20 years and counting

Courtesy YouTube Sports
By Spartan202
August 23 2011

Mercedes GP's Michael Schumacher, one of the most talented and decorated drivers in the history of F1 marks his 20th year in the sport this weekend.

One cannot argue that from his debut as a 22yr old kid who had to actually pretend to have driven around Spa Francorchamps to get his first drive in an F1 has come a long way since then. A curriculum which spans 7 world titles, 92 race wins and many podium finishes all reflect an astonishing career for the German driver.

Starting off with a wheel to wheel with the legendary Ayrton Senna all the way up to the controversial battles with Damon Hill and Jacques Villeneuve, the move to Ferrari and the uphill struggle against Mika Hakinnen and his McLaren. Who cannot remember Michael's Ferrari and Mika's McLaren flying on both sides of the poor Ricardo Zonta's BAR back then? An EPIC overtaking move that went straight to the history books. It was one of the last few he had to endure before Michael and his Ferrari team dominated the following 5 years which till today we have only seen a similarity in Vettel and the RedBull team.

Out of retirement and at a virtually "new" team, the Mercedes GP adventure has proved to be tougher than expected. Targets were high for a driver of his caliber and being beaten by his much younger team mate surely doesn't make matters easier. Still, we are witnessing a side of Michael that no one had seen before, a relaxed mature driver which weighs his decisions with calmness. If it's a good thing or not is yet to be seen. To be a top driver one needs ambition, fighting spirit and hunger for victories. It may be difficult to put a target infront of someone that had it all but we do see glitches of that fighting spirit in the champ.

Mercedes GP is a growing team, we have our future in Nico Rosberg, our experience in Michael Schumacher and eventually we will get up there with the big guns. 2010 and 2011 have proven to be challenging more than one could have expected for a team with such big names in it and honestly the results were far from satisfactory. It's a long way to the top and for 2012 Mercedes will be reinforcing the team with an extra 100 staff. A good base and reliabilty, together with fast paced updates should see us fighting with the top three. We have the drivers capable of giving us the results, once we have a decent car we're sure our GP weekends will be much more interesting to watch.

For now let's just look forward for this Sunday hoping our drivers have a good race and who knows? Maybe the "old" Michael might put in a surprising performance to commemorate his 20 year long career ;)

Go MGP!

Spartan202