Formula One has been about as interesting as watching paint dry for more years than I can remember. The addition of new teams this year has done nothing to add to the spectacle except perhaps to provide the entertainment of the sight of the leaders regularly lapping these mobile chicanes as the race progresses. However, last night’s Hungarian Grand Prix was noticeable for two things. Firstly, the mighty Mark Webber, the pride of Queanbeyan, winning his 4th race of the season (and how long HAS it been since an Aussie has won that many Grands Prix in one season?) and secondly the disgraceful spectacle of Michael Schumacher again recklessly endangering another driver’s life for personal gain and glory.
Schumacher has been a glory-hunter since Day 1, never allowing sportsmanship or morality to cloud his push for success. He started cheating his way to the top not long after. He crashed Damon Hill out of his deserved World Championship in Adelaide in 1994; he shoved Alain Prost off the track when Prost threatened his charge; he parked his car in the middle of the track at Monaco so that no-one could beat his qualifying time and he tried to crash Jaques Villeneuve off the track at Jerez in 1997. For these and many other smaller incidents the FIA saw fit to issue the occasional slap on the wrist and allow him to continue on his way, bringing F1 into disrepute in the eyes of true sportspeople along the way.
Finally, having made enough money and sullied the sport that nurtured him and gave him his living, he retired to go and play the occasional motorcycle racer at home. But, the lure of the money and glory was too much and this year he announced his “comeback”, and what a fiasco it has been. Driving for a top team (who else could afford his oputrageous salary demands?) he has not only failed to win a race, but he hasn’t even got onto the podium.
And then we have this. A move eerily reminiscent of his infamous cheap shot on Jaques Villeneeuve in 1997.
As usual, we have his own, mealy-mouthed “explanation” trying to convince the press corps that he was moving right so that Barrichello could pass him on the left…Well, that is so totally unbelievable that it doesn’t even deserve a response.
There’s a saying the the leopard doesn’t change his spots, and in Schumacher’s case, it certainly applies. The man is a self-righteous, amoral cheat and he should retire from the sport before he sullies it any further. Failing that, the FIA should immediately ban him rather than give him a slap on the wrist (again) and another opportunity to risk killing another driver just to satisfy his huge ego.
Feel free to disagree, but don’t expect me to change my mind.
gearsau says
Phil.
Agree with you 100%. Could never stand Schumacher, and wish that he would return to bike racing so that he can continue landing on his head. May knock some sense into him..
And could he take that other arrogant German, Vettel with him.
Phil Hall says
Fair point, too!
sanoptic says
Mark Webber wins a F1 race & its the last item on the news all 30sec’s [if that] of highlights.
Your right though F1 is not very interesting & i for one haven’t followed it in years.The Mrs & i used to drive down to Adelaide years ago to watch the F1’s & it was great but most car racing is too controlled these days.Look at V8 supercars even the Holens & Fords look the same.
I think club car racing or speedway is much more exciting i.m.o.