58 replies to this topic

[SpaRCo]

During 1990 or 1991
"He drove very fast, on these snowy roads, with only the wheel ruts to drive in. I was nervous, very nervous, because we were going so fast. I mean we were driving at very high speeds indeed and I felt quite frightened. We were going faster than I felt was safe. When we got to the clinic, we went in for our check-ups and we had our pulses tested. They took my pulse and it was 100 or 120 or something and they said 'Hey, are you all right, and what have you been doing?' and I said I had been a little excited, but I would be better soon. I suggested they took Michael's pulse to see what I meant after the drive we had just had and when they took his pulse it was normal. I mean it was only 60 or 70 or something. It was just incredible." - Heinz-Harald Frentzen, travelling with Michael to have a physical.
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Late 1991/early 1992
"When he started in Formula 1, he reminded me in many ways of Ayrton Senna. He is the same type of person, has similar characteristics, and the same ability to impose his will. When he gets over the learning period, he will certainly belong to the highest level in Formula 1" - Bernie Ecclestone
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Adelaide 1991
"At 22, he is already the best prospect from his country in a generation, one of those rare young drivers instantly at home in Formula One, neither over-awed nor over-confident. The Australian Grand Prix will be only the sixth of his life, yet already he feels free - and able - to sit it out into a corner with the likes of Senna and Mansell." - Nigel Roebuck.
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End of 1992
"Michael seems to be able to extract time out of various set-ups. When you have a driver like that, it is sometimes a little more difficult to find the optimum. He can drive round a problem, but what we have to find is the set-up which is best for the race. Michael, because of his ability, will not have a problem if a car oversteers a lot - even in the fast corners." - Ross Brawn
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Spa 1993
"Herbert was third early on in his Lotus but he would be bounced back when the Senna and Schumacher Show came on after 20 minutes, but they were nowhere near the pace, although there was barely a lift between them through Eau Rouge." - Joe Saward
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Start of 1994 season
"Equally beyond doubt though, is that Schumacher has a degree of talent seen only once or twice in a generation." - Nigel Roebuck
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End of 1994 season
"Most drivers perform well for 90-95 percent of the time. But occasionally they have the odd day during testing where you wonder what's happening and you end up making no progress at all. But Michael is amazing. You never question anything in terms of driver performance. If the car is going slower, it is because you have done something to make it slower, and not because he is having a bad day." - Ross Brawn
"He adapts his style to try various things. You cannot pigeonhole his style because I've seen him do them all. Look at the way he uses a throttle. There was a marked difference between Prost and Mansell in that Prost never jumped on the throttle like Nigel, but I've seen Schumacher do it both ways, depending on the circumstances. He will, if necessary, go back to his go-kart techniques. But he won't do so if he upsets the car too much." - Frank Dernie


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Between Magny-Cours and Silverstone 1995
"Without being unfair to Damon or Benetton - because he is a fine and outstanding driver and Benetton are a very good team - I think Schumacher makes Benetton look very good, just as Ayrton Senna made McLaren look very good. He is a consumate racer, who also helps the team to make very good decisions." - Patrick Head
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During the off-season 1995-6
"He works hard and, like all the greats - Senna, Prost Lauda whoever - he's not only fast, he's also extremely intelligent. But the biggest benefit he has is his speed, his ability, his confidence, and his physical fitness, which allows him to use that speed every lap. He can drive 100 percent flat out all day every day, and that's why even with a slower car sometimes, he's won races." - Martin Brundle
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Before Melbourne 1996
"I have to say that his driving style is very different to what we are used to. Of course, if he is happy to drive it like that, we are happy to set it up like that. But from what I understand of his driving style, it would require a lot of concentration from the driver to maintain that fine balance."
"The main difference which we have seen is his way of balancing the car on the throttle...and that requires concentration. Picking up and getting on the throttle so early in the corner is something you don't often see."
"For me, the Benetton situation (in beating Williams) was a clear illustration of driver superiority." - John Barnard
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Argentina 1996
"It was very exciting, wasn't it? Reminded me of rallying..." - Patrick Head, on Michael's practice & qualifying efforts
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Monaco 1996
"Michael accepts errors from others, but not from himself." - Jean Todt
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Barcelona 1996
"Watching the Ferrari, I don't think the car was that brilliant. It looked like it was on ice. The guy is just something else. Four seconds a lap quicker than we were." - James Robinson, Williams engineer
"It was not a race. It was a demonstration of brilliance. The man is in a class of his own; there's no one in the world anywhere near him." - Stirling Moss


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Mid-season 1996
"He never lets up either. If he's not testing, he's training, or driving a kart. He's a sad case. I don't know what's wrong with him. Maybe he was an ugly kid, nobody would talk to him and he's getting his own back. There's definitely something wrong!" - Eddie Irvine on his team-mate...in jest (we hope!)
"It's a bit like having God in the number one car." - A Ferrari mechanic commenting on how some other Ferrari workers see having Michael in the team.

