All hail ‘Schumy’ – Four Times World Champion. Some say he’s the best Grand Prix driver there has ever been. A real Formula One Phenomenon.
Hey, hold the Bus there a minute.
Yes, Michael Schumacher is a fine Grand Prix driver and has completely dominated the racing circuits for the past two seasons. In fact this season was over before it started. His Ferrari is the best car and he is arguably the best driver. Each Grand Prix sees Michael in or around ‘pole position’. His car is universally regarded as the best – the fastest, the most technologically advanced, the most reliable. Other drivers have been in his wake and today – yet again – he has triumphed in a Grand Prix in Hungary. It put the seal on his Fourth Drivers Championship. Fantastic, Congratulations, Michael.
But – and I know I will annoy some people here – it’s NOT A SPORT REALLY IS IT?
Not too long ago there was some element of sport in Formula One. There was pretty much a ‘level playing field’. Some teams had fast cars in a straight line, but on some circuits the slower cars could succeed because they handled better. The prizes were handed around. Each Grand Prix was in doubt. Albeit the lesser teams had no chance. Some, like Minardi and even Prost, BAR and Jaguar have about as much chance of upsetting the odds against the mighty Ferrari as…..Del Boy in his Robin Reliant!
If Schumacher is so damn good – let’s see him win a Grand Prix in a Minardi.
No, it would not happen. The money men control the Formula One Circuit. The top drivers get the best seats in the best cars. But remember a few years ago when we last had a World Champ – Damon Hill. He switched from his winning team, Williams (I think??) to a lesser outfit – Arrows. How many Grand Priz did he win then? But hang on this guy was the WORLD CHAMPION….No he was not really was he. He was an adequate driver, fortunate to be in the best car for the season.
Same goes for Michael. He is an excellent driver, of that there is no dispute. BUT There are many other drivers who are very good – put them in a Ferrari and watch them win. Take the #2 driver at Ferrari, Ruben Barrichello. He is often – like today – well into the points, yet he is only a journeyman driver. Eddie Irivine has that seat last year and was one of Schumacher’s main challengers. This season in the Jaguar, Eddie, often as not, doesn’t even finish.
The Success and plaudits heaped on Schumacher is much akin to honouring a drug cheat in Athletics, I’m afraid. Athletes A, B, C, D, E all train hard, try hard and run hard – Athletes F, G and H all do too – but they have got that extra bit of ‘gas’ through artificial aids. Same as Formula 1 racing. No, it’s not drugs – it’s more money, a bigger team, bigger resources, more lucrative tyre contract, better designers etc. Bung a half awake driver in the car and VA VA VOOOOOOM – World Champ!
It’s the CAR that is the King…not the Driver. Don’t ever try and tell me different.