SCHUEY PRAISES YOUNG GUNS

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From ITV-F1.com:

SCHUEY PRAISES YOUNG GUNS

Last Updated: Tuesday, 13 April , 2004, 13:11

Michael Schumacher says Kimi Raikkonen and Fernando Alonso are F1's future stars.

The Ferrari driver believes the two will become the sport's big names once he retires, but he would not be drawn on who he thought was the quickest.

He told Gazzetta dello Sport: "I see a lot of good young drivers - in particular Kimi Raikkonen, who had a great 2003 season, and Fernando Alonso, who is on the up.

"But only when they'll both have a car that enables them to constantly fight for first place we'll understand who's best.”

As for Schumacher's future, he is still saying nothing on his retirement date. But he has ruled out becoming an F1 team manager when he does decide to call it a day.

He said: "I know well what my involvement in the resurrection of Ferrari was, and this is why I know my limits.

"I wouldn't like, and I wouldn't be able to turn the fortunes of an F1 team. Too complex. It's better if everyone does his own job."

Despite being a record six-time World Champion the German admitted that his skills were limited and that a modern-day team requires a combination of skills in order to be successful.

Asked if he could turn around the fortunes of F1 minnows Minardi, he said: "I know Minardi's boss Paul Stoddart. I like him very much. But the chances offered by F1 these days are limited for those who don't have certain means.

One single element - like I'd be as a driver - can't make up for a team all alone anymore."

[webber 0]

to be honest i voted for Button. because Webber is 27 turning 28 in August and well JPM has been around for a wile (CART then to F1 since 2001). Kimi is cracking this year and well im just starting to think that all the fame and glory is going to Alonso head and to me he looks like a little hard-core in the pic Iv seen of him lately. so its left to Button who has shoun us that with a good car he can do somthing. but Bruni is a close 4th behind JB KR and FA. and i mean very close

But dont warry i still think that Webber is better

[nojvnof1 0]

Going on current form, its gotta be Button. He's young, he's got speed and he's in a team on the up. I can't see JPM doing much more, but I see Kimi, Fernando and Mark right up behind Jense, with Mark pipping him if he can get into Williams.

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I think it’s a difficult question. Kimi is certainly a very good driver and doesn’t make many mistakes. Remember, he managed to take Michael Schumacher to the wire in last year’s championship, driving what was essentially an old modified chassis. Alonso is highly rated but tends to make the odd mistake and didn’t beat Trulli by a big enough margin last year to warrant being hailed as the next Michael Schumacher. However, he is young and will improve further. Button is doing a good job this year and the car is quick but I doubt either party are quick enough to win a world championship as of now, or the immediate future so he must be ruled out. Webber is an enigma. He does very well all things considered and is highly rated but he has only raced rookie teammates so he’s very much an unknown factor – Klien actually faired well against him at Bahrain (out qualifying him), which of course was a new track. JPM is very quick but makes silly mistakes. If the car improves he could be a real threat. However, I think that overall Kimi is the best at the moment though, he is also younger than most of the others so he has longer to prove himself in F1.

[Taku 0]

i think alonso cos he's the youngest of them all, has shown true speed, but also has shown the ability to dominate. recall the lapping of herr schumacher last year!

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Alonso is undoubtedly quick and of course is the youngest driver of the current F1 grid. However, he does have a tendency to make silly mistakes – he has spun his car in qualifying on a number of occasions, and whilst he will undoubtedly improve, I think Kimi has the edge on him at the moment.

[Sato 0]

Webber easily....

[Senna 0]

It’s too early to judge Webber…

[Sato 0]

It

[nojvnof1 0]

It

[webber 0]

It’s too early to judge Webber…

well it is his third year how long do you want to wait to be able to judge him?

until he gets a proven teammate!!!

Kline's a good driver and hes betting him. Wilson is a good Driver and he beat him. AP was a good driver and he beat him. now i think that Webber is great a Champ to be but hes not yong hes 27 and hes been around for 3 years. but i know that if he was in a better car he whould be a lot popular as a driver

[nojvnof1 0]

It

[Taku 0]

the way he obliterated pizzonia is certainly a positive for webber, but it must be said that he hasn't had a real benchmark team mate yet. of course this is now his fault, as i'm sure he would have relished having wurz instead of wilson or klien.

there was an intersting interview on rpm today with frank williams, and he was asked if webber could win the championship if he was driving with williams, as aj did back in the 80's. after mentioning how much closer the competition is (?) he went on to say that from what he's seen that yes, webber definitely has the right stuff to win a world championship. gushing praise from the man sir frank. had me positively beaming at the thought that frank so openly rates webber so highly. i think there's no doubt webber's on the final shortlist at williams for '05. unless frank was playing diplomat of course :wink:

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I heard Sir Frank praising Michael Schumacher, does that mean he’s off to Williams?

I agree with nojvnof1 on the topic of Webber – he could be very good but until he has a proven teammate we can’t really judge him…

[webber 0]

It’s too early to judge Webber…

well it is his third year how long do you want to wait to be able to judge him?

until he gets a proven teammate!!!

Kline's a good driver and hes betting him. Wilson is a good Driver and he beat him. AP was a good driver and he beat him. now i think that Webber is great a Champ to be but hes not yong hes 27 and hes been around for 3 years. but i know that if he was in a better car he whould be a lot popular as a driver

Klein is a rookie from F3, and Wilson only had 5 races in that car and had hardly any testing or time to get used to the car. Same with Pizzonia, a rookie who was kicked out of the team just as he was getting used to the car. His other teammate was Yoong, one of the worst to grace F1. He's had no good teammates, simple as that.

AP is a good driver just look at his times in testing at Williams. JW needed more time and Kline is getting there. will you only say that Webber is good until he he gets JV or JB or eaven M$ as his team mate and beats him.

[Taku 0]

I heard Sir Frank praising Michael Schumacher, does that mean he

[climber49 0]

Good Interview with FW on RPM.

Is it just me, or did FW seem to be speaking as if the deal was already done (although not in the public domain). His " .......if he was with us..." seemed to be an afterthought when speaking of Webber.

webber@williams: What an excellent turn of events!

[juany 0]

I missed the interview but a gil at work told me about it. She said that FW spoke very highly of Webber, saying he will be a champion one day.

[amjay 0]

i've read all ur comments... anyway my choice is Fernando Alonso... he's having a lil downward season compared to last year but i think he will get over it and yea he might one day be the WDC but i'm hopin tht will happen during the MS era rather than post MS....

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Fernando Alonso has been less than impressive in the last two races – hopefully he can qualify and race better at Imola…

[nojvnof1 0]

It

[webber 0]

ooooooohhhh i wish that i did not have to work. every tome iv been able to wach RPM lately thay have had s##t on it

[Taku 0]

Good Interview with FW on RPM.

Is it just me, or did FW seem to be speaking as if the deal was already done (although not in the public domain). His " .......if he was with us..." seemed to be an afterthought when speaking of Webber.

webber@williams: What an excellent turn of events!

no i got that distinct impression too. but we've gotta remember he was doing an interview with an australian interviewer on an australian program for an australian network. but still, he had a pretty cheeky, knowing look on his face when he said it.