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Darren Heath's blog on Michael Schumacher post-Singapore 2012 [split]


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#51 robefc

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Posted 26 September 2012 - 21:48

PS: Does anyone know if Ron Dennis is speaking to him yet?


huh?

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#52 Les

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Posted 26 September 2012 - 21:48

Okay, you have a point. And you made it fairly, concisely and in a balanced manner. I don't think anyone has a problem with that. Do I agree with you think he's embarrassing himself? No but I'm sure we could sit down the pub together and discuss it.

The difference with that article is it's in no way balanced, has an agenda and is the worst kind of trolling, indeed unlike you and I down the pub having a nice chat and debating I'm sure this guy would get a punch in the face if he acted the way he writes.


I agree with you actually about the article anyway! It wasn't balanced. Its stupid to try and bring his talent into question and I think its a lot more complex than simply saying either a) Schumacher is crap because he's past it and he cheated in his first career or b) He's the greatest as he's won more races/championships than anyone else. However I agree there are murky areas that can't be ignored either when looking at a balanced picture of him. Anyway whatever the case Heath has certainly succeeded in getting more hits to his site whatever you think of it!

#53 CSF

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Posted 26 September 2012 - 21:49

huh?



Darren is the photographer who stuck his camera into DC's car at the Luxembourg GP of 97 and found McLaren's trick brake pedal. Dennis was pretty damn angry.

#54 robefc

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Posted 26 September 2012 - 21:51

Darren is the photographer who stuck his camera into DC's car at the Luxembourg GP of 97 and found McLaren's trick brake pedal. Dennis was pretty damn angry.


Ah! Thanks

I find Darren's blog and tweets suprising given how he appeared in person (I had about a 20 mins chat with him at an exhbition of his photos, seemed like a really good guy).

Buxton loved his blog btw.

#55 CSF

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Posted 26 September 2012 - 21:54

Ah! Thanks

I find Darren's blog and tweets suprising given how he appeared in person (I had about a 20 mins chat with him at an exhbition of his photos, seemed like a really good guy).

Buxton loved his blog btw.



No problem. Was a great investigation from him and another guy at F1 Racing. Pity they don't tend to do that now...

Buxton's blog from the previous day was weird too. Not so much on Michael, but dismissing Perez to McLaren because of the Telemex link, and being surprised and confused when someone informed him of the Vodafone pull out and Telemex coming to McLaren. :lol: For someone supposedly on the ball, he was rather off pace with that one.

#56 halifaxf1fan

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Posted 26 September 2012 - 21:57

again 90% of his achievements did not happen because he cheated. Yes he tried to take JV out in 97 he paid the price. Same in Monaco in 06. Australia 94. Was Damons own fault in my opinon and people will argue about that until the end of time. Even if you exclude 94. That is still 6 world championships which he won fair and square.



He was hardly punished at all for Jerez 97! He never even missed a single event where at least a two season ban would have been reasonable.

#57 UPRC

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Posted 26 September 2012 - 21:57

Nothing more than an antagonistic personal attack on Michael.

Darren should shut his mouth and let his photographs do his talking for him instead. :down:

#58 Fondmetal

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Posted 26 September 2012 - 22:00

ha ha I am a british and Schumacher is my favorite of all time. I aimed my previous comment at the British media, because its true.


This jackass is clearly anti Schumacher and should stick to taking pictures rather than turning to into a Journalist. Darren if you read this, your a nobody, your opinions mean nothing, so keep your rubbish thoughts about one of the greatest drivers in the history of F1 to yourself and show respect for his past achievments rather than trying to rubbish them.

As for Schumachers escapades, its nothing new and is nothing to do with his age.. probably just frustration creeping in with the **** box of a Merc F1 car he has had these past few seasons...

Crash with Senna
http://www.youtube.c...feature=related

Getting a bollocking from Senna
http://www.youtube.c...c...EugcNM&NR=1

Remember this?


#59 MrPodium

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Posted 26 September 2012 - 22:13

He was hardly punished at all for Jerez 97! He never even missed a single event where at least a two season ban would have been reasonable.


Agreed. He was only stripped of his WDC points, but allowed to keep his wins on record.

