FORUMula1.com

[smokin]

Celebrate diversity.

Thing is there is none here .

Yeah, we're all Hamilton fans, right? Oops. I mentioned the H word.

Hey dont do that!!! Tex will implode!!

He already did...

[darwin dali]

The return to Formula One of seven-time champion Michael Schumacher was somewhat underwhelming, with Mercedes claiming for much of the season that 2011 would be his year when he gets on Pirelli tyres. And judging by his tests, there could be weight behind their argument as he posted the second-fastest time, 0.156 seconds off Alonso.

"For the first step, from what we have seen here, I feel positive about the tyres," Schumacher said when asked if the new tyres will suit him better.

Schumacher's effort put him ahead of champion Sebastian Vettel who was third fastest despite suffering tyre failure for the second day in a row.

[What's Burning?]

The return to Formula One of seven-time champion Michael Schumacher was somewhat underwhelming, with Mercedes claiming for much of the season that 2011 would be his year when he gets on Pirelli tyres. And judging by his tests, there could be weight behind their argument as he posted the second-fastest time, 0.156 seconds off Alonso.

"For the first step, from what we have seen here, I feel positive about the tyres," Schumacher said when asked if the new tyres will suit him better.

Schumacher's effort put him ahead of champion Sebastian Vettel who was third fastest despite suffering tyre failure for the second day in a row.

I'd love to see Mercedes with as much a chance for a podium next year as Ferrari and McLaren had this year. Four teams slugging it out in Q3 for real.

[f1ea]

The silent killer Rosberg, and the aggressive competitive master... if Merc is on the mix next yr it will be awesome. Yet another reason why i think Ferrari should get Kubica for 2011.

[texasmr2]

http://www.crash.net/f1/news/165365/1/s ... _2011.html

Whilst playing down expectations of being able to reprise his former title-vying form, record-breaking multiple F1 World Champion Michael Schumacher has nonetheless affirmed his conviction that Mercedes Grand Prix is 'clearly in a better situation' heading into 2011 than it was 2010 – a season that, he now reflects, was always going to be 'a compromise'.

In his much-hyped, eagerly-anticipated comeback campaign following three years away from the cut-and-thrust of top flight competition, to say that Schumacher flattered to deceive would be something of an understatement. Indeed, notching up barely half the points total tallied by team-mate Nico Rosberg, no podium finishes to his younger compatriot's three and being routinely outperformed both in qualifying and on race day, it was an embarrassing situation for the most successful driver in the sport's long history to find himself in – but he insists there were reasons.

“I was away for three years, and I'm no longer 25,” he told German magazine Auto Motor und Sport. “There were a lot of changes – (former owner) Honda was gone and there wasn't the money to hold the team together. The car was a compromise and with the [Bridgestone] tyres, it was difficult for me to drive how I wanted to.

“In retrospect, there were things...my floor was burned because of the exhaust being too hot, or the F-duct working in places where it should not. There were many [issues], resulting from the fact that we were in a restructuring phase – but we still wanted to go for the title.”

In evidence of the problems that seemed to materialise predominantly on his MGP W01 rather than that of Rosberg, Schumacher pointed to Singapore – arguably the nadir of his season, in performance terms at least, with an uncharacteristically lowly 13th place at the chequered flag. That, too, he recalls, was not quite as straightforward as met the eye.

“A week later, I got the team's analysis,” the German legend revealed. “My team-mate and I were five degrees apart on the front wing. In F1, that's a world. At Spa, my F-duct didn't work, but I didn't say anything. At Suzuka it happened again, again a problem with my car but not with Nico's. I said to Norbert [Haug – Mercedes-Benz Motorsport Vice-President] and Ross [Brawn – team principal] that it was time for an explanation of the reasons. I prefer to speak inside the team, and I am convinced that in 2011 the problems will exist no more.”

Indeed, with stability having been largely restored now at the Brackley-based outfit and off the back of a far more encouraging conclusion to proceedings this year than the way it had begun, 'Schumi' is cautiously confident about his prospects for 2011, as he endeavours to make sure 2010 was the only campaign in his F1 career that yielded not so much as a single podium finish – an outcome the 41-year-old is palpably in no rush to repeat.

“We are clearly in a better situation now because of the immense support from Mercedes,” he underlined in conclusion, “but we cannot presume to think that we will be fighting for the championship. We will make a big leap forward and, if all goes well, win races.”

[Jack Master]

I must firmly state that Schumi stinks.

[What's Burning?]

I think Mercedes will give him the benefit of the doubt for at least half the season next year.

[Jack Master]

I think Mercedes will give him the benefit of the doubt for at least half the season next year.

Talking seriously, I believe Schumacher will follow linked to Mercedes playing a main role when he retires.

[texasmr2]

I must firmly state that Schumi stinks.

Your just jealous of him admit it !

[Jack Master]

I must firmly state that Schumi stinks.

Your just jealous of him admit it !

Yes, uncle. If he didn’t stink I would be jealous of him.

[F1er]

The old and the young along with Ross have to come up with goodies, otherwise I dont see Merc in F1 in 2012!

[7UpJordan]

If anything the Brackley outfit have missed Barrichello's input. The car was also designed around Button's super smooth style, which is probably why Rosberg was always quicker.

I wouldn't count on the car being super-quick just because of Schumacher, remember what Eddie Irvine said when Schumacher ditched a front wing that Irvine had gained over a second with.

[texasmr2]

Sorry if these video's have been posted previously but I thought they were worth a repost simply because Schumacher man's up to his resent challenges and too his past mistakes which are constantly brought up against him in the age of F1 Lewis, who I highly respect so no offense intended .

http://edition.cnn.com/video/#/video...iref=allsearch" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://edition.cnn.com/video/#/video...iref=allsearch" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[Ayrton Senna is God]

I can see Schumi being replaced by Nico Hulkenburg at the end of 2011. He should not have returned.

[texasmr2]

I can see Schumi being replaced by Nico Hulkenburg at the end of 2011. He should not have returned.