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Between Magny-Cours and Silverstone 1996
"How Michael does these things, I just don't know, because the car is just so wrong it's unreal." - Eddie Irvine
"Sometimes you look at data and think 'that guy couldn't drive sheep.' Another day you look at it, and it happens to be one M Schumacher, and you think it's not possible to go that fast through that corner." - Martin Brundle

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Late in 1996 season
"I really don't think that there has ever been a time when one driver had such an edge over the rest." - Stirling Moss


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Post 1996 season
"You're never sure with the other guys. When he is driving another car, it really needles you, because you're not sure whether the opposition has a better car than yours. Or whether it's him!" - John Barnard
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Monaco 1997
"Because he's in a Ferrari, Schumacher doesn't win all the time

[tifosi]

You will incur 'the wrath of Frans' for this

[Diffuser]

Where is Frans by the way? I havn´t seen him since he wrote on the forum that he was going to bet all his nuts on Verstappen.

[mono-posto]

Thanks for those quotes Sparco.
It is cool to see what people who actually work with and around him have to say.

I'm not a raving fan, but I just wish those that hate him could look past his few judgement errors in the past, and appreciate his driving for what it is.

[Smooth]

SpaRCo... good qoutes, but really... this bulletin board is getting way to pro-schumacher!


Smooth (kidding.... of course!)

[Lantern]

You wouldn't talk much either if YOU had lost your nuts!!

[RedFever]

Although I love Fisichella and Villeneuve, clearly I am glad that SChmacher drives for Ferrari for all the reasons above.

It's is almost hysterical to read these quotes, coming from people that made the history of F1, like Moss, Surtees, Barnard, Patrick Head, triple-WC Jackie Stewart, and compare them with those from our "in-house" experts like HH, Samurai, Bruce, etc. Michael has not always played fair and has not hesitated to lower his talent to imitate the antics of Prost and Senna in an attempt to defend his chances against Villeneuve. I cannot respect him as a person because of that (like I have no respect for Prost and Senna). However, I would have to be blind or stupid for saying that Moss and Stewart have no idea of what they are talking about (2 of the top 10 F1 drivers of all times!!!). Maybe some are.

[This message has been edited by RedFever (edited 05-12-2000).]

[The RedBaron]

Now those are the type quotes I like reading,
from people in the business and in the know.
Contrast those quotes to reading all the dribble that the likes of Samuarai puts on here!!

Thanx SparCo

[RedFever]

RedBaron, when is the last time you saw Samurai, FRANZ or HH win three F1 WCs as a driver or design cars for the most successful team in the past 20 years???? that should answer your question.........

[SpaRCo]

I think all the shuey haters who think hes overrated,blah blah should read what people in the know say,And as redbaron says,I think they have a lot more knowlege about F1 and relative drivers skills than a lot of lamers on this board.

[Mr. Salty]

Wait for it...

[Smooth]

Here are a couple more from Nigel Roebuck, oddly Magnum's favorite.....

....his raw talent is unquestioned, his car control freakish, his ability to think while driving unequalled among his contemporaries.

-------------------------------------------

A few years ago, Michael Schumacher drove me around Silverstone in a road-going Escort Cosworth, and what made the experience memorable was the realisation - yet again - that ordinary mortals have no clue as to what a car can be made to do. I was reasonably familiar with Cosworths, but the day was horribly wet, and at first Michael seemed to be going into corners at an impossible speed.

It was kids' stuff for him, of course; on our last lap he simply showed off, rescuing the car from impossible angles - and doing it all with his right hand, while the left remained on the gear lever. "Did you enjoy that?" he grinned, as we came in. I nodded assent. "Well," he said, "imagine what it's like in F1 cars. When we mean it..."

[RedFever]

great post Smooth. Having been in a car with Arturo Merzario, Andrea deCesaris and Emanuele Pirro on various occassions, I know what he is referring too.......

