[Andrius]

James Allen alluded to something on the weekend that has been nagging at me since about the half-way point of the season. And that is what could Michael Schumacher do with a car as good as the F2008?

Allen suggested that some where saying that the only reason Hamilton is even in the title hunt is because the Ferrari drivers have singularly failed to deliver the goods. I think there's some truth to this theory.

We all know how crappy a season Raikkonen's had. He's lost 16 points that I can think of through chucking the car at the scenery or another car. Spa - lost 8 points spinning out of 2nd. Singapore - lost 4 points running by hitting the wall while running 5th and Monaco - lost 4 points by ramming Sutil while running 5th. Can anybody see Schumi doing that? Those points would have clinched the WCC already and seen him still in contention for the WDC.

Massa hasn't lost as many points, just 8 (from memory) from throwing it off the road in Malaysia but those 8 points would see us with 1 point ball game with 1 race to play. Throw in a truly awful performance at Silverstone and you have the makings of a championship lost.

I have the feeling that even a 2006 vintage Schumi would have put Hamilton away this year. The F2008 is the better car and Schumi would have put it to great use. Even if you account for the mechanical troubles Ferrari have had I still think Schumi's leadership and ability to extract every point that the F2008 has in it would have seen the WDC over with 2 races to spare.

Not that Hamilton doesn't deserve the title. He's a truly gifted driver and is thoroughly deserving of his impending title but as a Ferrari fan this season has made me appreciate how much Michael Schumacher brought to the table every other Sunday.

[Beauseaccerce]

James Allen alluded to something on the weekend that has been nagging at me since about the half-way point of the season. And that is what could Michael Schumacher do with a car as good as the F2008?

Allen suggested that some where saying that the only reason Hamilton is even in the title hunt is because the Ferrari drivers have singularly failed to deliver the goods. I think there's some truth to this theory.

We all know how crappy a season Raikkonen's had. He's lost 16 points that I can think of through chucking the car at the scenery or another car. Spa - lost 8 points spinning out of 2nd. Singapore - lost 4 points running by hitting the wall while running 5th and Monaco - lost 4 points by ramming Sutil while running 5th. Can anybody see Schumi doing that? Those points would have clinched the WCC already and seen him still in contention for the WDC.

Massa hasn't lost as many points, just 8 (from memory) from throwing it off the road in Malaysia but those 8 points would see us with 1 point ball game with 1 race to play. Throw in a truly awful performance at Silverstone and you have the makings of a championship lost.

I have the feeling that even a 2006 vintage Schumi would have put Hamilton away this year. The F2008 is the better car and Schumi would have put it to great use. Even if you account for the mechanical troubles Ferrari have had I still think Schumi's leadership and ability to extract every point that the F2008 has in it would have seen the WDC over with 2 races to spare.

Not that Hamilton doesn't deserve the title. He's a truly gifted driver and is thoroughly deserving of his impending title but as a Ferrari fan this season has made me appreciate how much Michael Schumacher brought to the table every other Sunday.

If his old team, on the wall and in the pits and back at the factory, all and complete were running the show, instead of drivng down the pit lane with your hose flopping around, I think that the battle for the WDC might well be between Massa and Kimi

The same for last year.

Add in MS, and there is no question.

BUT MS only added into this year's team as it is currently made up? The result would still be......

[Quaganoca]

Ramming Sutil was a freak incident IMO. The car squirreled under breaking and I doubt that there was intent.

As for Schumi he would have done well but I'm not sure he'd have wrapped the title up like some think. When Hamilton has won the McLaren has usually been fairly dominant. The other question that you have to ask is how well Schumi would operate without Ross Brawn? I know that MS was an amzingly clever driver but without a decent crew chief he won't fulfil potential.

Also with Schumi in for Kimi then Lewis wouldn't have hit anyone at Canada

[MwhwF6bp]

I have the feeling that even a 2006 vintage Schumi would have put Hamilton away this year.

Don't forget about Monaco 2006. When push comes to shove Schumi will resort to some malicious tactic though I think at the very least it would've been Mansell vs. Senna all over again playing chicken into a corner to see who would lift and concede.

[overavantstandard]

Hindsight is a beautiful things!

[dr-eavealer]

James Allen alluded to something on the weekend that has been nagging at me since about the half-way point of the season. And that is what could Michael Schumacher do with a car as good as the F2008?

Allen suggested that some where saying that the only reason Hamilton is even in the title hunt is because the Ferrari drivers have singularly failed to deliver the goods. I think there's some truth to this theory.

