|
|
12-24-2009, 12:21 AM | #1 |
Lieutenant Colonel
55
Rep 1,804
Posts |
Schumi is back!!!
Seven-time F1 champ Schumacher puts legacy at stake with return from retirement MADRID, Spain - Michael Schumacher's return to Formula One after three years in retirement certainly marks a historic turn in the sport's history. The question is: Will it enhance or damage the German's glittering legacy? The record seven-time world champion, who agreed Wednesday to drive for Mercedes for at least the 2010 season, is F1's most successful driver with record numbers in all categories: 91 race wins, 68 pole positions and 76 fastest laps. But will his comeback be a success or another example of an over-the-hill athlete clutching at past glory? "I never left the racetrack. I kept the motivation and maintained it," Schumacher said. "I still feel absolutely on the edge. I have to prove it in a real car." Schumacher returns in one of the most competitive eras of F1, with four champions on the starting grid. That includes Ferrari's Fernando Alonso, Lewis Hamilton and McLaren teammate and defending champion Jenson Button, who won with Brawn in 2009 during a season where rule changes shook up the pecking order. Is the soon to be 41-year-old Schumacher ready for the new F1? "(The cars) will be slightly different but I have been in so many characters of different cars over the years," Schumacher said. "The strong part of myself is I am capable of adapting in all circumstances." Schumacher will look to follow Niki Lauda and Alain Prost as drivers who came out of retirement to win F1 titles. British bookmaker British Hill is giving odds of 6-1 on Schumacher winning the 2010 title, behind Hamilton (9-4), Alonso (7-2) and Sebastian Vettel (11-2) and tied with Button. Schumacher would hope to match Michael Jordan's first return to the Chicago Bulls, which he led to three straight NBA titles, or boxer Sugar Ray Leonard, who returned after three years to defeat Marvin Hagler for the middleweight title. The driver would not, however, want to replicate Jordan's second comeback, a forgettable two seasons with the Washington Wizards. Another athlete who struggled in his comeback was Swedish tennis great Bjorn Borg, who returned after eight years out but was unable to adapt to a new era of racket technology and changing play. "Schumacher coming back to F1 is great news for the sport," Button said recently. "But I don't know if it will be great news for Michael Schumacher. He will be putting his reputation on the line coming back into the sport." Mercedes team principal Ross Brawn is certain that Schumacher can make a smooth transition. "He is the best judge of what he can do," said Brawn, who was the architect of each of Schumacher's seven championships. "I trust him implicitly and he says he can do it." http://autos.ca.msn.com/news/canadia...entid=23131272 |
12-24-2009, 10:19 AM | #3 |
Banned
269
Rep 2,534
Posts
Drives: 16 G12 + 15 F06 + 17 F15
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Oakville, Ontario
|
Best driver on this planet. Can't wait
|
Appreciate
0
|
12-24-2009, 11:40 AM | #4 |
Bored at work....
890
Rep 5,391
Posts |
__________________
Grey Matter:2008 E92 M3:608/425. SG/PS SOLD!
Dark Matter:2015 F80 M3:495/505. SOLD! Anti Matter :2016 F82 M4 GTS What next?!? A 2022 M235i GC- I must be getting old |
Appreciate
0
|
12-24-2009, 05:54 PM | #5 |
Major
32
Rep 1,007
Posts |
I hope he wins, but my guess is he will not be any good anymore.
__________________
E90 Interlagos Blue, (Winter Beater) Bamboo Beige, M-Drive, EDC, PDC, USB 6MT.
Mods to date; Curb rash, Scraped front spoiler, Installed RAC Monolite RG63 Silver 1984 Porsche 911 Carrera Coupe (ROW) |
Appreciate
0
|
12-24-2009, 08:37 PM | #6 |
Lieutenant Colonel
55
Rep 1,804
Posts |
|
Appreciate
0
|
12-24-2009, 09:05 PM | #7 |
Major General
814
Rep 7,888
Posts |
|
Appreciate
0
|
12-24-2009, 09:16 PM | #8 |
Lieutenant Colonel
55
Rep 1,804
Posts |
|
Appreciate
0
|
Post Reply |
Bookmarks |
|
|