When Michael Schumacher announced, at the end of 2009, his return to Formula 1 racing with Mercedes after a three-year absence, many people were surprised.
What had the man who won seven drivers’ world championships and smashed almost every record in F1 have to prove? Would he return to his former glory or would he find it too difficult to adapt?
If there is one man who knows something about returning to Formula 1 after leaving for a short period, it is Niki Lauda. The Austrian retired in 1980, having won two championships, and made a comeback two years later, eventually winning his third title with McLaren in 1984 and retiring the next year, after being soundly beaten by his teammate, Alain Prost.
And Lauda made some pretty harsh comments in an interview with Motor Sport magazine regarding Schumi’s decision to continue despite being beaten by Nico Rosberg.
“I have always been a big supporter of Michael’s comeback – because I did it, and I know what it’s all about,” Lauda told Motor Sport. “Last year we understood he needed time to get used to these different cars, plus the handicap of not being able to test and all the rest of it. I felt that this year was the last chance for the comeback to happen properly if it was going to – and this year is the same as last…”
Schumacher’s manager Sabine Kehm reacted with a response to German newspaper Bild.
“He is full of passion for the project and regards it as an exciting challenge to build something big together with Mercedes,” Kehm told Bild. “That it is sometimes tough only encourages him more. Someone who will soon celebrate their 20th anniversary in Formula One knows that perseverance is what makes the difference.”
However, Lauda believes Schumacher should reconsider.
“I think every sportsman, if he wants to perform as Schumacher did in the past, has to be honest with himself” said Lauda. “He has kept saying that he needs more time, blah, blah, blah, and he presents himself as the relaxed guy who’s enjoying it. But inside he’s not relaxed at all, because no top racing driver enjoys being beaten. If he did, then Mercedes should tell him to retire”.
“You don’t do F1 for fun. When you want to go quicker, you try everything –and if you still don’t make it, that’s it. I’m sure he’s still trying, but one day he will realize he can’t make it and take a decision”.
