Two days before Christmas 2009, one of the most sensational comebacks became official: Michael Schumacher, the most successful F1 driver of all times, signed a three-year deal with Mercedes, to run in the team that swept away the competition and secured both 2009 titles.
Media all over the world, having become accustomed, in recent times, to any sort of news coming from the F1 circus, went into the usual frenzy (that's what they are for, isn't it?). Everybody wanted to have a say - drivers, team managers, supporters, sacked Mercedes employees, and so on. I'm no exception, but if you were somewhat plagiarized by all this, here are 5 good reasons to calm down:
1) Life doesn't necessarily start at 41. True, he spent the last 3 years racing here and there (and even broke his neck!) and kept fit, but he could also be Lewis Hamilton's father. Er... well, maybe his wife Corinna wouldn't be so glad to find that out.
2) He tried to return last summer and couldn't. He officially didn't because of his broken neck, but it could also be that he isn't as fast as he used to. Or maybe because he saw Ferrari F1-2009's cockpit and felt sorry for whoever was going to replace Felipe Massa (not that anyone could ever be sorry for Luca Badoer, but Giancarlo Fisichella's poor results were truly disappointing for such a nice and skilled bloke).
3) Double diffusers aren't all the hype now. Brawn GP (the team Mercedes purchased and rechristened in November) did actually sweep away the competition in the first half of the 2009 season, but barely managed to capitalize on that during the second half - and they had the most powerful engine available. Sure, Ross Brawn is a remarkable team manager (And A Real Genius, IMHO!), but his cars weren't the fastest, nor the most reliable, at season's end.
4) He's not exactly welcome. No matter what the other drivers officially say, a back-from-retirement driver who's won more than any other driver ever, and more than all other active drivers put together, is so huge that everybody else feels dwarfed. Except Alonso, who actually defeated Michael Schumacher in 2005 and 2006, and Lewis Hamilton, who never raced against him (as per reason #1, Lewis, beware: this might trigger your Oedipus complex).
5) He didn't betray you. If you're a Ferrari fan, you might feel upset by his departure. Let's put this thing straight: you have no right whatsoever. Michael Schumacher was a Mercedes man before Luca di Montezemolo and Gianni Agnelli poured millions on him. When such figures fly, loyalty is an option.
Till March 12, Michael Schumacher is a question mark. We're still over two months away - anxiety would be a complete waste of brain cells.
Saturday 9 January 2010
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