Mercedes GP MGP W01

[ringo]

Rosberg is looking quicker at the moment!
This idea that Shumi is the defacto fastest driver will fade away this season. Something tells me there are a couple of guys on the grid quicker than him at the moment.

[djones]

Rosberg is looking quicker at the moment!
This idea that Shumi is the defacto fastest driver will fade away this season. Something tells me there are a couple of guys on the grid quicker than him at the moment.

Alonso and Hamilton I could argue yes. Not Rosberg though.

In another thread somebody compared NR and MS's race distance runs and MS was more consistant and faster.

He has also arguably not even opend the taps fully yet (he has no reason to until the first race).

[greenall]

Imho if shumacher does badly in first few races, his bad neck will re-appear, and he will disapear for good perhaps.

[rich1701]

Rosberg is looking quicker at the moment!
This idea that Shumi is the defacto fastest driver will fade away this season. Something tells me there are a couple of guys on the grid quicker than him at the moment.

Alonso and Hamilton I could argue yes. Not Rosberg though.

In another thread somebody compared NR and MS's race distance runs and MS was more consistant and faster.

He has also arguably not even opend the taps fully yet (he has no reason to until the first race).

Rosberg threw the race away in Singapore last year IMO, If Schumacher was in that car he would of won the race. In fact I would say If Schumacher had not of retired he would of won the title in 07 and definitely 08.

It will be fascinating because Schumacher's performance this year will tell us a lot about whether drivers in their 40s really do loose their speed or not, and how far they can go.

I don't understand why a driver would loose his speed due to age, unless it is due to poor physical fitness or stamina which Schumacher does not have a problem with. Or like older Snooker players for example, they begin to loose concentration as the mind gets older, drivers do as well perhaps.

[greenall]

Rosberg is looking quicker at the moment!
This idea that Shumi is the defacto fastest driver will fade away this season. Something tells me there are a couple of guys on the grid quicker than him at the moment.

Alonso and Hamilton I could argue yes. Not Rosberg though.

In another thread somebody compared NR and MS's race distance runs and MS was more consistant and faster.

He has also arguably not even opend the taps fully yet (he has no reason to until the first race).

Rosberg threw the race away in Singapore last year IMO, If Schumacher was in that car he would of won the race. In fact I would say If Schumacher had not of retired he would of won the title in 07 and definitely 08.

It will be fascinating because Schumacher's performance this year will tell us a lot about whether drivers in their 40s really do loose their speed or not, and how far they can go.

I don't understand why a driver would loose his speed due to age, unless it is due to poor physical fitness or stamina which Schumacher does not have a problem with. Or like older Snooker players for example, they begin to loose concentration as the mind gets older, drivers do as well perhaps.

Reactions reaction and reactions. fighter pilots are stopped activly flying fighter jets at what age? and for what reason. google it.

[axle]

Saying NR threw away a good result in Singapore is a bit strong, his overcooking of the pit exit was stupid but the punishment didn't fit the "crime"...yes he learn't a valuble lesson but lets not be too harsh!

[ringo]

Yes that was down to the fresh tyres not having enough grip coupled with the dustiness and Nico's excitement to get out and challenge for the win.
He is a pretty good driver and got the most out of the Williams, I don't see why he wont do well with the Merc.

Shumacher would not have won that race in that car. That track is difficult to pass on, then there is Hamilton. How would he deal with a driver like Hamilton.. on a street circuit... with KERS?
In fact I am expecting a couple of tussles and accidents between those 2 this year; some really nasty old school stuff.

[rich1701]

Yes that was down to the fresh tyres not having enough grip coupled with the dustiness and Nico's excitement to get out and challenge for the win.
He is a pretty good driver and got the most out of the Williams, I don't see why he wont do well with the Merc.

Shumacher would not have won that race in that car. That track is difficult to pass on, then there is Hamilton. How would he deal with a driver like Hamilton.. on a street circuit... with KERS?
In fact I am expecting a couple of tussles and accidents between those 2 this year; some really nasty old school stuff.