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#60 Dolph

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Posted 26 September 2012 - 22:43

The problem I have with the article is it's easy to be jumping on the bandwagon after an awful race with a silly mistake, had he written it after say Belgium it would have come across as a little bit more respectful and dare I say less "personally directed".

However, it is written by someone who frankly if he were to put the same thing down here would be sanctioned for trolling, he has a known history of dislike for Schumacher and it's clear that like some other unfortunate journalists & posters he merely waits for a "down weekend" to jump in and cast aspersions against all aspects of Schumachers career. The agenda is obvious unfortunately and that detracts from what could have been a solid piece of writing. There is no need to bring up anything from 91-06, deal with the 3 year return, and yes, 2010 he got slapped silly, sometimes in 2011 he showed good signs and in 2012 the general consensus has been he's been up to & maybe better on more occasions than his reasonably highly rated team-mate.

In fact, it's been mentioned here that this season despite NR winning his 1st race, his stock is significantly lower because he's only on a par with a 43yr old relic!

Maybe I should go back and check his blog for entries about Canada 2008 - god knows what he'd have made of that race and the driving errors by 2 drivers both much younger than MS is.

Poorly directed, poorly timed and woefully personal imo. Could do much better would be my report card for him.


I have to agree with everything you say 100% here.

#61 Dolph

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Posted 26 September 2012 - 22:50

It's curious how much people who have a history of not having favourable views of Schumacher seem to worry about his 'legacy' and career statistics.


Funny thing, isn't it. It's just their way peddling the "Schumacher is not a legend" crap. Sort of like "he was a legend but since he has had three crap years he is Sato now and can be considered as the 90th best F1 driver ever"

#62 mjc*

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Posted 26 September 2012 - 22:56

Great photographer & blessed with an amazing eye for capturing all that is great about F1 with neutrality and impartiality....

.....followed by the exact equal and polar opposite as a journalist........shame..

#63 swerved

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Posted 26 September 2012 - 23:01

The problem I have with the article is it's easy to be jumping on the bandwagon after an awful race with a silly mistake, had he written it after say Belgium it would have come across as a little bit more respectful and dare I say less "personally directed".

However, it is written by someone who frankly if he were to put the same thing down here would be sanctioned for trolling, he has a known history of dislike for Schumacher and it's clear that like some other unfortunate journalists & posters he merely waits for a "down weekend" to jump in and cast aspersions against all aspects of Schumachers career. The agenda is obvious unfortunately and that detracts from what could have been a solid piece of writing. There is no need to bring up anything from 91-06, deal with the 3 year return, and yes, 2010 he got slapped silly, sometimes in 2011 he showed good signs and in 2012 the general consensus has been he's been up to & maybe better on more occasions than his reasonably highly rated team-mate.

In fact, it's been mentioned here that this season despite NR winning his 1st race, his stock is significantly lower because he's only on a par with a 43yr old relic!

Maybe I should go back and check his blog for entries about Canada 2008 - god knows what he'd have made of that race and the driving errors by 2 drivers both much younger than MS is.

Poorly directed, poorly timed and woefully personal imo. Could do much better would be my report card for him.

PS: Does anyone know if Ron Dennis is speaking to him yet?



I disagree with the bit i've bolded, the reason being that, as can be seen even in this relatively short thread, whenever he gets criticised people pundits journo's etc almost always respond with something like "But he's won the WDC 7 times", which of course he has, and its that history that people use to help justify his greatness, but there are less great actions/periods in his history, and they shouldn't be ignored.

Though my own report card for him would read the same as yours, I just think Heath is using his blog to gain recognition/notoriety, other people have been similarly harsh, but have managed to convey that without it sounding personal.


#64 sharo

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Posted 26 September 2012 - 23:51

Isn't this the same man who decodes engine maps by simply listening to a car's noise?

#65 Watkins74

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Posted 26 September 2012 - 23:53

I don't disagree with Darren's blog one bit. Schumacher is washed up in his second career.... Known for being a hack with the illegal benneton and also the fast and fancy red car whose team mate pulled over for him in the first career.... True again LOL.


F1 was a sham in the early 2000's, the turning point to something exciting I think was 2005 thanks to Alonso and Kimi. Since then the racing has been off the hook. Then 2007 happened and now f1 is
:eek: :eek: :eek:

:up: Damn straight...Vettel's first race and a legend was born. Nobody has more poles, wins and WDC's since then!

