@Carlos: I think we see this the same way
@Eunice: of course, I agree with you - Nico isn't going to drive more slowly but normally, one would also expect to hear more from him too. Nico, however, has become more and more sensitive to the risk of the media distorting anything he says because of the extra attention caused by the fact that the 7 time champ has returned. So Nico has consciously decided to do all his talking on the track. The happy Schumi who was just happy to be back in F1 has been replaced by a more tense Schumi who is feeling the pressure of expectation on him. After all, F1 is all about delivering results.
@WAY: I haven't stated a final judgement. I said that Nico has made him look past it. That's not the same as saying he is actually past it. I also said Nico's performances have made Schumi look diminished in our eyes. Again, this is a perception we are being encouraged to form by Nico's performances. That doesn't mean Schumi is actually a diminished driver.
I have been as excited as anyone about Schumi's return. He is the most successful F1 race driver in history. It's a F1 feast for the eyes to see so many current and former champs fighting it out on track. I'm glad he's back not least for the spectacle and the entertainment value.
But from a personal perspective for Schumi, given his incomparable and majestic record, the only way Schumi can go is down given the competition he is up against. Let's be realistic, Schumi in a car that is based on the one that was fast only in the first half of last year was always going to struggle against Alonso & Massa in resurgent Ferraris and against Hamilton & Button in resurgent McLarens.
However, the real surprise has been that Schumi's young team mate who has never won a race yet has so far consistently outperformed him in both qualifications and both races.
But nothing is decided yet - Schumi still has time on his side to turn this around - but I fear that the writing is already being scrawled on the wall for what the outcome of this season looks likely to be.
But I must say, we're very lucky - because it will be fascinating for us all to see how this ultra-close season will play out to its conclusion
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RT Moderator - 997.1 Carrera S GT Silver/Cocoa, -20mm/LSD, PSE, short shifter, SportDesign rims, Zuffenhausen collection