I agree he could not of passed him on the track, I thought maybe in a pitstop... I look forward to seeing Hamilton vs Schuey there this year though

[DaveKillens]

There is a lot more to Michael Schumacher than just his ability to cut quick lap times. Given the right car, any Formula One driver can make headlines. What makes Michael Schumacher great is the sum of all his abilities, he is the complete package. He has won when he shouldn't. He has made decisions that gave him wins. He will drive any car to it's full potential, and if possible, beyond. Michael knows how to win, and he has repeatedly deomonstrated the ability to pull all the race ingrediants together, figure out a valid strategy, and win when sometimes he doesn't have the best car.

It's known as racecraft, and he is definitely the master.

[allan]

There is a lot more to Michael Schumacher than just his ability to cut quick lap times. Given the right car, any Formula One driver can make headlines. What makes Michael Schumacher great is the sum of all his abilities, he is the complete package. He has won when he shouldn't. He has made decisions that gave him wins. He will drive any car to it's full potential, and if possible, beyond. Michael knows how to win, and he has repeatedly deomonstrated the ability to pull all the race ingrediants together, figure out a valid strategy, and win when sometimes he doesn't have the best car.

It's known as racecraft, and he is definitely the master.

couldn't put it any better.
I would also add his ability to use the rules and bend them to his advantage. No matter how controversial and unfair some of his moves were, you gotta admit the guy is damn smart. He's also brought that thinking to Ferrari, and they're continuing with it even after his retirement.

Now a bunch of people are going to jump and start bashing him, but whether you agree or not, he is , at least in my opinion, the perfect racing driver: quick (not quickest), technical, and is not afraid to use anything within his reach to get to victory.

Edit: Regarding the reaction time thing: reaction time follows a bell curve with a mean around 0.15-0.2 seconds. Now in Formula 1 this means a lot; however, although reaction time decreases with age, but we're talking 20 vs 60, not 38 vs 40-1, i.e. the decrease is negligible.

[MichaelW]

My man close to MGP told me that there was a crash test done last friday.
It concerned the sidepods so it´s likely we´ll see a bit of a different shape at Manama. There´s also a straight line test on the way for tomorrow before the car goes on the way to Bahrain.

[JohnsonsEvilTwin]

Alan

Perhaps not perfect, but very good indeed. Personally, Senna was my "perfect" driver.
I also think if Schumacher was asked the question of who would win out the 2, He would have the good grace to cede to Ayrton Senna. I think he reveres the Brazilian that much.

I know this is speculative, but what if that fateful day in Imola didnt happen?
1994 1995 1996 and possibly 1997 could possibly have yielded the name Senna.
Schumacher won in 94 and 95 with an inferior car but also to an inferior driver.
Hill and then later Villenuve were not even close to Senna.

Sadly we will never know, but I think this "IF" is certainly not lost on Micheal.

[JohnsonsEvilTwin]

Micheal

Great stuff, straight line test? Where?

And do you think the side pod redesign will be dramtic in keeping with the nose design(ie talk of vortices around the nose) so that the ari flow is more effiecient?

[BreezyRacer]

Alan

Perhaps not perfect, but very good indeed. Personally, Senna was my "perfect" driver.
I also think if Schumacher was asked the question of who would win out the 2, He would have the good grace to cede to Ayrton Senna. I think he reveres the Brazilian that much.

I know this is speculative, but what if that fateful day in Imola didnt happen?
1994 1995 1996 and possibly 1997 could possibly have yielded the name Senna.
Schumacher won in 94 and 95 with an inferior car but also to an inferior driver.
Hill and then later Villenuve were not even close to Senna.

Sadly we will never know, but I think this "IF" is certainly not lost on Micheal.

The way i remember it Schumie spanked Senna that entire season before Senna's demise. Not to say they aren't both great drivers .. it's just that we did see that duel .. just not for long enough. Let's make this the last word on this for this thread though.

[JohnsonsEvilTwin]

Breezy

One final thought:D

Schumacher did not spank Senna at all, Senna died on the 3rd race of the season.
Schumacher won it from Hill by a single point in 1994. Do you think that would have been the case had it(the accident)not happened? I certainly dont.