A too conservative set up was among the things that kept Michael Schumacher from a better race in Australia, the seven-time champ says in a statement late Monday on his personal website.
“I know that might sound awkward but I take a lot of good aspects from the race weekend in Melbourne. Of course that does not show at first sight but looking into our weekend more deeply, I find we did improve quite well and have a good reason to be quite satisfied – just not from the pure result obviously. But analyzing Qualifying I think both Nico and me could have been ranked 2 to 3 positions better. I had a too conservative set up in the end which was too much concentrated towards the race, plus I had a tear-off strip stuck in my front wing which too cost me some time. And going into the race from those better positions would have meant fighting for the podium.
All that means that we are not too far away, and I am quite confident there will be more to come. So going to Malaysia we know that clearly we improved our pace since Bahrain which is a good feeling. It was a lot of fun fighting in Melbourne even if it was just for one point, and I will enjoy fighting again in Sepang. We would like to show another good race.”
After a riotously fun race that has to put off the “F1 is boring” talk until at least Q2 at Malaysia, Schumacher’s lack of success seems to be the story that F1 followers are fixating upon this week. I’m paraphrasing Anthony Davidson, but he said something along the lines of “it was sad to see Schumacher unable to get past Jaime Alguersari” on the 5 Live podcast.
And, of course, the Mirror full-on questions whether Schumacher even has the stuff to finish the season.
Here’s my takeaway: On one of the weekend 5 Live podcasts, Schumacher said, again paraphrasing: “I’ve got my own timetable, I’m not going to share it. Stay tuned.”
Until there is clear evidence otherwise, I’m going to keep staying tune. It seemed most of the British F1 media I heard are still expecting it to take another race or two for Schumacher to get back on form.
He may not, it’s true. The guy’s older than 40, and a few of us here at F1B can attest that nothing gets easier at that point. (Other than complaining about how loud the kids’ music, aka “racket” is, or perhaps having a good, long sit.) But the fact remains: If anyone can manage this comeback, it’s got to be Michael Schumacher.
Right?
