A legend retires

[Skybird]

One may like him or hate him, he surely polarizes F1 fans, but his acchievements are without rival in this sport, his professionalism is only met by a small handful of drivers, his records stay beyond doubt, and his abilities and skills can hardly to be ignored. Without "Schumi", Formula One will no longer be what it has been in the last ten years.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/moto...ne/5332630.stm

With Schmacher's win today, Alonso must feel more hunted than ever in this season. his lead has molten down to just two points. I think the guy in red will leave the circus with one last triumph at the end of this season, saluting his fans with a final 8th championship title!

[DanCanovas]

i will really miss him. it wont be the same without him. it will take a long time for the sport to gather itself with no Schumacher.

[Bellman]

A true giant who we shall miss for his consumate professionalism and magical driving abilities.

Well done Schumi

[The Avon Lady]

Will my keyboard's remaining 11 function keys continue to work?

[Polak]

Schumi, a good F1 driver.
The one I have my eyes on now is Robert Kubica!

[XabbaRus]

Originally Posted by Skybird

Without "Schumi", Formula One will no longer be what it has been in the last ten years.

Yea maybe we won't have one guy out in front all the time

On a side note until they get rid of pit stops and actually design the cars so they can pass on track a la late 1980's early 90's then F1 will still be a processional race if you can call it that. The phrase I hate hearing the most is "he won't take any chances now, he'll be happy to settle for 2nd with 10 laps to go." They don't race any more they pass in the pits, check out the way they dive in when stuck behind another car instead of trying to pass.

Did anyone see the Malaysian MotoGp with Rossi duelling with Capirossi. That is what racing is about the lead swapping vehicles close to each other and either using skill or taking advantage of a small error.

Anyway shame he didn't stay to race with Raikonnen in equal equipment.

[Perilscope]

Originally Posted by Skybird

One may like him or hate him,...

I like Shumi, and even more the Scuderia. The F1 and Ferrari won't be the same now and for a while, anyway personally speaking.

Originally Posted by Skybird

I think the guy in red will leave the circus with one last triumph at the end of this season, saluting his fans with a final 8th championship title!

I whish him an 8th championship, even more so because it will be almost impossible for the next two decades for someone to beat it, even forever, who knows?
Ferrari and him forged something that it will be remembered for a long time, long, long time... controversial or not, it was unforgettable. Just like I will never forget Ayrton Senna.

[STEED]

The King of Kings is going, leaving a great big hole in F1 and no one has got the guts and bloody determination as Michael Schumacher has. It's going to be a very long time before we see another driver of Schumacher's class.

[Skybird]

Decisive part of his driver's brilliance is his technical competence, he is said to know the technology better than any other driver - and even more important, he is able to communicate to the technicians what he wants them to do with the car and how it feels and why it feels the way it feels. This competence is worth pure gold, and it seems it will be saved for Ferrari - he is confirmed to stay with the team anyway, just in what function is not yet clear. But since the team effectively got formed and determined by him, he can very much define his future role as to his liking.

[Sailor Steve]

Hey, quit while you're on top, I always say.

Originally Posted by XabbaRus

On a side note until they get rid of pit stops and actually design the cars so they can pass on track a la late 1980's early 90's then F1 will still be a processional race if you can call it that.

As far as I'm concerned that decline started with the installation of wings in 1968. Schumacher is the best driver, but having the best car helps. When was the last time a driver won a championship on pure skill, driving a car that everyone considered inferior? Fangio in 1957 comes to my mind (Maserati 250F against the much better Ferrari 246).

Anyway, I'm not denying the man his obvious talent. Go Schumi!

[Bellman]

Schumi has my respect and admiration but cannot match my esteem for Ayrton Senna whose dash, verve, elan and daring charged the adrenalin.

A fanatical supporter of F! for many years my interest has been drained by pit passing and 'Team orders'
We are left with poor sport beyond the first five minutes after the race start !

AS: '' If I am going to live, I want to live fully. Very intensively, because I am an intensive person.
It would ruin my life if I had to live partialy.'' (Talking about the risk of serious accidents.)

His fans loved him and still do.

[Skybird]

Schumi is a great admirer of Senna whom he described as his personal idol and example to follow. He later broke in tears about his death during a press conference, and dedicated his first world championship title to him. I do not think that it was stage-acting.

[CB..]

definitely be sorry to see him go even tho i'm not a fan ..on the rule changes etc i think last years were the most entertaining..the one set of tires for the entire race gave every-one a half decent chance ..it took the edge of the ace drivers and gave the smaller teams a slice of the pie..
every race was a surprise..you never knew who was going to win...i guesse the american debacle killed that idea tho..:hmm:

i reckon it makes far more sense to go back to last years rules as it encouraged the smaller teams and brought in a number of new sponsors and teams who could even with limited finance and resources could reasonably expect to be on the same lap as the leaders at the end of the race picking up points in the process....if we allow the big money teams to dominate then it stands to reason that it wll allways be a two or three horse race....which is not good racing by any-ones standards..

and the qualifying...i'm lost don't watch it any more...it's just plain odd..

[XabbaRus]

The thing with Schumi and Ferrari is that his team mates could never compete with him on an equal level with team orders and equipment, Ferrari like in Benetton he got the whole team behind him, you might say it was one of his gifts but I'd love to see him race Raikonnen or Alonso in the same equipment.

AS for his integrity, I know to get to the very top you have to be rutheless but he was unsporting about it, ie taking out Damon in 94 to get the championship.

One could mention Senna taking out Prost, but as Villeneuve said Senna did say he was going to do it.
I dunno, although it is in some ways a shame he's retiring I can't say I'm sad to see him go.

[Sailor Steve]

Originally Posted by XabbaRus

One could mention Senna taking out Prost...

I'm glad you did, but I still feel like I'm putting my head on the block here. I've never liked Senna very much. I always felt like when he was in the best car he won, and when he wasn't he didn't. I just don't have a lot of respect for a 'sportsman' who guarantees a championship by intentionally ramming the one driver who has a chance of beating him.