.

Let me get this straight:You listen to James Allen?

[SobiquYo]

James Allen alluded to something on the weekend that has been nagging at me since about the half-way point of the season. And that is what could Michael Schumacher do with a car as good as the F2008?

Allen suggested that some where saying that the only reason Hamilton is even in the title hunt is because the Ferrari drivers have singularly failed to deliver the goods. I think there's some truth to this theory.

We all know how crappy a season Raikkonen's had. He's lost 16 points that I can think of through chucking the car at the scenery or another car. Spa - lost 8 points spinning out of 2nd. Singapore - lost 4 points running by hitting the wall while running 5th and Monaco - lost 4 points by ramming Sutil while running 5th. Can anybody see Schumi doing that? Those points would have clinched the WCC already and seen him still in contention for the WDC.

Massa hasn't lost as many points, just 8 (from memory) from throwing it off the road in Malaysia but those 8 points would see us with 1 point ball game with 1 race to play. Throw in a truly awful performance at Silverstone and you have the makings of a championship lost.

I have the feeling that even a 2006 vintage Schumi would have put Hamilton away this year. The F2008 is the better car and Schumi would have put it to great use. Even if you account for the mechanical troubles Ferrari have had I still think Schumi's leadership and ability to extract every point that the F2008 has in it would have seen the WDC over with 2 races to spare.

Not that Hamilton doesn't deserve the title. He's a truly gifted driver and is thoroughly deserving of his impending title but as a Ferrari fan this season has made me appreciate how much Michael Schumacher brought to the table every other Sunday.

I was thinking that Alonso of 2006 vintage could also win the championship in this years F2008. Both MS and FA were pretty flawless that year.

[Andrius]

Hindsight is a beautiful things!

It's not really hindsight, though I guess it has played a part. It's more a feeling of frustration at Raikkonen in particular for a litany of errors and lacklustre performances that brought to the fore just how much Ferrari were spolied by Schumacher's talent, leadership and committment.

Let me get this straight:You listen to James Allen?

I try not to!

His comment that "some" in the pitlane felt the Ferrari drivers weren't getting the best out of the car just echoed my own feelings. I doubt Allen personally feels that way due to his man-crush on Hamilton.

I was thinking that Alonso of 2006 vintage could also win the championship in this years F2008. Both MS and FA were pretty flawless that year.

Yeah, I hadn't considered Alonso but his driving this year has been very good, even when the Renault sucked at the start of the year. I'm sure Hamilton is grateful that he hasn't had to fight Alonso in a Ferrari this year. Then again, considering Hamilton's, shall we say "confidence", maybe not.

[Qzmsdoem]

Every time they show Schumacher at races, he always looks so eager to be in the field.

I throw this question out there: If just for a year would you sign him, keeping in mind he'll be 40 this January?

[dr-eavealer]

I try not to!

His comment that "some" in the pitlane felt the Ferrari drivers weren't getting the best out of the car just echoed my own feelings. I doubt Allen personally feels that way due to his man-crush on Hamilton.
.

Before the last two races, word was that the Ferrari's tyres did not perform that well when the temperatures were not high. Under the circumstances, I don't think it fair for James Allen to opine that "some in pitlane felt the Ferrari drivers weren't getting the best out of the cars", whatever that means.
I have more faith in what Martin says as he not only knows from personal experience, he keeps in touch with developments in F1.

I have always felt that James Allen's job is to make a lot of noise with his commentary so that there wouldn't be stunned silence from the commentary box. That means he has to make up stories as the race progresses just to give Martin a break and/or to catch his breath. I think James Allen's "Xylophone effect explanation" when cars come closer together on the slower corners is exactly what I mean. Fortunately, Martin corrected that was the "concertina effect".

I think the Ferrari drivers were trying as hard as possible in the past two races but were just not up to winning the two races. Now the belief is that Ferrari and especially Massa goes extremely well as history as shown in Brazil. Well, if the Ferraris are both faster than Lewis, then he should just follow them home and not resort to something stupid.

[zoneouddy]

I knew this was going to be the general feeling between Schumacher fans and was going to get brought up some time, because of course they miss their hero.

But people seem to forget the single most important factor, and that is that the Ferrari 248F1 was the fastest car in 2006, maybe not at the start of the season, but definitely for the rest of 2006.

It's not as if Schumacher was flawless, he made mistakes, a couple, or maybe even blatant unethical tactics. Don't ever forget Monaco. Massa was beginning to gain confidence and beat him on occassions. Ferrari lost both the drivers and constructors title even after Alonso's two retirements in Shanghai and Monza and Fisichella's disappointing year.