#66 MarcelBrDirani

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Posted 26 September 2012 - 23:57

Perhaps because people fundamentally dislike cheaters and poor sportsmanship, and don't like to see the undeserving accepting accolades they have not earned?



:up: :up: :up: :up:

#67 Rubens Hakkamacher

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Posted 27 September 2012 - 00:43

Isn't this the same man who decodes engine maps by simply listening to a car's noise?


He wasn't the only person that has noticed the Red Bulls have an odd sound occasionally.

On the other hand, I've lost some respect for who I think is the greatest F1 photographer bar none. *He's* blinkered, you don't "stumble" your way onto a podium and pole position, and as far as I'm concerned the Vergne accident was a racing incident.

I think if the tires were more consistent and durable he'd be on top. This whole "the best driver can manage whatever kind of random acting tyres he is given" mantra is bs.



#68 halifaxf1fan

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Posted 27 September 2012 - 00:46

Agreed. He was only stripped of his WDC points, but allowed to keep his wins on record.


Considering that Flavio and Symonds each were banned three years for Singapore 08, Schumacher should have gotten a multiseason suspension (plus it was a repeat offense after Aus 94).

Edited by halifaxf1fan, 27 September 2012 - 00:47.


#69 MikeTekRacing

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Posted 27 September 2012 - 01:22

in 1994 there was no offence or probably you know better
do you know the result of any investigation that proves that offence?

#70 Craven Morehead

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Posted 27 September 2012 - 01:24

Great photographer & blessed with an amazing eye for capturing all that is great about F1 with neutrality and impartiality....

.....followed by the exact equal and polar opposite as a journalist........shame..


:up: :up:

#71 Raelene

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Posted 27 September 2012 - 02:28

Considering that Flavio and Symonds each were banned three years for Singapore 08, Schumacher should have gotten a multiseason suspension (plus it was a repeat offense after Aus 94).

Drivers weren't banned though...

#72 halifaxf1fan

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Posted 27 September 2012 - 02:55

Drivers weren't banned though...



This is true but with Piquet already out of F1 - there was no driver to ban.  ;)

Edited by halifaxf1fan, 27 September 2012 - 03:11.


#73 Raelene

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Posted 27 September 2012 - 03:00

still could have banned his FIA licence..

anyway - I think you got the point I was making :)


#74 lbennie

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Posted 27 September 2012 - 03:06

is this that clown that kept flogging the red bull flexi wing horse long after it was dead?

#75 bourbon

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Posted 27 September 2012 - 03:32

In 50 years, no one will remember Damon tho or Heath. But Michael will be the standard - or among the standards if others match/beat his records.

Edited by bourbon, 27 September 2012 - 03:33.


#76 Tardis40

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Posted 27 September 2012 - 03:33

It's a waste of space and my time to call him a complete idiot.


#77 teejay

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Posted 27 September 2012 - 04:49

Its fair to say MS v2 hasnt been anywhere near as good as MS v1.

Regardless, the article is pretty low. Especially for someone who isnt a journalist - stick to the pics, which you are brilliant at.

#78 seahawk

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Posted 27 September 2012 - 04:59

Good article. Nice to see than when somebody tells the truth.

#79 ClubmanGT

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Posted 27 September 2012 - 05:15

Agreed. He was only stripped of his WDC points, but allowed to keep his wins on record.


David Coulthard almost killed Alex Wurz at Melbourne and didn't even get so much as a grid penalty. He's now the man who likes to sit there and roar with disapproval every time Schumacher makes a mistake.

It's just sad that people still dribble on about Adelaide though. Never has the British bias of English-speaking F1 media been so obvious. Completely overlooks Hill's impatience, the fact he drove over the inside of the kerb on a line that would never make it through the corner even if Schumacher wasn't there, the fact he was behind, the fact he effectively took Schumacher out were it not for Schumacher's damage, etc.

Darren Heath is everything that's wrong with nationalism in sports journalism. Had it been two Italian teams fighting for the title with two foreign drivers, it would go down in history as a Senna vs Prost moment, instead of the one sided pantomime people make it out to be.

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#80 Kingshark

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Posted 27 September 2012 - 05:19

Good article. Nice to see than when somebody tells the truth.

So Schumacher rarely won in a legal car?

