Michael Schumacher and Justin Beiber – The success stories of their respective industries?
While people might undermine age when they see Justin Beiber with the liberty of a microphone, age has done little to talk some sense into the 41 year old veteran – ‘Justin Beiber should NOT be singing, Michael Schumacher on the other hand, should NOT be
driving’ says an exasperated Formula One fanatic.
It has indeed been a year to forget for arguably one of the most celebrated drivers in the Formula One business, Michael Schumacher.
The German driver was set to call it a day at the end of the 2006 campaign with Ferrari until Ross Brawn, his former race engineer, convinced him to come out of retirment and race for his team, Mercedes GP. However, after a hard fought season, the veteran
has failed to make much of an impact on the race track, finishing 9th in the driver’s standings.
Being Michael Schumacher and dramatically announcing your comeback comes with a side dish of hype and expectations. The veteran’s reappearing act has so far been a poor show and has led many motor-heads to wonder as to why the hall of famer returned in the
first place. However, amid all the gossip and downright ‘accusations’, the German driver has stood by his decision.
He has said, "I enjoy it. I feel I have the right to do what I enjoy. Whether I put in dispute my reputation...I just feel good about my decision and I have so much support from people."
The words might be merely a case of the 41 year old finally lashing out and wilting under the pressure. Making his comeback to motorsport wasn’t going to go unnoticed. Having literally dominated the game and going on to win 7 world champions, many expected
that the German’s reappearing act on track might be a lesson for the younger driver’s to see ‘how its properly done’. However, the former Ferrari driver claiming that he had little regard for his reputation and simply wanted to get back to the action only
because he ‘enjoyed it’, paints a rather rash and irresponsible picture – Michael Schumacher is not just another driver, he’s arguably the Ambassador of the multi-million dollar franchise.
"I certainly want to make it a successful return," continued the Mercedes GP driver. "I'm only happy if I'm back on the winning road with the team. This is what I'm working for, this is the joy of the passion for Formula 1."
Evidently, Schumacher would require a string of results to back that claim next season. In all fairness, he still has 2 more years to go on his 3 year contract and he might as well make the best out of it.
The word from the team seconds the veteran’s thoughts:
"It's been disappointing, in overall performance, we haven't had the car, Michael's taken a little time to get up to the performance he'll be able to deliver. I've seen patches of that performance the last few races of the season was the Michael Schumacher
I expected to see.”
With all said and done, maybe it would be fair on part of the regular Formula One neutral and sporting pundits to give both team and driver a chance. Ross Brawn made a strong statement leaving the Italian Giants (Ferrari) and going on to make a team of his
own. There is no secret that Brawn GP was a successful venture in its debut year; winning the constructor’s and driver’s championship in 2009. Therefore, presently, Mercedes has inherited one of the most gifted think-tanks in the business. They have experience
in the form of the living legend and have a promising prospect for the future in the form of Nico Rosberg.
As far as Justin Beiber is concerned, the jury is still out on the ‘teenage sensation’ – Perhaps, in both cases, time heals everything...?
The article is based on fact mixed with a tinge of fiction - The writer insists on having no personal vendetta against Justin Beiber.
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