Michael Schumacher retires
The legend retires! Schumacher finished his 16-year Formula One career with 91 victories, seven world titles and 68 pole positions. Ferrari fans must be mourning.
7 times world F1 campion. Will any other driver beat this record? Juan Manuel Fangio made to 5 world titles and this was in the 50s. I think it is quite unlikely. Then again is he really that good?
Personally, he is my favourite. But I cannot stop to wonder is he the best driver around?
He dominated the scene from 1994 till 2004 and after the change in F1 regulations by FIA which took effect in 2005, he started to fumble. He had the bestest of machine with the best on-track engineers and crew and Ferrari had the money to do almost anything. Before 2004, it was not the driver but more the machine that made the driver. However, since 2005, the roles have reversed. The performance of those sleek machines have been standardised and the guts of the driver’s proximity to danger and death have now made F1 a truly gripping race to watch. 2005 saw the rise of a new champion Fernando Alonso and Renault keeping the trophy. Fernando again took to the podium the 2006 championship with Renault. However, 2006 proved 2 things - Michael is an excellent driver being able to come so close to Alonso. The other, nothing stops Ferrari. The ability to adapt to the regulations so well and come at second with only 5 points behind Renault shows that Ferrari takes F1 seriously and that their winning is totally dependent on the driver of their posh sleek red “Horse Rampant” logo.
So is he really that good?
Yes I think he is that good and is a legend. It wouldn’t take long before Hollywood makes a movie out of him.
Can the record be broken?
Well, Alonso has made a name for himself and he is young. Renault and Alonso has joined a rather illustrious crowd. Only Michael Schumacher and Ferrari (2000-04), Ayrton Senna and McLaren (1990/1) and Jack Brabham and Cooper (1959/60) have previously achieved back-to-back wins in both drivers’ and constructors’ championships. Well nothing is impossible but it will be difficult. Alas a Spaniard!
Thank you Michael for the great performance. Happy Retirement. Hope the retirement treats you well and won’t make you a sourpuss like an ex-leader I know. Hmm… that would be something to blog!!