[Rich]

Interesting. Michael seems to be one of those drivers who makes his passengers nervous by the sensation of speed. I've read that Jackie Stewart makes passengers feel at ease - until they look at the speedometer.

I think Michael is maybe more like Senna in that regard. If you drove with him, you'd be gripping the door handles with white knuckles. With JYS or Prost, by contrast, you'd probably be sitting back relaxing and enjoying the scenery. But again, only as long as you didn't look at the speedometer...

[mono-posto]

Rich,

I prefer the former. What's the fun of an adrenaline rush without the adrenaline?

[RedFever]

Trust me, Andrea DeCesaris was insane. Now imagine going full speed in the traffic if Rome. I thought we would crash at least 10 times the first time I went in a car with him. I have to admit I got used to it after 3-4 times

[Arnaldo]

Who esle would you expect to run around eighth place for much of the race and end up picking up third place, or have monumental foul ups in the pits, leaking tyre, extra pit stop, fight with brother, and still pick up two points. No wonder Mika was unhappy after Silverstone; wouldn't you be if this guy comes from nowhere to end up standing on the podium with you?

[Makarias]

Interesting comparison, Rich. I remember reading an article with some Swedish journalists taking a ride with the Toyota WRC drivers last year. With Sainz, it felt a bit scary because the speed becomes so obvious in rallying, but he could handle it. With Auriol though, it felt pretty much like a near death experience all the time, Auriol taking a much more wild and aggressive line than the tidy and disciplined Sainz. Hard to say which style would be the most efficient; Sainz has two WDC titles to Auriols one.

[selena]

Till today, I have always believed that it is Michael Schumacher who made the Ferrari look good. McLaren is still the better car. Perhaps, Michael would already be five-times world champion if he had driven the McLaren. We will never know.

As I have said in another thread, he did very well in Spain despite all the mishaps.

By the way, thanks for the work done on the compilation of the quotes.
[This message has been edited by selena (edited 05-13-2000).]

[This message has been edited by selena (edited 05-14-2000).]

[MichaelL]

SpaRco,
Forget about our misundertanding earlier on,your post is just great.

[Rogue]

I'm not sure it would be fair to judge a drivers style from a demonstration though, especially when dealing with someone who is likely to toy with you like Schumacher. Schumacher & Senna are/were clearly not overly heavy handed with their cars otherwise they would never have attained the consistency in results that they have, but they do have a particular arrogance or showmanship if you like that would lead them to overplay it a little when giving someone a spin.



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Rogue
f-1@ihug.com.au

[JJP]

Good stuff. It's evident that Michael is truly a great one.

Although I think you should've added there couple of negative quotes (not from this BB, there must be other ones too...) just to be on the fair side.

[Rich]

Agreed Mak, I think both the Senna/MS and Prost/JYS styles are highly effective. All four were/are staggeringly fast and good drivers, they just do it in different ways.

Rogue, I also agree that Senna/MS wouldn't have become multiple champions if breaking cars was their speciality. However, some drivers just seem to have a knack of making machinery last longer. I recall reading a Lotus mechanic's quote about Graham Hill and Jim Clark. When the two were driving together at Lotus, mechanics would often change Hill's brake pads twice in a GP weekend. Clark's only needed replacing every two-three GP's. The guy was freakish in terms of mechanical sympathy.

[This message has been edited by Rich (edited 05-13-2000).]

[tom]

can't half tell SpaRCo's a schuey fan.

--------------------------------

irvine = w@nker

[Yelnats]

SpaRCo, comments like those help us appreciate what massive doses of talent that are required to drive at the very highest level in F1.

Eddie Jordan made some interesting remarks about the man when he was testing him at Spa when Micheal was trying to break into F1. Eddie asked someone if Micheal knew the track and was told that Schumi did. Soon Micheal was lapping as fast as the best F1 drivers and Eddie was very impressed. He was still more impressed when he found that Micheal had never seen the place before and signed him up right away.

I am not a fan of Micheal's racing tactics or personality but I've got to admit the guy is the fastest since Senna and pehaps a while before that!

[Yelnats]

Rich, A good point about Clark's mechanical sypathy and how easy he was on brakes.

Fangio had an answer when asked by another driver how he could go so much faster than him in the same car. His reply was "Less brakes. More gas"

Perhaps that's how Clark did it to.

