Saturday, October 21, 2006
The end of an era
Michael will retire on Sunday. What's your best and worst memory of him?
I'll add my comment but I'd like to first up add Patrick Head's comment which I thought was particularly pertinent.
I was very impressed I have to say when I was in England I watched the race in Japan at six o'clock in the morning and when the race finished, whenever it was, at a quarter to eight, I was so impressed to see him go round all of the Ferrari team in the garage and walk across to the pit wall and I think to myself we have had many drivers who have been world champions, but I cant think of one of them who would have done that.
And I think that aspect of Michael is the aspect that makes him a team builder or a team creator. As Ross says, when he comes to the factory, he doesn't decide how the car should be designed, but he is quite clearly an inspiration to those around him.
I'll add my comment but I'd like to first up add Patrick Head's comment which I thought was particularly pertinent.
I was very impressed I have to say when I was in England I watched the race in Japan at six o'clock in the morning and when the race finished, whenever it was, at a quarter to eight, I was so impressed to see him go round all of the Ferrari team in the garage and walk across to the pit wall and I think to myself we have had many drivers who have been world champions, but I cant think of one of them who would have done that.
And I think that aspect of Michael is the aspect that makes him a team builder or a team creator. As Ross says, when he comes to the factory, he doesn't decide how the car should be designed, but he is quite clearly an inspiration to those around him.
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I'll probably need a while to think about this. I am, of course, at somewhat of a disadvantage since I only started watching in 2000 - so I missed what many would consider his best (Barcelona 1996?) and worst (Jerez 1997?) moments. Top journalists listed theirs in an autosport.com issue and those two came out in front, I think.
Anyway, it was interesting what Mark Blundell said on itv-f1: with most drivers remembering a great over-taking move they've done is easy, but can you do it with Michael? How many are there? What immediately came into my mind was his move on Fisichella in China, and I have a feeling that might just be one of the best ever, although it's hard to tell because it was so recent. That whole race, in fact, was phenomenal from Schumacher, but the move itself was a classic Michael: he knew a lap before it happened what was going to happen. He took his time on his out-lap, confident Fisi would slip on on the first corner. He couldn't be certain there'd be enough space, but as soon as he saw the tiniest of gaps he went for it, aggresively and brilliantly opportunistic. I think in recent years he has been a bit conservative with over-taking, preferring to do it through a pit-stop, but that move was amazing - he was half-way onto the wet curb, accelerating into a corner!
But, as I say, I'll have to think about it...
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Anyway, it was interesting what Mark Blundell said on itv-f1: with most drivers remembering a great over-taking move they've done is easy, but can you do it with Michael? How many are there? What immediately came into my mind was his move on Fisichella in China, and I have a feeling that might just be one of the best ever, although it's hard to tell because it was so recent. That whole race, in fact, was phenomenal from Schumacher, but the move itself was a classic Michael: he knew a lap before it happened what was going to happen. He took his time on his out-lap, confident Fisi would slip on on the first corner. He couldn't be certain there'd be enough space, but as soon as he saw the tiniest of gaps he went for it, aggresively and brilliantly opportunistic. I think in recent years he has been a bit conservative with over-taking, preferring to do it through a pit-stop, but that move was amazing - he was half-way onto the wet curb, accelerating into a corner!
But, as I say, I'll have to think about it...
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