Michael Schumacher – “Alonso’s comments are more than empty flattery”
The seven times world champion, Michael Schumacher thinks Fernando Alonso was very “logical” when he named him as a threat for the 2011 Formula One grids.
Earlier this month, when Alonso was questioned by reporters to nominate a driver whom he considered the major challenger for 2011 title, the Spaniard said, “There will be five world champions on the track [this season] and the most dangerous champion for me is always Michael… He is seven-time champion. He has nothing to prove. He had a difficult season [in 2010] but he is still a champion. He is still super class and if the car is right he will be a contender.”
Alonso believes that the passion and determination in Schumi’s character is unmatched. For the two times world champion, Alonso, the fervour of the German is enough to bring the “good old Schumi” once again back on the track.
Schumacher returned to the track at the beginning of the 2010 season after three years’ absence, as he announced his retirement at the end of 2006 season. The 42-year-old’s fanfare and hype was immense as the season began; however, with every passing race his fans got disappointed by his poor performances.
As the season ended, many race analysts believed that Schumacher will leave the sport forever. However, he not only chose to stay but also showed the determination to bag another championship. While replying to Alonso's prediction earlier today, Schumacher said that it was not empty flattery when he clarified, “Fernando knows how to count and that things are going better and better, with the curve clearly on the up at the end of last season. He also knows that we have been working on our new car for a long time, so I think it's realistic for him to put Mercedes on the bill.”
Mercedes GP is the first team that stopped working on its 2010 car and shifted all the attention towards the 2011 package. Since it has spent more time and money on its car than others, hopes are rife that its new package will be far more competitive and challenging than before.
Moreover, at the start of this month, Schumacher also told the media that he has come back to the grids with a three-year project. He desires to bag another championship during this period before bidding farewell from the sport once and for all.
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