Don't base all your assumptions based on 2004, because that was a tremendous dream year for Ferrari. Do not also forget that they had the supreme F2004, the best car that year by a country mile. Also, that was a team of Schumacher, Todt and Brawn. Two of whom are absent now.

Also, Ferrari tactical crew headed by Domenicali have made stupid errors after stupid errors. And if you really think the F2008 is such a supreme car as you say, then Hamilton's 5 victories this season must be magical! So, in a way are you implying that Hamilton is the best driver on the planet right now?

Todt and Kimi won the 2007 championship, after Ferrari failed to do so in 2006, and that too without the technical genius of Ross Brawn in 2007. ALSO, more importantly, the F2007 wasn't clearly the faster car. The Mclaren shared that in many races where they had a clear advantage, i.e. Monaco and Monza.

So, I don't get what the problem is. Everyone has a bad year.

[LasTins]

In my opinion Michael would have won the championship if he was still competing and if -and it is a big IF - he was still fit for such challenge. I mean, he is not getting any younger. But Michael in his prime would have been champion, I am sure.

[dr-eavealer]

In my opinion Michael would have won the championship if he was still competing and if -and it is a big IF - he was still fit for such challenge. I mean, he is not getting any younger. But Michael in his prime would have been champion, I am sure.

So was Wayne Carey!!

[posimoka]

James Allen alluded to something on the weekend that has been nagging at me since about the half-way point of the season. And that is what could Michael Schumacher do with a car as good as the F2008?

I'm sure MS's ego may get a little boost from those who think he woud have won the title for Ferrari this year, and James Allen's books about him may sell a few more copies as well

[treawittelf]

Only accident like last year can refrain McLaren from this year's win. They should have been heading for the second titles this year if only they can manage the drivers convinced to get trough one of them to the title. This year Mclaren only focussed only on a driver, this worthy meaning of full support from team will suffice accompanying Hamilton in just a step forward for the title.

Sounds ironic that their car is not the fastest one among those competing in the grid. This would be repetition of Renault victory two seasons backwards. The essence is without impugning the convincing titles Schummi gifted to the team, considering he was a driver with such broadest talent, he still has possibility to being superior, but todays competition is apparently harder, is not as easy as used to be, holier than thou...

[Emedgella]

I throw this question out there: If just for a year would you sign him, keeping in mind he'll be 40 this January?

Yes, even at 39 he is probably fitter than most drivers out there, he does seem to be carrying more muscle bulk though compared to when he was racing.

[Cnbaapuy]

I can only imagine the bashing fest around here if MS was back. He's not even driving and people are already bashing him, just look at this thread.

[MwhwF6bp]

I knew this was going to be the general feeling between Schumacher fans and was going to get brought up some time, because of course they miss their hero.

But people seem to forget the single most important factor, and that is that the Ferrari 248F1 was the fastest car in 2006, maybe not at the start of the season, but definitely for the rest of 2006.

It's not as if Schumacher was flawless, he made mistakes, a couple, or maybe even blatant unethical tactics. Don't ever forget Monaco. Massa was beginning to gain confidence and beat him on occassions. Ferrari lost both the drivers and constructors title even after Alonso's two retirements in Shanghai and Monza and Fisichella's disappointing year.

Don't base all your assumptions based on 2004, because that was a tremendous dream year for Ferrari. Do not also forget that they had the supreme F2004, the best car that year by a country mile. Also, that was a team of Schumacher, Todt and Brawn. Two of whom are absent now.

Also, Ferrari tactical crew headed by Domenicali have made stupid errors after stupid errors. And if you really think the F2008 is such a supreme car as you say, then Hamilton's 5 victories this season must be magical! So, in a way are you implying that Hamilton is the best driver on the planet right now?

Todt and Kimi won the 2007 championship, after Ferrari failed to do so in 2006, and that too without the technical genius of Ross Brawn in 2007. ALSO, more importantly, the F2007 wasn't clearly the faster car. The Mclaren shared that in many races where they had a clear advantage, i.e. Monaco and Monza.

So, I don't get what the problem is. Everyone has a bad year.

[Pelefaifs]

Let me get this straight:You listen to James Allen?

Lol

[DrCeshing]

on the 'normal' races like Sepang, Bahrain, Barcelona, France etc. Michael would not have got more points, maybe even less.. BUT, on races like Australia, Canada, Silverstone, Belgium and Monza he would've got far more points than Kimi and Felipe has done..