Michael Schumacher to drive Mercedes F1 car at the Nordschleife - Page 2

davyboy · 27 Apr 2013, 13:01 (Ref:3239960)

Quote:

Originally Posted by garcon

He has nothing to lose, and it's only those who didn't like him in the first place that claim his time at Mercedes F1 somehow tarnished his reputation.

Well said ! Do we honestly believe Michael Schumacher gives a flying **** about whether some people think he might 'tarnish his reputation' by doing a demo run in an old F1 car, or a few races in DTM, or in KZ karting ? Whatever he does, be ambassadorial for Merc or behind the wheel of a racing car/kart, it's because he wants to not because he has to.

Quote:

Originally Posted by garcon

As for the millions he has stockpiled away, he spends his money on much more worthwhile stuff than most.

He actually gives enormous amounts of money to charity... he just doesn't broadcast the fact.

Mike E · 27 Apr 2013, 13:20 (Ref:3239968)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Knowlesy

What? I mean it is nice and all, but he wants to get himself over to sportscars or something.

No he doesn't. He is the exact opposite of a team player, and has the morals of a hungry weasel.

**Bononi** · 27 Apr 2013, 13:42 (Ref:3239979)

Quote:

Originally Posted by davyboy

He actually gives enormous amounts of money to charity... he just doesn't broadcast the fact.

So how do you know ?

davyboy · 27 Apr 2013, 14:36 (Ref:3239996)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bononi

So how do you know ?

Because he told me

chillibowl · 27 Apr 2013, 15:29 (Ref:3240000)

i recall he made a massive donation in the aftermath of the Asian Tsunami. something like several million dollars or something.

i think if someone gives that kind of money its not a one off even if there was a personal connection. and then there is his work for the safe driving campaigns and stuff. he seems like a very charitable person imo.

Paradise City · 27 Apr 2013, 15:32 (Ref:3240002)

Like him or lump, he made his reputation during the Benetton and Ferrari eras and noone can take that reputation away from him. People will struggle to remember his Merc stint in the long run.

A bit like Stirling Moss if only in one sense. Noone really remembers his post Goodwood returns and it never had any long term ramifications upon his reputation.

davyboy · 27 Apr 2013, 16:01 (Ref:3240008)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Paradise City

Like him or lump, he made his reputation during the Benetton and Ferrari eras and noone can take that reputation away from him. People will struggle to remember his Merc stint in the long run.

A bit like Stirling Moss if only in one sense. Noone really remembers his post Goodwood returns and it never had any long term ramifications upon his reputation.

Yes, a very good point. I was actually going to cite Stirling Moss as an example too... he had some messy times in touring cars with the Audi campaign as well as one offs driving in the SuperSports. Do we seriously think that he did that to further his career or add to his legacy... or do we think that he was concerned about harming his legacy when he took on those projects ? Not a bit of it. He's a racing enthusiast first and foremost and did it for enjoyment.

Sodemo · 27 Apr 2013, 17:13 (Ref:3240017)

He said in the past that he felt that Le Mans was "too dangerous" for him to consider taking part in. Therefore I doubt he will be going anything close to flat out around The Ring.

**Adam43** · 27 Apr 2013, 17:18 (Ref:3240020)

I believe that was a reference to slower GT cars. You may be right, especially if he is doing it during a normal days public session.

To be fair flat out, as in taking risks, should no be the way. Otherwise he may stuff it and the day could be over too soon. I suspect he will be going quite quick. Certainly quick enough for him to make this interesting and impressive.

davyboy · 27 Apr 2013, 17:47 (Ref:3240025)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Adam43

I believe that was a reference to slower GT cars. You may be right, especially if he is doing it during a normal days public session.

To be fair flat out, as in taking risks, should no be the way. Otherwise he may stuff it and the day could be over too soon. I suspect he will be going quite quick. Certainly quick enough for him to make this interesting and impressive.

I don't think it's possible to take a modern F1 car at full chat all the way around the old Ring. Nick Heidfeld didn't.

jedrinck · 27 Apr 2013, 18:00 (Ref:3240031)

About Schumacher's comeback, I really think he has nothing to be ashamed of. The car was not a championship contender, and as we all know F1 is mainly about the cars. He kept up well with Rosberg who now doesn't seem inferior to Hamilton as many expected. He got pole at Monaco for crying out loud, just like in the crappy 96 Ferrari!

**Adam43** · 27 Apr 2013, 19:09 (Ref:3240045)

Quote:

Originally Posted by davyboy

I don't think it's possible to take a modern F1 car at full chat all the way around the old Ring. Nick Heidfeld didn't.

I think you may be right.

Sodemo · 27 Apr 2013, 19:45 (Ref:3240051)

Quote:

Originally Posted by davyboy

I don't think it's possible to take a modern F1 car at full chat all the way around the old Ring. Nick Heidfeld didn't.

I don't really see why not. If they slap a setup on it that is subtle enough to absorb the bumps, raise the ride height a bit, sure it won't be mega quick in terms of setup, but it should be fine. If they can go over the start finish straight at Interlagos with the bottom of the car thumping the ground at 190mph, then i'm sure the ring's bumps can be tamed at speeds near or a bit below that.