[Todd]

Some people will say that Clark's stellar stats are the result of the lightening quick Loti(Lotuses?) that he drove, but anyone else's wouldn't have been anything like that impressive without the synergy between Clark's delicate style and Colin Chapman's lithe but fragile cars.

[theMot]

Redfever i am amazed!!! You were in a car with Andrea DeCrasheres and you came out alive!!!! Surely he smashed into something along the way? He must have!!!

[Spring-Heeled Jim]

SpaRCo,

thank you for the refreshing quotes. If anything, they truly serve as a welcome reminder that Michael Schumacher indeed belongs to the select few who no longer should be considered mere mortals. He is up there with Mother Teresa, Pope John Paul II or -dare I say it- that bearded bloke from the Old Testament.

These quotes that make the rest of the current F1 line-up look like drooling idiots have really opened my eyes to the fact that anybody who can, albeit occasionally, step up and snatch a race or two from this fearful opponent, has definitely earned my respect.

Indeed, one Mika Häkkinen who (according to some F1 followers) appears to have the intellect and verbal ability of some lesser primates in the deepest of jungles, must be silently wondering how the hell he ever managed to win the WDC twice in a row when he’s thrown against this supernatural being who should easily sweep the field in a Model T Ford from 1913. It’s clear to me now that MH must be the luckiest sod this side of the equator.

True, Michael Schumacher is a great, great talent but this kind of praise is quite clearly born out of need.

So, hats off to DC, Ralf, Jenson and the rest: you’re up against a veritable demi-god, but just hang in there! Even saints have been known to fall from grace...

Amen.

[MichaelL]

Jim,
Whether you like it or not,that's how highly peoples from the paddock thinks of Schumacher.In fact I had many more similar comments from Sir Frank William,Ron Dennis,Trevor Foster,Gary Anderson ,Eddie Jordan and the likes.Most peoples outside Finland thinks very highly of him.



[This message has been edited by MichaelL (edited 05-15-2000).]

[Spring-Heeled Jim]

I know, Mike, I know. Even I (as I said) think he's a brilliant driver, but such a demonstration of classic quotes without a hint of criticism (Eddie Irvine aside ) was just too provoking...

As for the geography issue, you'd be positively surprised how many people in Finland think highly of him, too.

[boru]

Very interesting. Although I must say that at first reading the title of this Post, I thought it could have been interesting quotes from the man himself, which I would have found very hard to believe that he has said much that is interesting.

[Smooth]

Hey SHJim, why don't you start your own post with all the negative comments directed at M Schumacher, or better yet, all the posititve qoutes about your favorite driver. Sparco dug up some qoutes, all positive, and it was cool. Why should he be compelled to post negative comments? Or better yet, why not dig some up yourself..

[The RedBaron]

He doesn't need to say anything interesting, he's judged for his performances on the track....his racing does his talking.

If you want interesting...I'll send you a copy of Ali G video tape!

[The RedBaron]

Smooth - that would involve work!
Its easier for him to criticise instead- He certainly fits his profile....check it out!

[This message has been edited by The RedBaron (edited 05-15-2000).]

[Spring-Heeled Jim]

[Frans MSH]

Well I have tho think these are HARD to find quotes....

Here are soem easier one's:

After Jerez 1997:
----------------
"Micheal Schumacher, what IDIOT."

After Spa 1998:
_________________
"Schumacher, what idiot."

And from these one's there are many many more....

Schumacher, the loser of the last century, the most overrated driver in history of F1, the man who always was 2nd place! HAha, these are the lines he will go into the history books. He can't stop Mika-McLaren combo at all.

And that's great,

Kind regards,

Frans

[Rogue]

Very true Rich, I remember a number of times watching a race where I was hoping for Prost to pull clear of/catch up to Senna and thinking; "what the hell is he doing cruising around so slowly" just before he sets the fastest lap of the race so far. Definitely the smoothest I've ever seen, though I unfortunately never had the pleasure of watching JYS or Clark.
That said, I think Prost too often sacrificed his ultimate speed for that smoothness, especially where racing Senna in an ultra-reliable car was concerned. Funny thing is, those ultimately successfull in either technique appear to gain roughly equal finishing stats - look at the percentages between Prost, Senna & Schumacher and they're all pretty close on points per race, podiums vs starts, wins etc...

I love both styles.

