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We're totally "offtopicing" now, but in relation to these last posts I have one curious bit to add. Nowadays we regard Schumacher, in his early forties, as "old" (for a F1 driver).
Back in the days of "do-or-die" (or "do-and-die"), such age would be pretty normal, and in fact the appropriate age for champions.
Just a few quick facts:
1950 - Farina - 44 years old (oldest pole sitter in a Formula One race, a record he hold to this day)
1951 - Fangio - 40 years old
1952, 1953 - Ascari - 34 and 35 years old.
1954, 55, 56, 57 - Fangio - 43, 44, 45, 46 years old
Then came Hawthorn, a 29 year old kid. Then back to older guys with Brabham, in his mid-thirties
Fact is, with the exception of Hawthorn, to be older and wiser was better if you were a Formula 1 driver back in those days. So, indeed, comparisons are mostly futile.
As this picture of two outstanding drivers in their prime years shows.
Maybe we can make a separate topic? Hmmm.
We all have to keep in mind that driving an F1 car today is not merely about skill. Schumacher plainly still has the skill to turn in fast laps... look at the performance he puts in year after year as he and Vettel win the ROC. F1 of old was a lot like old-school boxing... where a forty-year old or fifty-year old could still become a champion. But today? It's like mixed martial arts. Fast, furious, requiring incredible physical conditioning. Sure, some old dogs can win MMA bouts, but that's often against weaker opponents or with lucky punches. F1 is even worse... with the terrific pounding a driver can take over the course of the race, even young drivers with massive amounts of talent and good fitness often struggle in their first season at the wheel.
