Ralf's attitude again....

[Kicking-back]

Quick line from autosport.com on today's testing in Barcelona....

"Sixth fastest was Williams test driver Marc Gene, whose services were called upon when Ralf Schumacher retired hurt with an upper back/shoulder problem. Gene got through a mammoth 104 laps, which Ralf obviously didn't fancy…"

Ralf pulled out after five laps.

This won't endear him to Frank and Patrick.........

[maxell]

He has back-pain, lay off! geeshhhh

[ASCII Man]

Why is this guy still wasting this top of the line seat?
If I was Sir Frank I would have said '**** off, kid!' ages ago...

[Phoenix1]

i think some people around here might not of had back problems. If its lower back as stated that not only affects your lower back but if left untreated tightens the whole back and neck as well as the shoulders and causes migranes. Ontop of that once everything is tight it restricts smooth and effective blood flow around the body and some of those first signs of it getting bad are cramp in the feet - not something you want when you need to break. Not good for the team in the long term or for Ralf. Ralf has never pulled up in a race before even when he has been down the field for whatever reason. Chalk it up as a one off and hope he gets well.

[RWC]

Ralf seems to be prone to such problems on rare occasions.Frank may or may not like it...

[Kicking-back]

I've suffered severe back pain and you are right.

But - it's one of those things people can claim to have because there's no way of disproving this.

[Damon]

Yes, Ralf seems to "suffer" from injuries like this far more than any other driver on the grid.

[Woolley]

Lower back? Perhaps another way of saying 'Pain in the ...'

[Spudgun]

Although Ralf is useless, if he has a back problem then he should rest for it or else he'll do even worse in the next grand prix.

I've recently had a back problem, which is better but has left me in a bit of pain with my left leg. It's a bit of a bugger when using the clutch in my car.

Even though I don't rate the guy much (can you tell? ) he's done the best thing imo. There's no point trashing yourself in testing when the points are in racing.

Even if he's not fully fit he can trash himself in the race to perhaps get a couple of points (as usual).

If the guy is in pain he should sit out the test. It is a bit worrying though for the next race, if only for WCC points.


It it is true that he seems to suffer like this more than most. I wonder why? :confused:

[Gt_R]

I'm amazed. I know people don't like Ralf..but it's unbelievable that his attitude is being accused just because he suffered an injury or is unwell.

Do we expect drivers to keep pushing even when they're in pain? And if Frank doesn't like it..so what? Unless Ralf's bluffing, i don't think Frank would be that petty.

It's just testings..so sitting out of it is the best and smartest thing to do.

[GP Racer]

Originally posted by Gt_R
I'm amazed. I know people don't like Ralf..but it's unbelievable that his attitude is being accused just because he suffered an injury or is unwell.

Well, exactly how did Ralf "suffer" this injury?

You can't blame fans for being abit suspicious of Ralf, after all the shenanigans he's pulled this season, can you?

I think he just doesn't care, because he knows he is done at Williams, and now he's just laying down. Fire him Frank!

[Gt_R]

Last time i heard, sitting in an F1 car for one isn't like sitting in my leather armchair..

yeah, i don't really rate Ralf as a driver, and in fact pay little attention to his actions beyond the race track.. but let's practice some sympathy and give him the benefit of doubt...He's already stuffed with no teams showing a desire for him

[corkholio]

Ralf could have hurt himself when he had his brainfade vs Sato. It's not like the guy hasn't raced hurt before. But hey, at least it wasn't a camera.

You can't really tell with these back injuries because after all I have actually seen that excuse used to explain 2 years of mediocre performances by a recently retired driver.

[senna12]

I should think that the back area is probably the most supported part of the anatomy inside the cockpit. I suspect neck, elbow, or knee injuries (the Mac is so skinny, Kimi and David wear kneepads) are much more common. Most drivers have conditioned their necks to withstand the tremendous g's they pull.

So with that in mind, and cognizant of Ralfs current state of affairs with regards to his employment at Williams, one might naturally suspect him of fornicating the puppy, as it were.

But perhaps he injured it in his last road accident, in which case I'm sorry.

But he's still toast at Williams.

[Gt_R]

Eddie was complainin alot of back pains at Ferrari.

And really, back pain, unless involving spinal, is hard to determine.

But who cares...it's Ralf/WIlliams issue..

[Peter Mallett]

Maybe its a throwback to his testing shunt last year. However to use it to bash the guy when there's loads of better reasons (currently) is a bit off.

[Dutton]

I have what started as lower-back problems some years ago, but this has anifested itself in many other ways. Indeed, to sate him for such thins is daft.

However, Ralf's pretty regular issues are a problem for Williams - no doubt.

[Irv the Swerve]

Jaysus, once the mob goes against you it really goes, eh Ralfie?

Its not like he has pulled out of a GP because he broke a nail. He gave up duties at a test session because of a back injury. I'm sure the medics at Williams advised him on this course of action. Upper back/neck pains are not the things to have when in a racing car - they are the exact reasons my car is untouched this year. Best look after it well in the first place rather than have it continuously flare up at more important times of the year.

[hamsmith]

It might be a ongoing problem and might be able to explain his lack of focus this season and him ridiculas race incidents. If he he unwell he should step down to recover and come back in the later part of the season. If he is unwell he will not be able to win a WDC anyway but at least if he takes some sick leave he will be fit enought to perform well and show Williams/Toyota that he does have what it takes and be signed up for next season.

[BootsOntheSide]

We can't really criticise Ralf for this without knowing all the circumstances. The quoted section of the article clearly has an axe to grind with Ralf (although, in fairness, many of us do). Let's see if he's okay by Imola.

[Mattracer]

I know why his back is hurting.

Having to carry around his heavy wallet.

[Gt_R]

Yeah..nobody slags Owen for always being sidelined for matches...so why Ralfie

'less e poor chap isn't allowed to be hurt cos he aint good?

[Knowlesy]

As much as I detest the waste of a top-line seat that Ralf so obviously is, I think he can be excused the odd back problem. If it's genuine.

I don't find this as supicious as his withdrawal from Monza last year.

If he is suffering from back problems my heart goes out to him, as my back is bloody hurting at the minute too. All that lying in bed!

[Kicking-back]

Best thing for Ralf would be to take a few races off to recover.

I'm sure Marc Gene would be happy to stand in.

[Knowlesy]

What a good idea!