Regards,



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Rogue
f-1@ihug.com.au

[RedFever]

TheMot, yes, one of my friends when I was in my early 20s was the cousin of Emanuele Pirro (remember? drove for Bennetton in F1). We went out several times and Emanuele then introduced us to Andrea. Andrea actually was (contrary to his reputation) one of the most talented drivers I have ever seen. In F2 he was fantastic, in F1 he had horrible cars and always had to push himself too much, therefore crashing often. But if you had the luck of watching him live (like at the old Tosa in Imola), before carbon breaks.....there were only 2 drivers capable to break lap after lap well beyond the point where everyone else was breaking: Gilles Villeneuve and...yes, Andrea DeCesaris. Of course poor Andrea would then lose on a straight what he could make up in killer braking and sideways turns. If he was given early in his career not a fantastic car, just a decent one (say like a Jordan of today), he would be in the annuals as a multiple GP winner. Too bad that day he was dominating the race, his engine let go. He would have deserved it for his talent. And he was the nicest guy. Pascal here on this BB has also met him and he also found him a lovable chap.

I went out with him many times, he was crazy and drove insanely. But after a few times, I got used to it. And no, we never crashed, it was magic what he could do even with a road car. However, it's not a good idea to go to clubs with a (then) young F1 driver. While you find yourself surrounded by many beautiful goodlooking women in less than 30 minutes, they all wanted to go with him. You are better off alone!!!!!!

[RedFever]

Strange how none of the hardcore anti-schumis (other than some lunacy from Frans) showed up here.....difficult to argue with Stewart and the likes, I guess.........

[Todd]

RedFever,

The only retort from the anti-crowd was Hater's un-attributed quotations of some hypothetical non-English speaker. That pretty much shows the strength of their position, not to mention Hater's mind.

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Forza Michael Schumacher,
Todd

[Sulla]

Alright...Here you go

German Michael Schumacher won the 1997 Japanese Formula One Grand Prix today, thanks to his Ferrari team-mate, Eddie Irvine of Ireland, but no thanks to his old adversary, Damon Hill. Heinz-Harald Frentzen of Germany was second in his Williams-Renault, and Irvine third.

-1997 Suzuka Race Review

The Frenchman, speaking on Italian radio, then singled out Schumacher's Irish teammate for special praise.
"A tribute has to go to Irvine," Todt explained, "because if we're in this situation now, it's thanks to him and the fantastic race he drove at Suzuka."
Irvine guided Schumacher into first place in Japan, sacrificing his race lead to put the German in line for his third world title.

-1997 Suzuka Comments

The assertion made by Michael immediately after the race was that it was a racing accident, no more, no less, but the press and the World in general did not agree. What should have been an epic battle settled by a superb overtaking move was turned into a farce by the man who had said that he feared the same from his rival in Suzuka. Quite rightly, Schumacher has been called before the FIA council to account for his behaviour and it will be a travesty if he only gets fined for this "accident". All of this brought back memories of the final race of 1994 and Damon Hill appeared to agree, retiring in sympathy with a broken gearbox on the same lap as his arch rival.

-1997 Jerez Race Review

The 1997 title deciding race was a thriller right up to the time when, once again, Schumacher suddenly saw what was "rightfully his" being taken away, in a move that was as crude as it was stupid, he swerved his car into the overtaking Williams in a desperate attempt to frustrate the pass.
Michael Schumacher lost more than the World Championship with that action.

-1997 Jerez Race Review

Crossing the finish line, Hakkinen waved to the fans on his parade lap and was visibly ecstatic as he left his car in the parc farme and rubbed the Mercedes badge on the nose. Schumacher however looked very down and almost battered. He obviously was not happy with the way his car had been, and of losing such a valuable chance of taking a championship lead into the final race. Coulthard came home in 3rd place, which left Mclaren one point short of the Constructors Championship which would most certainly go their way in the next race.

-1998 Nuerburgring

Schumacher could have won it, but conceded that he had, in reality, lost the championship must earlier in the season.

-1998 Suzuka Commentary

Ferrari failed to capitalise on two races they had no reason to lose. "Basically, we made too many mistakes, which is not normally the case," admitted Irvine. "Our car was quicker than our main competitors and we missed an opportunity." They were too good to go out in Friday's opening practice, but still didn't bother to plan for the eventualities of a changing race. Schumacher's car never worked on its last set of tyres, and the team couldn't figure out why, Michael admitting, "we were clearly not quick enough in the dry."

-1999 France

All Quotes taken from Atlas F1 Race Reviews or MSN

[Rogue]

Hmmm, strong comeback, I'm convinced.



