Why everybody think that this is the same MS as he was in 1998? Or even 2006? Where it was visible he has passed his prime. And now you should be really delusional if you think Michael would beat everyone else like in his prime years. I'm expecting respectable performance. If he could beat Rosi it would be really incredible. Because I think he won't.

Redforce, would you mind defining "past his prime" for me? I hear it a lot but no one ever defines the term. Are you referring to his mental capacity? Physical abilities? If it is either I would suggest you do some research into aging and diminished skills. Michael at what 39 is far from the age when his age related physical or mental deterioration will result in a measurable performance decrease. I would remind you that fighter pilots, well into their 40's and arguably subjected to higher physical and mental tasks, are able to preform as well or better than younger pilots.

I thought 2006 was a great year for him. He made a couple mistakes, but he's always done that under pressure. On the other hand he had some fantastic drives, like Monaco for instance.

I don't want argue with fanboys. That's my humble opinion.
Michael after 2000 was not the same as in 90th. Physical shape and mental strength has nothing to do with reflex. With age your reflex abilities decrease. It's inevitable thing. And now new team, new probably the fastest teammate he ever had and his forty. I'm just trying to be realistic and something tell me MS would be lucky if he win even one GP.

That Button is fastest, obviously.


Cooper

Then don't call people "fanboys" when they are not and refer to them as "delusional" if they disagree with your "humble opinion".

I don't think he was past his prime at all. I rather thought he retired too early, although being out of the sport for 3 years might well have taken it's toll now. For me that's a bigger factor than age.

That's a rather poor attitude to a not unreasonable post. That's the way to get on peoples ignore list.

Can't wade through the entire thread,but from what I've read I think people are jumping to conclusions based on testing. Bit silly because Schumacher and Rosberg have been on different testing programmes except setup work and system checks which are common to both drivers. We've seen MS has been working more on improving balance issues,understanding tyre wear under varying fuel loads etc,while Nico has been working on improving the pace of the car. Working as a team is more important this season than any other,especially for a team like Mercedes. Schumacher is yet to do a quali simulation at Barcelona.

But don't let that stop the fun in here,anyway-go on and analyze how MS' long run laptimes compare with those of Rosberg's three-lap sprints. Yes,I think Michael is about two seconds a lap slower and will be lapped by Nico at Bahrain. Please quote me on this when this happens so I can join in the celebrations.

Sorry but who could really think that it's the same Michael who drove Benetton and Ferrari in 90th? Or even in 2006?

Could he became stronger due his 3 year absent? No. Could he lose some of his abilities? Probably yes. All in all if you look realistic, not like biased fan, you could figure it would be extremely tough for Michael beat his younger and talented opponent. I didn't say it's impossible but you should forget all this "how great he was some day..." stuff. Because it won't help. Today is another story.

There is truth in what you write, but you are ignoring perhaps the most important element: motivation. In my mind he was not motivated in 2005/6 as he had been previously, and that must have made an impact. Now with him refreshed and recharged, there is a very good chance that he will be a better driver than in 2006 (though in my mind he was amazing that year) Motivation and experience count for a lot, as does mind management, and he will make use of them all this year, perhaps more than in any other year of his career.

Ultimately we won't know till the season is at least a few races old.


Cooper

Looks like a butthurt ferrari fan, sounds like a butthurt ferrari fan, smells like a butthurt ferrari fan, its probably a butthurt ferrari fan.

Sorry but how motivation can improve reflex? Or prevent from ageing?

Reflex has little to do with racing. It's not the how fast are your reaction that's important. You may find this interesting, by the way: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HmolQryHxkM

Ageing might be a factor but only if you're thinking of fitness. And I don't think that anyone really argues that Schumacher isn't fit.

Oh dear.

Tell me what skill important in F1.

Racing is important in F1. Reflexes are important if you're Beatrix Kiddo and try to catch with your bare hands enemie's darts shot through a shoji. Even so, an 150 years old Pei Mei will still kick your ass.

Racing skill depends upon what?

Have you watched the clip that I linked above? It's really interesting.

