Michael Schumacher has left too much to achieve for a possible finale to his career – Formula 1
Michael Schumacher has yet to prove his critics wrong since his comeback to the sport.
The seven times World Champion left the sport in 2006 arguably at the peak of his form. Although he left but his heart remained in the sport and Ferrari kept him on with the team as a consultant.
During the 2009 Formula 1 season, Ferrari suffered a blow as their driver Felipe Massa was involved in a crash during a race and suffered serious injuries ending his season midway.
The incident left Ferrari a driver short and Schumacher was seemingly the best choice to replace Massa. The team had already done the paperwork to allow Schumacher to join as a driver in the season but the German was not able to race for Ferrari as he suffered
a collar bone fracture in a bike accident.
Prior to the 2010 season Ross Brawn owner of Brawn GP that won the Constructors’ title in 2009 was taken over by Mercedes. Brawn was still the principal of the team and offered Schumacher to join the team as a driver. Schumacher knew most of the crew at
Mercedes from his previous stint with the Ferrari team as Brawn was also a part of Ferrari previously.
Fans of the sport were excited to see one of the greats of the sport back in action. A lot of expected of the German from the word go, especially when Brawn-GP had already won a championship and Brawn was heading the Mercedes team.
Schumacher though found it very hard to perform in the first season since his comeback. Schumacher was paired with a fellow countryman Nico Rosberg who comprehensively outplayed his veteran partner in the season.
2011 was thought to bring in better results but Schumacher could not manage any better results than he did achieved in 2010 and was again beaten by his younger partner in the standings. The season was highly dominated by the Red Bull team and the gap between
teams was evident. Schumacher though cleared that he was working towards a better base for the team to get the results in the future races. He hinted that 2012 may be much better than his previous two seasons.
During the pre-season tests of 2012 it looked clear that Mercedes had a much better car in than it did in previous seasons. Early speculations tipped Mercedes to be a strong contender for the title bid. Red Bull technical director Adrian Newey stated earlier
that Mercedes are going to be a strong force in the season. Although Brawn played down any such notions but after eight Grands Prix completed in the season, but it is clear that Mercedes are very much in contention for both the Constructors’ and the drivers’
title.
Schumacher though has been marred by team errors and plain bad luck on several occasions to lose out on vital points in the season. Yet the German managed his first podium win since his comeback at Valencia. Brawn hails the win to act as a catalyst for Schumacher
to come up with more similar results in the coming races.
Rosberg achieved his maiden victory in the season and looks very strong in the season with a much better Mercedes car. It will be very interesting to see how much of an impact Valencia and an improved car will have on Schumacher in the coming races. It may
also turn out to be the bow-out season for the veteran and fans would love to see the great leave the sport he adores so much with his head held up high.
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