Michael Schumacher believes he can win a world title
In 1968 Elvis Presley produced one of the greatest comebacks in history to sit atop his trade as the king once more.
Racing Legend Michael Schumacher’s own return was tipped to go along very similar lines but has instead spectacularly flopped, however the former seven-time champion is far from all shook up by the experience stating that it’s not now or never for him.
A comeback can only go one of two ways, well or badly. For every Mickey Rourke there is a Bjorn Borg. Based on his performances so far in 2010 Schumacher is looking destined to join the latter.
It should all have been so different though. “Schumi” got a seat with his mentor Ross Brawn's all-conquering BrawnGP side, who were then promptly “Germanised” into Mercedes, perhaps the dream line-up for the ever-confident racer.
Instead Schumacher has had endured a truly woeful return. The Mercedes just hasn’t been competitive and the one-time speed king now finds himself hanging around the back of the pack and causing tailbacks with his lack of pace, an ironic depiction of yesterday’s hero. That’s not all though, he has also been out-driven by team mate Nico Rosberg and nearly caused ex-stooge Rubens Barrichello to smash into a wall with some reckless driving in Hungary.
However Schumacher has not been disillusioned and still believes he can once again capture a world title telling Formula1.com: “I enjoy what I’m doing and because I believe in being able to reach my goal - to win the title. I have to accept that it will take time.”
Brave words from a man who has finished in the bottom 10 six times in the 12 races so far this season and whose best placing was a fourth in Spain.
So why isn’t Schumacher racing up to scratch? It’s largely down to the car which just hasn’t worked out at all. Despite the high expectations German said of his team “we [Mercedes] know and understand the problems that are haunting us now.”
In fairness he joined the team late and Mercedes only had a limited amount of time to set up his car to suit the former champion’s attributes. Jenson Button even came out and said that the Mercedes is probably more suited to him and he has a very different style to Schumacher preferring added understeer, something the assured former Ferrari man despises.
It doesn’t really explain why he has been completely out-driven by Rosberg though. Luckily Formula One kingpin Bernie Eccelstone was on hand to offer an opinion stating that: “when people say that Nico Rosberg is faster than Michael I tell them Nico still has to prove himself. Not so Michael. For Nico fourth places are still important - not for Michael.”
Not sure Schumacher would agree with that, look at his face, he intends and truly believes he will win every race, even if he has to go round in a go-kart.
You get the feeling that he also believes that he would be better in a more competitive drive and its mechanical, not physical problems that have caused his demise. No doubt with a confident glint he said: “Let’s put it this way, I would have different options in a Red Bull.”
To win a world title Schumacher is going to have to drastically improve. This season has seen Formula One as competitive as ever, the new rules and point scoring system, other than the odd spectacular bore have made for an enthrallingly close competition. With Lewis Hamilton, Mark Webber, Sebastian Vettel, Fernando Alonso and Jenson Button all in the running for the title, Schumacher will have to get back to his very best to keep the pace with the young hot shots.
Although Mercedes are aiming for a better car next year so are the likes of Ferrari, who have had a dog for about two years now, and will be going all guns to improve, while McLaren and Red Bull have perfected a consistent drive. So no-one is going to stand still and wait for Schumacher and Mercedes to get better.
However Schumacher is like the racing equivalent of the bad guy in Terminator 2, you might think he’s done for but he will persist and adapt as the situation dictates and he will keep going until he gets it right or someone stops him.
In fact it will be no surprise to see Schumacher win another world title, probably around the time he gets to grips with his Mercedes in 2025.
Anyone sending him a note suggesting he should give up can expect it coming back marked “return to sender”.
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