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F1 return of Schumacher defended: 'He was still lightning fast'

F1 return of Schumacher defended: 'He was still lightning fast'

27-09-2022 18:49 Last update: 28-09-2022 09:17
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GPblog.com

Seven-time world champion Michael Schumacher decided to return to Formula 1 in 2010. At Mercedes, the German hoped to showcase his past successes, but he could not live up to expectations. According to Ross Brawn, however, this had nothing to do with Schumacher's qualities.

The driver was back at Mercedes for a total of three years. Whereas in 2010 he took ninth place with 72 points scored, in the two years that followed he did not get beyond eighth and 13th respectively. He finally drove his last race in November 2012.

Brawn experienced up close how good Schumacher still was. "That is underestimated," Brawn is adamant in an interview with F1-insider.com. "He was still lightning fast. He proved that in 2012 with pole position in Monaco. You don't get that when you no longer have that special ability."

Hamilton and Schumacher to be compared

In 2013, Lewis Hamilton made the switch to Mercedes, narrowly missing out on Schumacher. The Briton managed to achieve great success in the years that followed, eventually reaching the same number as the German driver with seven world titles.

However, according to Brawn, the two drivers are also comparable on other fronts. "Like Lewis with George Russell, Michael had a young teammate in Nico Rosberg who was insanely good," he reflected. Rosberg managed to win the world championship in 2016, after which he immediately retired from Formula 1.