Damon Hill believes Michael Schumacher is not the force he used to be – Formula 1 news
Damon Hill believes that Michael Schumacher is an extraordinary performer but that should not allow him to take his race seat at Mercedes for granted.
“It's unbelievable he's still going, whilst I've been retired for 12 years,” Hill said. “He's an extraordinary performer who clearly loves his driving and doesn't want to stop. I can understand that. But Formula One cannot carry people along if they are
not doing their bit. He's going to have to fight with everything he's got to keep going for another year, or beyond this one.”
Hill and Schumacher have gone head to head in the 90’s and enjoyed a bit of rivalry. Schumacher won two back-to-back title for Benetton in 1994 and 1995. Hill took the title from the German in 1996. Schumacher’s peak came only after Hill retired from the
sport in 1999.
Hill praised Schumacher by saying the seven-time world champion is a very motivated and determined driver. He further added that it was remarkable to see Schumacher still racing when he has remained out of the sport for more than a decade but conceded that
he doubts the German can match the pace of his yesteryears.
Schumacher returned to F1 in 2010 at the push of his friend Ross Brawn. The former champion joined Mercedes GP and was not able to show the kind of comeback his supporters and fans were expecting. Schumacher has maintained that his return is only for the
8th title. He has not returned to the sport to gratify his need to race rather the motivation of an 8th title.
The 2011 season was another low point for Schumacher as Mercedes failed to come up with a competitive car to match the likes of Red Bull, McLaren or Ferrari. Schumacher said that he will decide over his future only after analysing how Mercedes have improved
over the years going into 2012.
Speculations of an improved Mercedes car have put supporters in hope of a serious comeback from the champion but it remains to be seen how well he can drive at 43.
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