Edited by D.M.N., 27 September 2012 - 08:35.
remove "Successful troll. :wave: :up:"


#81 ensign14

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Posted 27 September 2012 - 07:17

As I thought, bitter British trying to undermine Schumacher's epic achievements. Write little men, write! Maybe you can make everyone forget about 7 titles, keep trying!

It doesn't matter how epic Schumacher's achievements are. He will always be known as the dangerous, amoral, cheating **** who twice drove at opponents to win the world title and ushered in an abyssal low in driving standards.

And you don't have to be British to appreciate that. Just intelligent.

#82 Ferrari2183

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Posted 27 September 2012 - 07:40

haha that just seals the deal

Nobody here seems to think 9/11 was an inside job... I share his opinion and unfortunately there will always be that doubt.

His article though is poor. Wasn't it him who said that Alonso would sell his mother for a tenth?

#83 Raelene

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Posted 27 September 2012 - 07:42

David Coulthard almost killed Alex Wurz at Melbourne and didn't even get so much as a grid penalty. He's now the man who likes to sit there and roar with disapproval every time Schumacher makes a mistake.

It's just sad that people still dribble on about Adelaide though. Never has the British bias of English-speaking F1 media been so obvious. Completely overlooks Hill's impatience, the fact he drove over the inside of the kerb on a line that would never make it through the corner even if Schumacher wasn't there, the fact he was behind, the fact he effectively took Schumacher out were it not for Schumacher's damage, etc.

Darren Heath is everything that's wrong with nationalism in sports journalism. Had it been two Italian teams fighting for the title with two foreign drivers, it would go down in history as a Senna vs Prost moment, instead of the one sided pantomime people make it out to be.


Nice to see than when somebody tells the truth ;)

#84 sharo

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Posted 27 September 2012 - 07:48

It doesn't matter how epic Schumacher's achievements are. He will always be known as the dangerous, amoral, cheating **** who twice drove at opponents to win the world title and ushered in an abyssal low in driving standards.

And you don't have to be British to appreciate that. Just intelligent.

Known to whom?
I guess to those who want to have a reason to hate the man. And ... hatred is not an intelligent thing. :wave:

#85 ensign14

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Posted 27 September 2012 - 07:53

Known to whom?
I guess to those who want to have a reason to hate the man. And ... hatred is not an intelligent thing. :wave:

Hatred is the wrong word. Detestation and deprecation are better.

And without having a reason such feelings of course betray a lack of intelligence. But when you DO have a VERY good reason...or, even better, number of reasons...

#86 seahawk

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Posted 27 September 2012 - 07:56

So Schumacher rarely won in a legal car?


DH likes to tell "the truth" or should I say his version of "the truth" on many different subjects. On some topics his truth is quite colorful.

#87 Ashitank

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Posted 27 September 2012 - 07:57

I don't disagree with Darren's blog one bit. Schumacher is washed up in his second career.... Known for being a hack with the illegal benneton and also the fast and fancy red car whose team mate pulled over for him in the first career.... True again LOL.


F1 was a sham in the early 2000's, the turning point to something exciting I think was 2005 thanks to Alonso and Kimi. Since then the racing has been off the hook. Then 2007 happened and now f1 is :eek: :eek: :eek:


Nailed it for me :up:

#88 FenderJaguar

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Posted 27 September 2012 - 08:12

Darren writes too much venom at the wrong time but it's hard to argue with some of the facts. But the tone isn't right.
If you want to be realistic about Michael Schumacher's legacy he has done some things that has made him look like a coward and a cheat. Definitely. And for some years a WDC in F1 was about sitting in that Ferrari and being nr 1 and the only competition was the nr 2 Ferrari driver who wasn't allowed to win. That is a part of his legacy - true. But another part of his legacy is that there were a lot of seasons where he drove exceptionally well and was above the rest and clearly was the best driver. And it is not illegal in F1 to pull a team together and take as many advantages that you can.

Edited by FenderJaguar, 27 September 2012 - 08:13.


#89 ClubmanGT

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Posted 27 September 2012 - 08:13

Nailed it for me :up:


With the amount of bullshit going on with Red Bull and their near-constant triggering of clarifications, how anyone can suggest this era is any better is beyond me.

