Michael Schumacher might retire before 2011 season ends – Eddie Jordan
Michael Schumacher has been struggling to perform with his team Mercedes since his return this year. His career has been called into question after BBC Sport specialist, Eddie Jordan, suggested he might retire by the end of this season.
“I've a hunch something fundamental has changed. I believe he is disillusioned and thinking of quitting. There are too many indications that now give me the feeling he is reconsidering his commitment to his three-year contract”, said Jordan.
Jordan stated there was too much movement in the Mercedes motor home that included some driver’s managers from other teams. It is rumoured that the team is not expecting as high as their first seasons performance after this year’s Mercedes car performance.
Therefore, Jordan is still convinced that Mercedes will have some changes for the 2011 season most probably, a driver change.
Furthermore, Michael was penalised for his reckless driving against Rubens Barrichello at the Hungarian Grand Prix and Jordan believes it will also be another factor that will stay on his mind for quite some time and affect his performance.
“The Barrichello incident had an effect - he hadn't realised driver standards had changed so much, and that has surprised Michael. My guess is Michael has probably come to the conclusion that, despite his undoubted brilliance, just like this year he's not
going to be able to drag that into being a winning car”, he added.
However, the German legend has had the best statistic career in the history of Formula 1. Schumacher came into Formula 1 in 1991 after he signed with team Jordan as their full time driver. Michael was able to score only 4 points in his debut season earning
the 14th place in the drivers’ standings. This was the worst season in Michael’s career statistically. Yes, that is how great he is. The 41-year old never finished under 5th place in the drivers’ standings after this season.
Schumacher joined team Benetton the following year and decided to stick with the team until 1995. Benetton gave Michael his first drivers’ championship followed by another in the years 1994 and 1995. The team gave Michael a total of 19 wins, 38 podiums and
10 pole positions in just 4 years. His outstanding driving abilities earned him a spot in Ferrari for the 1996 championship. This deal was the best decision in Michael’s career as he stayed with the team for 10 years. Michael earned the team their first constructors’
title after 21 years in 2000.
The German never aimed for anything less than a victory after this and his attitude earned him the honour of winning the most championships in a row. Schumacher scored 5 drivers’ championships in a row from the year 2000-2004, before he lost the championship
to Fernando Alonso for the following 2 years of his Ferrari career. The 41 year old scored his best statistic result in the year 2004 when he scored a record-breaking 148 points with the help of 13 wins, 15 podium positions and 8 pole positions to secure the
drivers’ title for the last time in his winning streak.
Schumacher has scored 91 wins, 154 podiums and 68 pole positions in his career up until now. He decided to retire after 2006 and it seemed that he might not return to the sport. However, Michael decided to return to the sport in 2010 after signing a 3-year
deal with team Mercedes. Despite all the criticism, the 7-time world champion hopes to get back to the top and believes that he will do so next year. Michael Schumacher is currently in 9th place in the drivers’ standings with 46 points.
Mercedes team boss tried to clear the matter by telling BBC Sport that there will be no changes regarding a driver change for the 2011 season.
These rumours were denied by Michael Schumacher’s manager Sabine Kehm as well who told BBC Sport “Michael has no plans to quit at the end of this year”.
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