FordCosworthPanoz · 27 Apr 2013, 20:24 (Ref:3240061)

Its obviously 'possible', but nobody with any ounce of sanity wants to see what will happen if somebody loses and crashes a modern F1 car on certain sections of the Nordschleife at full speed.

**Adam43** · 27 Apr 2013, 21:44 (Ref:3240089)

This should always just remain superficial comments.

Flat out needs, amongst other things, hours of practice and competition to need to do it.

FordCosworthPanoz · 27 Apr 2013, 21:51 (Ref:3240094)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Adam43

This should always just remain superficial comments.

Flat out needs, amongst other things, hours of practice and competition to need to do it.

It's still 'possible' though. But so is lapping an F1 car in a school gymnasium. Not going to happen.

**Adam43** · 27 Apr 2013, 21:53 (Ref:3240096)

I get the semantics. It's not 'impossible'.

davyboy · 28 Apr 2013, 11:11 (Ref:3240218)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sodemo

I don't really see why not. If they slap a setup on it that is subtle enough to absorb the bumps, raise the ride height a bit, sure it won't be mega quick in terms of setup, but it should be fine. If they can go over the start finish straight at Interlagos with the bottom of the car thumping the ground at 190mph, then i'm sure the ring's bumps can be tamed at speeds near or a bit below that.

I believe there are undulations at certain points on the Ring with a frequency to cause an F1 car to become completely airborne at full chat and with the optimum trim. It's why Nick Heidfeld couldn't give it the maximum all the way around. He came pretty close though. Even though I imagine Schumacher won't take any risks at all... it'll still be spectacular.

**garcon** · 28 Apr 2013, 15:18 (Ref:3240265)

Quote:

Originally Posted by davyboy

I don't think it's possible to take a modern F1 car at full chat all the way around the old Ring. Nick Heidfeld didn't.

If they use this season's tyres he'll only make it half way round.

**Adam43** · 28 Apr 2013, 15:20 (Ref:3240266)

That is certainly possible.

terence · 29 Apr 2013, 06:33 (Ref:3240427)

Quote:

Originally Posted by garcon

He has nothing to lose, and it's only those who didn't like him in the first place that claim his time at Mercedes F1 somehow tarnished his reputation.

But he did sportscars years ago, before F1, it's known he has no interest in ovals, and he's probably got a family agreement not to do DTM for fear of embarrassing Ralf. Again.

As for the millions he has stockpiled away, he spends his money on much more worthwhile stuff than most.

Agree 100%,funny how easy it is to dislike someone you have probably never met!Michael is a far nicer bloke than a lot of people will ever know,he has given huge sums to charities right from the early days because he was "in the fortunate position to do so". I will be fortunate enough to be present when this happens and I don't think it will be a disappointment to watch.

jsTrecu · 28 May 2013, 11:39 (Ref:3254464)

An onboard video of the lap

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DFXu8y0ZqTM

Richard C · 28 May 2013, 15:38 (Ref:3254552)

Longer video that shows start to stop...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rsclF-mUksQ

I don't know the details, but from watching the longer video, the lap came across as very odd. I mean we knew it wasn't going to be a quick lap for a number of reasons, but it seemed particularly slow.

He starts on the GP track and was using more revs at first and seemed to not have much grip at first (cold and unknown spec tires?). The further he goes the more tentative he is, less revs (sometimes oddly running on the rev limiter for a bit) slow in the corners and by the time he exits Adenauer Forst he is really short shifting and looks to generally cruise for the entire remainder of the lap. The track doesn't look damp, but doesn't really look dry either.

Regardless, he still looked to be going pretty slow even for a conservative lap. In fact, it is a rather boring lap. Mechanical issue with the car? Micheal not get enough sleep the night before?

Richard

beau1 · 28 May 2013, 16:15 (Ref:3254575)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Richard Casto

Longer video that shows start to stop...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rsclF-mUksQ

I don't know the details, but from watching the longer video, the lap came across as very odd. I mean we knew it wasn't going to be a quick lap for a number of reasons, but it seemed particularly slow.

He starts on the GP track and was using more revs at first and seemed to not have much grip at first (cold and unknown spec tires?). The further he goes the more tentative he is, less revs (sometimes oddly running on the rev limiter for a bit) slow in the corners and by the time he exits Adenauer Forst he is really short shifting and looks to generally cruise for the entire remainder of the lap. The track doesn't look damp, but doesn't really look dry either.

Regardless, he still looked to be going pretty slow even for a conservative lap. In fact, it is a rather boring lap. Mechanical issue with the car? Micheal not get enough sleep the night before?

Richard

The whole thing seems a bit manufactured for me. The fact he caught up and passed those other Mercedes cars right at the end of the lap suggests to me that the whole thing was timed for him to do that.

I remember Ferrari pulling a similar stunt with Schumacher in 1996 when they used a Fiat Bravo, a 550 Maranello and the F310.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s2GuJjj9niw

chunder · 28 May 2013, 16:30 (Ref:3254585)

If you look on Youtube you can see and hear evidence of the car not running properly.

So it was eitehr designed to not run properly or it simpy wasnt!

I sadly believe the former, as it was fine earlier in the lap!

But sad really when you consder Heidelf was doing a decent job in the BMW