At first, I was absolutely staggered when Michael Schumacher said ‘it’s over’ after the race. It seemed incredible – the man famous for never giving up, effectively throwing in the towel.
But the more you think about it, the more you realise that this is just the Schumacher mind-management instinct kicking in.
Effectively, Michael has created a win-win situation for himself.
If he says that what lies before him is an impossible task, and then wins, he has achieved the impossible and will come out a hero just as he retires.
If Alonso wins he has already lowered expectations and no one will think the less of him.
Ross Brawn remained pleasingly off-message, insisting that it’s not all over; that Alonso could well fail to finish in Brazil, and it’s almost a given that Michael will have the pace to win the grand prix.
Time will tell, as Jean Todt might say.
Michael’s being philosophical, and mind-management theories aside, this is the most crushing disappointment of Michael’s whole career, and it must have been tempting to go into self-pitying mode.
Saying what he has said softens the blow, making it easier not only for him, but also for his beloved Ferrari team, who were distraught after the race.
They know that their equipment let Michael down when he needed it the most.
http://www.itv-f1.com/Feature.aspx?Type ... O_ID=37695
I agree 100% with Ted Kravitz (bold letters are mine).
I was so happy that people could have said that the Macca got another Championship.
"I've already altered the deal, pray I don't alter it any further" -Darth Vader to Lando Calrissian. The Empire Strikes Back.
"Progress is not always made by reasonable men." (McLaren Racing).
"We have optimised the lateral optical interface of the building." (Translation: "My factory has a lot of windows.") Ron Dennis.-
