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Testing ban hurting Schumacher
ESPNF1 Staff
December 15, 2011
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Michael Schumacher: "In the past we did a lot of testing. Today not, so I have had some problems with the tyres" © Getty Images
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Michael Schumacher said that his comeback hasn't been so successful because of the lack of in-season testing in Formula One.
Schumacher returned to the sport at the start of 2010 following a three-year absence, but has yet to stand on the podium. Although the Mercedes has not been quick enough to challenge for race wins, Nico Rosberg has scored three podiums in that time and has beaten his team-mate in both seasons so far. Schumacher admitted that he thought he would be more successful when he returned, but said that the lack of testing means he struggles to get on top of the tyres.
"Some have questioned whether my mood has changed. It would be nice if outsiders didn't make guesses without knowing," Schumacher told Corriere della Sera. "I thought that I might be (on the podium) at least a couple of times. Together we have to work hard to improve performance but we are not afraid of that.
"In F1 there are no magic wands. In the past we did a lot of testing. Today not, so I have had some problems with the tyres. I have not learned how to interpret them correctly. Previously I came to the race weekend knowing what was coming. Now the tests don't come until Friday and I am still getting used to this system."
Despite his problems, 2011 was a clear improvement for Schumacher - whose contract runs out at the end of 2012 - and he's yet to rule out an extension to his deal.
"Will I be here in 2013? There is no hurry yet to think about it."
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ESPN Staff
It is obvious some people clearly know the situation with Schumy and others are just amateurs making silly accusations. 43 years old in a few days and still on the pace, that's Amazing within itself, his fitness....absolutely mesmerizing. 2010 and 2011 F1 cars rely on fundamentally on aerodynamics and how to maximise the tyres life by treating them well (with the aero package) Driving style has an influencing effect on tyres but not as much as before....Michael drove his best years in an era where drivers skills were important, the ability to have an inferior car fighting for the championship.....today, its all about buttons and electronic gadgets.......Seriously..does anyone hear believe that Vettel would have one a race with Michaels mercedes this year ??? Please..
Posted by@steve jasmine "..... which the other drivers didn't have" ... that's totally wrong. Prior to the mid-season testing ban introduced in 2009, every team has an equal right to do tests. it was a one-week window full of testing and every team does it. What Ferrari (and sometimes Minardi and Sauber) did is they chose Fiorano to do their testing while other teams chose silverstone/barcelona/jerez as their test site. It have the advantage of keeping their newly developed technology secret, while also disadvantageous as they wont know how they car performs against other teams. "he isn't such a champion any more, now that the playing field is level" if the playing field was not level at that time, why would the other teams agreed to race against ferrari then? that was the most hateful and biased comment from a schumi haters.
Posted byHard work is the key to do well in any sport at any level, more so in the professional levels. I cannot see the point why people bash MS for working so hard for his championships. Do you think Michael Jordan became the legend that he is by sitting around watching other players play? MS joined a team that gave him the best opportunity for success AND he WORKED hard for it! Sure, because of the practically endless testing hours Ferrari had, they dominated the sport in the early 2000s but they worked for it. How many drivers are willing to work as hard as MS did to win?
Posted byThank you for making my point. Now that there is a level playing field, the great Schumacher is just like... Webber, Massa etc. A second rate driver. Which is what we wanted to see. The REAL situation. In the past a whole lot of teams switched from Bridgestone to Micheline tires as they got sick of Ferrari (and therefore Schumacher) getting the tires he wanted. Once that happened he stopped winning every day. That is the truth.
Posted byJust highlight the seasons. just like Aleks Tsoy said, Rosberg talso ake more point than Schumi because Schumi got more DNF from being hit. But from will to win, I think Schumi give a better fight than Rosberg. GP Montreal is one of his skill prove.
Posted byGood point Steve in regards to Fiorano. That is why Ferrari is grumbling about the lack of in season testing and threatening to leave. That was a big advantage ferrari had and now it is gone. Under the current rules they are getting spanked by Red bull and they won't catch them unless they can rack up endless kms at their own private test track. As for Schumacher I think he still has some pace and will deliver better results next year as Mercedes may produce a quick car. Brawn is due to deliver.
Posted byto Steve Jasmine> yeah, it's a bit true about not having tests at Fiorano and now that the playing field is level. But please let's not forget - his was absent three years! The chassis are changed, the tyres are changed as well! "to Steve Jasmine> All the other drivers had to get used to the Pirelli tires." - but it's not true! There are few drivers in the field which have had a big problems with the tyres - Massa, Webber, Alonso a bit, I think that's enough? They were in business without having missed out any mths. Sure, no podium yet for Schumi, but it will! And remember, at this season even Nico have won him, Schum got the 4th place and this is a most best result for MGP this season! Had not Schumi mechanical issues more then Nico and had not he more retirements, he would won him by the points for sure! Any way, let see next season and let's back to this subject again!
Posted byumm yeh he is a gd champion mate, and it wasnt just him who had problems with the tyres, webber also had them and he was in the best car on the grid, at least michael isnt giving up, and hopefully mercedes make him a more competitive car to challenge the the top 3 teams
Posted byhow do you know pirelli did not give vettel a tire that he wants? specially when everyone is struggling with the hard tire and his time is the only one thats unusually fast....
Posted byNow that he doesn't have Fiorano to drive around 8 hours a day, 7 days a week, which the other drivers didn't have, and with Bridgestone giving him the exact tire he wants, he isn't such a champion any more, now that the playing field is level. All the other drivers had to get used to the Pirelli tires.