"I drive a little bit better than the rest."

[Adam43]

Hate is such a strong word, I prefer despise.

[Andrew2001]

Generally, Barrichello has been outpaced, OF COURSE, thats because he is not good enough overall to beat Schumacher, even if he was allowed to. Irvine "had a brake problem" at Austria '98 and thats why Schunmacher took 3rd there.
What it comes down to, is I think that if Todt had teamed SChumacher with someone like Villeneuve, Fisichella, Raikkonen or Montoya, he would not have had it so easily.
That's all I am saying. But because he has not had a driver in that calibre, he has not had to worry. Tell me of an occasion where Ron Dennis made DC move over to Hakkinen on the last lap of the race once, not mention Two years in a row, and 3 times on the same race track in 4 years damn it.
That kind of petty rubbish never did happen when both drivers were in with a shout, hell DC even took Mika clean out of the race (he rejoined) while goin for the lead at Austria 1999, and barged passed him at Spa the same year.

What I do admire about Schumacher, is his technical ability, his intelligence and his adaptability, but lap for lap, race for race, I do think that 4-5 other drivers out there would give him a far better challenge thatn what Barrichello and Irvine have ever managed. But as that will never happen, we shall never know. The 200% reliability of the Ferrari is yes, down to the team, they have done a great job on that part. If only Mika had a car that was as reliable as that....well, words fail me, as murray would say, to say just how many wins he could have had....anyway.
And no I am not a JV fan by a long shot to whoever said that.

[Glen]

The differential between team-mates is not much larger at Ferrari than at other teams though - I'd say that Mika and Kimi are to DC what Schumacher is to Barrichello. Montoya over Ralf likewise - same at BAR. Probably the only team that doesn't have that kind of dynamic is Renault (and that's only in recent times as Trulli has at last got his race day act together).

[Gt_R]

It's ridiculously easy to say AFTER MIchael outclassed Rubens, that Rubens is just an inferior driver and JV/etc/etc would and should have been beside MS.

Who knows..If we put Michael into DC's seat in 98 and 99, Mika perhaps would end up with nothing ? or if Williams succeed in getting MS to partner Hill, Hill would have won nothing?

Of course, it din't strike the critics that things work both ways... that people question MS's teammates, but NEVER question the selections of other teams/drivers

[JohnSSC]

Well of course not GT_R! Imagine the snooze-fest in comparing the Ironclad Contract that Bruni has that prevents Dolt Slowgartner from turning a competitive lap in the Minardow and also prevents Stoddart from getting a first class talent in the second Minardow. It would only be sporting and fair and we fans deserve to see two equal drivers out there every race duking it out wheel to wheel in identical Minardows! Lap after hair raising lap with both cars lasting sometimes past the first pit stop!!!

Can you imagine! The Excitement! The Thrills! Never knowing one week to the next which Minardow will qualify 19th and which 20th! Pulse-pounding action!

I am going to have to take a lie-down. Whew!

[Wrex]

[freud]

Originally posted by Andrew2001

What it comes down to, is I think that if Todt had teamed SChumacher with someone like Villeneuve, Fisichella, Raikkonen or Montoya, he would not have had it so easily.
That's all I am saying. But because he has not had a driver in that calibre, he has not had to worry.

Offcourse!!!!!!

I still remember all the competition which Damon, JV and Mika faced from their respective teammates enroute to beating MS. Their teammates actually took valuable points off and put more pressure on them. Had MS ever had those problems?? No!!

And irony is that Shell and Marloboro are willing to sponsor this guy.. why?? because he's the one with the reputation and the backing. MS has brilliantly managed his career and maximised his potential both on-track (by help from his teammate) and offtrack (by help of his sponsors).

[Glen]

So you think DC is better than Rubens then, freud?

[JohnSSC]

Yes! Evil DC thwarting Kimi in his chance to be WDC by consistently finishing behind him and the "Clash of the Titans" at Williams where Schumi Lite and JPM slip and slide over each other's tears as they whine through the season. It is also in Michael's contract this year that McLaren must build a rolling hand-grenade for Kimi and DC.

Now, Michael is on the verge of a 7th WDC because he, forced Marlboro and all his other sponsors to sponsor him as he has an Ironclad Contract that states: "All Sponsorship $$ must come to me. Sponsors are not allowed to pick the guy that brings the best results. That is just not Sporting."

Well I don't know about you lot, but soon it will be time for me to revel in watching the Minardows hit the track! My lust for Sporting Competiton is satisfied!

[fog_shadow]

Originally posted by JohnSSC
Schumi Lite and JPM slip and slide over each other's tears as they whine through the season.

that is so funny, it's a crime to post stuff like that.




got to go to the bathroom to clean up now

[Andrew2001]

Of course Dc is better than Barrichello. No questions asked there in my view.

[garcon]

Is he? :confused:

Anyway, we have two threads now - one quoting Michael claiming to be the best and one quoting Jenson saying the same.

Can they both be right?

[Kicking-back]

DC is comfortably better than Barrichello.

Jenson said he's the best - I don't recall Michael ever actually saying the same, though clearly he is.

[Andrew2001]

He said he drives a little bit better. I don't think he is actually very much faster than Kimi, Fisi or DC or JPM. What he does better than the rest, and this, in my view is what would be the difference in beating say a Kimi or a Mika in the same car, his adaptability, having confidence in changeable weather or when his car is behaving differently lap to lap, knowing just how much to push without putting it into the wall.
Look damn it, even when his team mate IS faster Schu is STILL given the right of way: if he is faster but behind his team mate, it's and I quote "Rubens! LET MICHAEL THROUGH!" But if Barri is putting on a great show and IS IN world championship contention he is not allowed to do anything with it.
That was the closest we will ever get to see two Ferraris fighting for position, the canadian GP '04.