Michael Schumacher - The Return

  

     Well who would have thought it after a three year absence the most successful driver in the history of F1 is to return to the sport. Some would consider him a sublime genius and others a mercenery cheat. I must at this point declare my own interest in this and state that I would be in the former of the two groups. I was blown away when Schumacher announced his retirement and this was only reinforced for me when in his last race in Interlagos he gave the same type of performance that the Harlem Globe Trotters give when they humiliate anyone they come up against.
     The big question of course is has he still got it! Michael himself appears unconcerned and with the confidence that seems to be the birthright of any top sportsman has said that he has kept his hand in mucking about on motorbikes and taking part in some karting events. Some have questioned whether that is enough. Johnny Herbert who was Schumachers team mate when he drove for Benneton sites others such as Mansell and Prost who struggled when they returned to F1. Schumacher also has the psychology of age to contend with. As we get older we become more aware of our mortality and are prone to a less risk taking approach. When milliseconds matter you cant afford to hesitate.
     Nico Rosberg, Schumacher's new team mate has laid down the gauntlet stating that he was never really a Schumacher fan anyway and always routed for Hakkinen, as he was a friend of the family. He went on to say that the Mercedes philosophy was to treat drivers as equals and that he intends to be in front of michael, for as much as possible. In fact at the moment drivers appear to be lining up to announce their intent to be in front of Scumacher. Gone it would seem are the days when all that they wanted was to win the race! Fernando Alonso has already demonstrated his ability to arrive at the chequered flag in front of Michael taking the 2005 and 2006 championship from him. The young guns are also getting ready in a field of drivers that hosts two other world champions and some very promising hopefuls. Lewis Hamilton, Mark Webber, Jenson Button, Felippe Massa and Robert Kubica are names that immediatly spring to my mind. I am sure you have your own thoughts.
     Then of course there is always the changes that have taken place in the cars. They have become more difficult to drive while Michael has been away with less driver aids on board. Writing this I have realized that the old giezzer of F1 has a lot to contend with. Do I think he can do it ? Well for me I always found that in his previous carnation in F1, when ever I believed the task he had to perform was impossible, he somehow managed to pull it off. Be it driving half a race stuck in 5th gear and getting a points finish or driving twenty laps at qualifying pace, to win a race he should not have been able to win. So I will stick my neck out and say I think we may be looking at another world championship here. Wow that was brave! One thing for sure, whatever happens we are in for an interesting season.