Wednesday, February 29, 2012

"Michael Schumacher a different driver" - Riccardo Patrese

Ricardo Patrese (Former Williams driver) thinks that Shumacher is no longer the driver he was in his Ferrari years.

Michael SChumacher
Michael Schumacher - Mercedes GP

Ever since his comeback to Formula in 2010, Michael Schumacher has generally struggled reaching back to the top place. Many experts believe that one of the main reasons for Schumacher's lack of performance is the tough compeition he has had to face with the likes of Vettel, Hamilton, Alonso and Button fighting it out.


However, Ricardo Patrese has something slightly different to say...

"Michael raced against drivers like Senna, Mansell and myself and proved immediately that he could be competitive and better," the Former Italian F1 driver said.

"Now we have drivers like Hamilton and Vettel who look very good but I don't think they are better than Senna, Mansell or the drivers that were around when Michael started in F1, so I think Michael is a little below the level of performance compared to his very best."

"Michael proved himself against the best when he started in Formula One so if he can't match the best today perhaps it is because he does not have the best car, but in the past without the right car he was able to make the difference; now he can't make the difference. If he had the best car now he could still win races, but in the past, even without the best car, he could win."

"Today he is a good driver but he cannot make the same difference as he could in the past from what I have seen at the beginning of this year and last year. You know how much I respect Michael and his talent but from what I have seen this is not the same Michael as before his retirement. I have my doubts about whether this is because of the tyres or the new regulations. Maybe his motorcycle and neck injury has had an effect in some small way. The difference can be very, very small but there seems to be a difference."

Kiki The Cat's Opinion

Schumacher will be fine. Someday. He needs a few more years to settle in. Like 10 more. By the time he'll be 50, we can expect him to challenge Vetel!"

Tuesday, February 28, 2012

Alonso: "We still have work to do"

Fernando Alonso thinks there is a lot of work to be done for Ferrari before the season opener in Australia. 
Fernando Alonso

During the pre-season testing so far, Ferrari has had a tough time and both drivers have struggled to find reasonable pace. It's seems Ferrari's start to the 2012 campaign might have problems.

However, Alonso is optimistic about the car and the chances for the 2012 F1 season.

Ferrari Fernando Alonso
Fernando Alonso - Ferrari

Here's what he had to say...

"We are continuing with development of the new car," the Spaniard is quoted as saying by the official Ferrari website.

"Maybe we are only taking small steps forward, but they are coming constantly: in Barcelona, the F2012 was better than it had been in Jerez and it will be better still this week and even more so in Melbourne.

"There is still a lot of work to do, but as of today, there is no reason why we should not be ready for the first race.


Kiki The Cat's Opinion

"Poor alonso muhaha. He can cry all he wants. Ferrari can never be the same. Schumacher was the best!"