#90 aditya-now

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Posted 27 September 2012 - 08:19

Have you guys seen this?

http://www.darrenhea...ow-when-fold-em


Quite a complete listing of Michael's "other side". Still Darren Heath was benign, leaving out a number of further occasions. When we look at Michael's records, a look at these records from the other side must be allowed as well.

Edited by aditya-now, 27 September 2012 - 08:31.


#91 aditya-now

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Posted 27 September 2012 - 08:23

This whole "the best driver can manage whatever kind of random acting tyres he is given" mantra is bs.


:up:

Yes, this season is proof that only the lesser drivers manage to manage their tyres properly and thus duly succeed, while the greatest driver of them all is helpless and clueless with tyres this season.



#92 sharo

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Posted 27 September 2012 - 08:26

Hatred is the wrong word. Detestation and deprecation are better.

And without having a reason such feelings of course betray a lack of intelligence. But when you DO have a VERY good reason...or, even better, number of reasons...

You must be an ideal person.

#93 H2H

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Posted 27 September 2012 - 08:50


He has a thing or two specifically with German drivers which marks him as a bit of a ****. Anyway not worth reading.

#94 GotYoubyTheBalls

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Posted 27 September 2012 - 09:13

What a tool. Im afraid the only thing that should be retiring is Darren Heaths blog writing career. What a hack.

#95 CSF

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Posted 27 September 2012 - 09:46

It doesn't matter how epic Schumacher's achievements are. He will always be known as the dangerous, amoral, cheating **** who twice drove at opponents to win the world title and ushered in an abyssal low in driving standards.

And you don't have to be British to appreciate that. Just intelligent.



You could almost be describing the ultimate F1 hero really. :wave:

#96 Sakae

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Posted 27 September 2012 - 09:53

It doesn't matter how epic Schumacher's achievements are. He will always be known as the dangerous, amoral, cheating **** who twice drove at opponents to win the world title and ushered in an abyssal low in driving standards.

And you don't have to be British to appreciate that. Just intelligent.

What does a post like that says about you?

#97 fed up

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Posted 27 September 2012 - 10:07

It doesn't matter how epic Schumacher's achievements are. He will always be known as the dangerous, amoral, cheating **** who twice drove at opponents to win the world title and ushered in an abyssal low in driving standards.

And you don't have to be British to appreciate that. Just intelligent.


:rotfl:

#98 stuartmasson

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Posted 27 September 2012 - 10:11

Like most here, I thought it was a poor effort and only succeeded in making Darren Heath look like he should retire, rather than Schumacher.

Schumacher has always been an enormously controversial figure in F1, plenty of which is his own fault and plenty of which is just blatant jealousy or racism (especially from the British media).

It is interesting to listen to people like Martin Brundle, Damon Hill or Johnny Herbert discussing Schumacher, because they rarely have a bad word to say about him these days - despite the fact that they each had plenty of run-ins with him on track back in the day. With the fullness of time, they have come to accept his achievements in his 'first career', and appreciate the enormous difficulty of what he is trying to do in his 'second career'. They have all said that there is no way they could do what Schumacher is doing today, and their respect for the guy has increased, not decreased, despite his struggles.

I'd love to see Schumacher in a genuinely competitive car so we have a proper yardstick with which to judge him today. Plenty of other drivers have shown that they lose their edge when they are not in a position to win, but they shine when they finally get the car underneath them which allows them to exploit their talent. When Schumacher finally retires for good, his legacy will still shine more brightly than any of those who enjoy attacking him, and nothing that has happened in the last three seasons should give any reason to change that.

#99 TheWilliamzer

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Posted 27 September 2012 - 10:17

Another jealous guy! I'm no fan of Michael but what the **** that's a sick and hateful way to criticize!

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#100 KavB

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Posted 27 September 2012 - 10:23

What the hell did I just read? If he wrote this last year or the year before, maybe I could agree to an extent but Schumacher has only had two crashes this year. That's not a good thing, but it's hardly Michael destroying race after race..

And he's saying he only has one pole position since his return... Nico only has one pole position as well? Isn't it telling that Michael's highlights, his podium and pole position, came when the car was fairly competitive. Of course he hasn't achieved much outside of that period. If the car isn't good enough, then what can he do.

I hope he stays on for one final year, coinciding with a good car all year round. That should shut some people up.