followed by both KImi and FA.

He was outqualified by RB 7 times in the season - he ended up 3rd in the WDC and RB was 8th (hardly something to write home about is it?). He is loosing his edge with age and is now at 90% of his peak ability - that still translates to superiority when compared to FA & KR who are yet to discover their peak. They are have not surpassed MS, they have gotten very close (note: not yet equal!).

If MS had the 2005 Renault or Maclaren, he would have completely dorminated the season - the young lads couldn't quite do that! I reckon the guy has two full seasons left in him (2006 & 2007) after that he really should quit. But as of now, he is the driver to beat!

[Jem of the Shire 0]

I agree ksajoe!

[monza gorilla 1]

Hmm. On balance, I agree with all that.

[Ctrl300 0]

On balance I disagree. Ferrari got 18 free points at Indianapolis. Schui got 10 free points. JPM was injured, and still lost out with 2 points. If Schui takes out his ten he ends up in 5th place. If Ferrari takes out 18 they fall behind Toyota to 4th.

I will never slander Schui for his skills (but some of his on track decisions are although very shady), but I think he is not better than either Kimi nor Alonso anymore. I think those boys are all even Steven. Also, now that Aloso has a WDC under his belt he will be driving with even more confidence, and I reckon he will be a fierce (and ultra fast) little driver in years to come. And if he has competitive machinery next year, he will kick arse!

[monza gorilla 1]

I'm no M$ fan, by a long chalk, but he hasn't suddenly deteriorated in the space of 12 months; nor have FA or KR improved by leaps and bounds in 12 months. Renault and McLaren produced good cars. Ferrari produced a Sh#tbox. I don't think you can base your opinion on one season, even if what you say will, eventually, be true.

[Ctrl300 0]

I'm no M$ fan, by a long chalk, but he hasn't suddenly deteriorated in the space of 12 months; nor have FA or KR improved by leaps and bounds in 12 months. Renault and McLaren produced good cars. Ferrari produced a Sh#tbox. I don't think you can base your opinion on one season, even if what you say will, eventually, be true.

Both these boys (Alosno and Kimi) have been just that, boys. The learning curve is steep. Besides, they have both been fast in previous years and in 2005 they got good cars as well. The Ferrari of Schu was the class of the field in 2002 and 2004, and who knows, maybe he has been deteriorating over some time now. To say he was super fast in 2005 is just not true. Take away Indy and he is left with 5th. He is still among the top three, if he is #1 or #3 we can't say. He certainly is not champion anymore.

[Jem of the Shire 0]

There's nothing to be ashamed of coming 5th in the ch'ship behind the 4 drivers who were driving the 2 dominant cars

[Ctrl300 0]

I did not say that either. All im saying is that the 3rd place really does not belong to him.

[monza gorilla 1]

Both these boys (Alosno and Kimi) have been just that, boys. The learning curve is steep. Besides, they have both been fast in previous years and in 2005 they got good cars as well. The Ferrari of Schu was the class of the field in 2002 and 2004, and who knows, maybe he has been deteriorating over some time now. To say he was super fast in 2005 is just not true. Take away Indy and he is left with 5th. He is still among the top three, if he is #1 or #3 we can't say. He certainly is not champion anymore.

That we can agree on.

[Jem of the Shire 0]

He's obviously not champion now but theres no reason to believe he's not capable of doing it again

[monza gorilla 1]

Oh, he's capable, no question. He needs a decent car though, just like the rest of them.

[pumpdoc 2]

He's obviously not champion now but theres no reason to believe he's not capable of doing it again

Indeed..............

[Jem of the Shire 0]

If a car is even slightly capable, Schu will make it win. He has the ability to post incredible lap times in the race, over and over again, like no over driver can

[monza gorilla 1]

Metronomic.