Lewis Hamilton: Schumacher not a threat for 2011 season
The seven-time world champion Michael Schumacher has been magnetising media from all across the globe all through his career. For one reason or the other, press loves writing about the ‘good ol’ Schumi’, however, the 2010 Formula 1 season, unfortunately,
brought more negative publicity for the German. Now, as the caravan of cars gets ready to step into a new season, media is once again directed towards Schumacher, trying to prophesy his performance in the upcoming season.
Everyone in the sport has a different opinion about Schumacher's 2011 campaign. The 2008 title winner, Lewis Hamilton does not see him as a very threatening competitor on the grid. At the launching ceremony of the McLaren car, the reporters asked the Briton
to predict Schumacher’s 2011 season. Although he tried to refrain from giving any judgment initially, but when insisted, Hamilton said, "He's a seven-time world champion so you have to assume he will be at his best this year if he wants to be, and if his car
and his team have done a good job. Personally I don't think it's going to be much different to the previous season but he can easily prove us wrong."
The 42-year-old returned to the track at the beginning of the 2010 season after having spent three years away from the sport. Unlike expected, the driver had a very abortive comeback. The driver and his team blamed the new Mercedes GP car and the Bridgestone
tyres for his poor performance. After the disappointing season, many believed that the German will not be seen on the grid again. However, not only did he chose to stay back, he also voiced his determination for bagging another title, before leaving the sport.
The driver has signed a three year contract with Ross Brawn’s Mercedes GP and has two more years at his disposal.
Contrary to Hamilton’s statement, two-time world champion, Fernando Alonso declared last month that he finds Schumacher as the biggest threat for this season’s title. Also, the other McLaren driver and 2009 champion, Jenson Button stated, "With Ross [Brawn]
at the helm they’ll (Mercedes GP) produce a competitive car and give Nico and Michael a chance to have good results. They're definitely a team that will be fighting for victories this year."
Although many of the race experts reckon that Schumacher’s age will not let him combat with the far younger drivers on the grid, yet, at the same time everyone is well aware of the German’s determination. When he wants to, he knows how to pull rabbits out
of a hat. However, only time will tell if this season sees the same old wonders from the best driver ever in the sport (statistically).
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