Schumi: That big joy is missing

[Dare]

Personally I'd like to see him turn this year around but I'm afraid
it's not going to happen


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   After weeks of insisting that he's having fun, Michael Schumacher has finally admitted that the "big joy" of F1 racing is "not there right now."

When Schumacher announced he was returning to Formula One, the German quite clearly stated: "I want to have fun out there."

However, it seems that he's not having much joy these days.

Although he has often said since his comeback that he had "fun" out there even though he wasn't fighting for race wins or podiums, on Sunday in Turkey the fun finally faded.

With rumours suggesting he could be on his way out at the end of the season, Schumacher told the BBC that the "big joy is not there right now."

Starting P8 on the grid, Schumacher was involved in several battles, including one on lap three with Vitaly Petrov which sent the seven-time Champ into the pits for a new nose.

That dropped him down to 22nd place, from which he fought back to finish 12th.

"What happened with Vitaly Petrov, it was mostly my mistake - suddenly we got together and I lost my front wing," said Schumacher.

"There was lots of fighting and lots of action, but all for nothing."

He added: "Mostly I was able to go forward but the big joy is not there right now."

[Ian]

As we said on race chatroom today Dare, it's time for him to hang up his racing gloves, great shame really as he was the best.

[Andy B]

I have to agree but I expect him to see the season out, who is reserve?
Good to chat earlieer I'll do it again.

[Dare]

I have to agree but I expect him to see the season out, who is reserve?
Good to chat earlieer I'll do it again.

glad to have you Andy,we've been doing it for 5 years now

[Alianora La Canta]

As I understand it, Mercedes currently has no reserve whatsoever, so they'd probably ask Vijay nicely if they could possibly borrow Nico Hulkenburg if they got really desperate to send Michael away (or he left of his own accord).

[lkjohnson1950]

I realise Schumacher has been struggling, and I am not his biggest fan (HA!), but I think there was something wrong with his car today. He was right on pace with the frontrunners until after P3, then couldn't get it going again. Not typical. I think he is suffering from what I speculated on when he announced his return, a lack of testing. I never thought he was a great driver, but he is probably the best test and development driver ever and he can't do that now. He can't whittle the car to his exact specs, but must deal with what he's got and I think it handicaps him.

Lonny

[Jugirl]

As I understand it, Mercedes currently has no reserve whatsoever, so they'd probably ask Vijay nicely if they could possibly borrow Nico Hulkenburg if they got really desperate to send Michael away (or he left of his own accord).

I agree with you there Ali. Being young and German i think he would be first choice if MS was pushed or went on his own accord. I somehow don't think though they will push him out because it would be a bit of a kick in the teeth from Ross Brawn to someone he has had so much success with. Its more likely he will see the season out and then retire of his own accord.

Ju

[Scott]

Ok, mid season is one thing, but looking at next year, if Merc go after Hulk, they will remain a mid-runner.  They should be hunting down Vettel, or even Webber, maybe Massa (no, I'm not a fan, but he has shown he can drive pretty quick, unlike Hulk).  Even Button might be lured back to Brawn if it becomes too obvious that Hammy owns Mclaren, and the Merc car is on the rise.  Bottom line, Merc needs a top driver, especially if Rosberg is on the way out too.

[John S]

If, and I think it's still a big if, Michael walks away Norbert will bring in Di Resta, I'm sure that's the development plan and they would simply be enacting it a year early. IMO Hulkenberg is at F1FI because they know Paul possibly may only be there this year and would be moving to Merc sooner or later anyway. 

Whilst I don't rate Rosberg in the same league as Vettel, Lewis and Nando, he is now starting to look like a race winner if the car or circumstances allow. I see Rosberg's big problem coming when another younger man steps into the Merc if Shumi leaves, a new boy keeping up or even beating him might end Nico's silver arrows career.

Like Lonny says Michael seems to have trouble adapting to the extremly variable conditions that the drivers face at the moment, however he showed he can still turn on the speed with a very fast lap in practice so I don't think he will chuck in the towel just yet. The other big factor is how much his input is helping improve the car, if Nico is running up front because MS has found speed in the chassis maybe he may hang on.



 

[Williamsfan]

I agree John, that's how I would see it going too.  Di Resta seems destined for Mercedes with the Hulk being his replacement.  Schumi's return is even more disappointing this year than it was last season. 

[stealthhaggis]

Shadow of his former self, especially in the grey outfit! Would love to see Di Resta given his drive and Nico stepping back into F1 after a decent enough first season. The younger guys deserve their chance, people who actually are enjoying themselves.

[Scott]

Di Resta still isn't proven.  I don't think Merc could stand another year in the mid-pack if it takes him long to learn the car, or doesn't perform as well as his record.  Fine to bring him in as one of two drivers, but I would make sure the other driver has more experience than Hulkenberg.  Plus I thought Merc was aiming for German drivers, at least down the road.

[Monty]

Many of you will know that I am not a fan of Schumacher (under-statement) and think his return to F1 was bad for the sport and stopped a younger (probably more talented) driver the opportunity of a drive.
For all of you that respond with a count of his WDC's remember that he cheated his way to 3 of them and for most of the others he had the priviledged position of being a clear number one driver, in the best car and with a team built around him. If you go back to his early days he was regularly beaten by other drivers in similar machinery.
If Schumacher had an 'edge', it was his ruthlessness. I also think he was incredibly lucky. I witnessed him cause accidents on a number of occassions that he drove away from, while his 'target' was sidelined.
I think Rosberg is clearly a better driver and there are plenty of young drivers on the Mercedes payroll that could replace Schumacher at much lower cost. I really hope that Di Resta is given the Mercedes drive next season.

[Scott]

For all of you that respond with a count of his WDC's remember that he cheated his way to 3 of them

He cheated his way out of one too.

[cosworth151]

I'm not a big Schumi fan, either, but I felt truly bad for him. It was very sad to see an ex-champion with his love of the sport just washed out of him.