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Rogue
f-1@ihug.com.au

[RedFever]

Sulla, none of the F1 experts before said SChumacher is perfect. Nobody is, Senna made mistakes, Prost made mistakes, Lauda made mistakes. What they are saying is simply that Schumi is better than the rest. Your post doesn't argue against their opinion. You need to post some quotes from 3-times WCs that either say Schumacher is the slowest WC of all times and just a lucky bastard, or you are not changing anything about what the F1 ghota believes about the German.

[Smooth]

Well, Sulla, that was a poor attempt! Other than his lame comments after Jerez, which he made a mess of on SO MANY levels, where is anyone saying anything bad about his talent?


Try again!! -

btw .... here are a couple more from Eddie Irvine's column on http://www.sportlive.net ...

On going to Jaguar:

'Mind you, I haven't worked out how I will beat Michael for as I have also said before, and people doubted my words and motives, he is the number one. He makes the rest of us look ordinary at times.'

'Now it is time to go and I cannot wait to join Jaguar. The timing is fantastic. I was really desperate to get out of Ferrari this season and I am a lucky, lucky guy. I could not have coped with another year because Michael is so damn good - he is a back-breaker. He saps you and the effort of working and competing with him drains you.

I feel for my replacement, Rubens Barrichello, because I don't believe he has any idea what he has let himself in for. I don't know if he will be crushed by Schumacher, but I do know he is in for a really hard time. Michael's rest during recuperation from a broken leg has done him a power of good. Until then, there were a few times when I knew I could get him, but since he has been back he has been on a different planet.'

'It will be tough but I am looking forward to it. Not working for Michael will be a big help for me. Ferrari know I am a good driver ... but they also know Michael is unbelievable.'

'We also lead the constructors' championship and as we head to Monaco, where Michael's ability can shine, there is no reason why we cannot increase that margin.

I have said it before and I say it again now, Michael is an unbelievable driver who makes the rest of us seem ordinary. What happened to David Coulthard on Sunday, what he felt after leading and then losing to Michael, is what I have to put up with at close quarters every week.

The guy is something else. Just when you think you are driving on the limit everywhere Michael comes along, goes out and proves in a couple of laps you had better think again for the limit is further away.

He has an ability that demands respect and admiration and I have sympathy for Coulthard, even though he had the best car and the better strategy. His complaints about back-markers holding him up are justified. It happens all the time, but it is the same for everyone.
I have a very professional relationship with Michael. We don't meet up socially because we tend to laugh at different things. But any doubts about how we get on, just look at the scoreboards. That's all teamwork. I need them, they need me.'





[This message has been edited by Smooth (edited 05-17-2000).]

[BuzzingHornet]

Some good quotes from respected people in F1, but tributes are a poor substitute for the World Championship. Michael needs to win the title this year if he really is that good; tributes mean jack-**** against Mika Hakkinen


[This message has been edited by BuzzingHornet (edited 05-17-2000).]

[130R]

Yeah, Buzz, true, but he's still the quickest man out there -- although there is one or two who are closer than before.

[Smooth]

Agreed, BH, but it is the McLaren/Mika combo that is so lethal. I think last year would have been Michaels first realistic shot at the title. The '96 car was a truck. The '97 car was better, but was outclassed by a mile by the Williams. If Goodyear had their s**t together at the start of the '98 season, the car (and Michael) would have impressed. Last year, on closer to equal terms with the Macs, he probably could have won it. I doubt McLaren, or Mika, would have been so lackadasical had MS been pushing. This year should be close, but unless Ferrari throw it out the window, MS should show.....

I wish we had slicks again, though.... seeing MS and MH really battling would be classic!!!!

[BuzzingHornet]

Smooth, I know its the old argument but its hard to know exactly HOW good MS is because he never drives in a team that isn't bent around him. Ok he's definitely better than any of his teammates to date, but who were they..?

Piquet was finished, Brundle ran him close in races sometimes beating him, Verstappen and Lehto were way out of their depth, Johnny Herbert isn't the quickest thing on the track (any track ), Eddie Irvine is more into shagging than racing, and theres no proof he's any good at that either, and Barrichello has got the top down, shades on and is out for a Sunday cruise.

[RedFever]

that wasn't what people were saying about Rubens last year..........also, Eddie is destroyng Herbert, Schumi was destroyng Eddie, that says something........