Could you answer by your own words?

To the clip - yes, I know how those things works. But still those abilities decrease with age.

from ESPNF1

While much of the attention in Bahrain will be on Heidfeld's team-mate Michael Schumacher, Ross Brawn said: "Nico [Rosberg] has felt a little better in the car [than Schumacher] in his test days."

And Schumacher's manager Willi Weber said his client did not enjoy the W01's tendency to understeer.

Actually I'm not sure 'reflexes' as in reaction times are particularly important in F1 or indeed any racing series. I suspect it's more to do with sensitivity to stimuli and precision of response, i.e. a good driver 'feels' the car sliding earlier than a poor one, through visual indicators, changes in G-forces etc., and applies the appropriate correction, rather than noticing the slide at the same time as a poorer driver and reacting quicker.

I recall seeing a programme on (British) TV which investigated Michael Schumacher's reactions (and this was when he was in his prime) and found they weren't especially fast. BUT they found that he picked up visual clues earlier than most and this gave the impression of faster reactions. I'll try to find some more details of the programme or other studies on this, but it suggests that driving fast is more about an innate 'feel', something which you might not lose too much with age.

What did he loose being in this stage of his life which will aftect his racing, other then, I presume, diminishing peripheral vision, and body stregth which he has to offset with increased intensity of his aerobic training?

although losing of the body strenght is very important, because (especially in hot races) it`s easier to lose one`s concentration while driving, i think that even 41 ms will be too tough opponent for nico rosberg. besides it`s goining to be very interesting to see how ms will cope with those all youngsters on the track.

My concern is, that there might be a few hot heads who will feel compelled not to yield, prove themselves against him, driving out of limit in bad situations, and therefore I think Michael is in more danger of contact then most.

What comes around goes around

that is probably what is gonna happen. there will be "no mercy" for old champion this time. this is gonna be exciting season.

and I'm sure you will bash those drivers just as much as you have bashed MS over the years...

feeling better and liking the car doesn't mean he'll be faster than schumacher in it.
schumi may hate it's natural understeer and still end up faster

I do not mind him being challenged, but I am concern that type of accidents, to pick one randomly, like Sutil is involved often, can cost him championship this year, because of the field being tight, and points spread is now greater.

your probably on about this one which tends to suggest he has better a better feel for the car than pretty much everyone else
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uk2p2nRK-p4

So is it Rosberg - Schumacher 1 - 0 now or do we have to wait for the whole weekend?

Looks like Michael is really struggling!

It's not that he's struggling more a case of Rosberg's speed - the guy is quick! Michael is old so we shouldn't really be expecting him to match a young talented driver that has lots of F1 experience already.

2 -0 after 2nd practice...

WTF?
you put 1-0 or 0-1 after whole weekend (race)

Assuming Rosberg beats him in SP while Schumacher does it during q and race . It would be stil 3-2 rosberg
Not funny.

Only Qlf and race matter, nothing else counts

Yep. Rosberg 2, Michael 0.

...But let's wait for qualy and race. To be fair it could be that MS is on a totally different programme.

No. You do it by session. So it's 2-0. Else it's not legal.

Can't wait for the score in Abu Dhabi.

Oh dear

I didnt realise that you guys are so desperate to see Micheal lose!

Yeah I know. Check the rules first.

Schumacher better do more low fuel running in practice tomorow, else it might become 3-0.

in before reports of neck pain.

Please consider that they had SEVEN really tough years in the past



Get a life

x7 times world champion beaten by younger team mate IS worthy of being noted surely?
Or do we just let it pass without comment.

Fixed

Please can the trolling in this thread end now?

its worth noting in Qualy and Race....not in a friday free practice session
If he beats him in race i will personally acknowledge his skills

Define the word beaten after two practice sessions without knowing fuel loads. Let's wait until Qualifying. We all know who was practice champion last year

I cant wait for that reason not to be an excuse anymore, bring on Q and the race!

I like your short answers. Get a sense of sarcasm though.

We all know it's useless to keep scores that aren't brought to us by the FIA.