Michael Schumacher says competition is tougher in Formula 1 now – Formula 1 news
Seven-time Formula 1 world champion Michael Schumacher is of the opinion that competition in the sport is much tougher now primarily because of the cars’ closeness in terms of design and efficiency.
The German legend was speaking to Auto Motor und Sport and believed the field is much closer than it was before.
He said, “In my early days, there was always the chance to be quicker than another driver not just by a couple of tenths, but a full second. Why? Because the cars aerodynamically were not so balanced and were therefore very sharp to drive. As a driver, you
then had many more possibilities yourself. Today, the cars are aerodynamically stable and well balanced; the window in which you work is not as big.”
Cars of present age are more closely matched because of aerodynamic advancements over the last few years. The teams of early 2000s were able to take big advantages using new methods and could play around the rules. However, the FIA now has more strict rules
when it comes to the design of the cars and keeps a strict check on every single change the teams make. This has resulted in a very close field and the gap between the teams has reduced considerably.
The 2012 Formula 1 season was a big example of this as it was dubbed as the most unpredictable year of the sport in many years. The drivers’ title was undecided until the final race of the season, which was held in Sao Paulo.
Despite the closeness of the field, Schumacher is of the opinion that this means drivers are now more professional in their approach and not necessarily more skilled.
“Are the drivers of today so much better? It has always only been the best drivers who are in Formula One,” he said.
Michael Schumacher retired from the sport following the 2006 season and after a 3-year hiatus, returned to the field with the Mercedes team for the 2010 Formula 1 season. The German legend was hoping to add an eighth title to his seven trophies but unluckily,
was not able to do so. In his 3 seasons with the Mercedes team, he could only manage a single pole position and just one podium finish, both of which came in the 2012 season. After the arrival of Lewis Hamilton at the team to partner Nico Rosberg, Schumacher
announced his second retirement from the sport.
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