Do you believe Schumi's championship record will ever be broken?

[YellowG1]

I doubt that anyone would. Compared to today their were very few rules changes during Schumacher's reign, so Ferrari could consistently keep at the top. At some point one of the new rules has to throw Red Bull off, they'd need to still be dominating until 2016, and if Lewis is going to drive for them eventually, that would make it even harder for Vettel to keep winning titles.

Agree. I think Schumacher's record was the product of his being demonstrably the best driver in demonstrably the best car for an extended period of time. There may come a time when that is the case, but not anytime in the very near future. We're blssed with decent parity as between Ferrari, RBR, and McLaren and three or four top drivers able to win races honestly.

 

[The Outlaw]

he is as good as Schumacher was in his heyday. Why people are unsure of his talent I don't know, perhaps they haven't watched much F1 lately.

IMO, it's a bit too bit too early to jump to that conclusion. Schumacher in his prime was more than just a quick and talented driver. However, I do see many similarities between the two.

We need to see what he is capable of in a few years time...not after 2 succesful years at Red Bull racing in a top car.

 

[PeterJB]

IMO, it's a bit too bit too early to jump to that conclusion. Schumacher in his prime was more than just a quick and talented driver. However, I do see many similarities between the two.

We need to see what he is capable of in a few years time...not after 2 succesful years at Red Bull racing in a top car.

His speed is unquestioned, but he hasn't had many opportunities to demonstrate overtaking ability that comes anywhere near Kobayashi's, or strategic thinking of the calibre of Button's, since he usually just storms off into the distance and isn't seen again. Plus he's had a few collisions during overtaking attempts recently which haven't helped his reputation. He has done some reasonable passes in his time though.

 

[JohnBM01]

You know, I think it's possible. Maybe not to the same level of Michael Schumacher's level of dominance, but I think it's possible. That's even if it is not in our lifetime. If Tom Kristensen can win Le Mans outright to surpass Jacky Ickx (as well as have a great winning percentage doing so), then almost any racing record is possible. I know people don't want to see one driver just dominate entire seasons, but some drivers and teams are just too damn good and damn near untouchable.

So tab me for "Yes." I don't say it with a great level of confidence, but it is very possible to me.

 

[TopGearFTW]

I'm trying to think of any driver that really challenged Michael during his Ferrari days, and the only person I can think of is Hakkinen (and Alonso too, but the Renault was sublime then).

Compare that to now where you could make a strong cause for any of 4 or 5 drivers winning any race. Between Vettel, Hamilton, Webber, Button, and the Ferraris on their day (maybe not so much this season, but still...), and even down to people like Petrov and Heidfeld who, as we've seen already this season, can mix things up a bit, I think it's unlikely we will see another 7-time world champion in this era, although I would love for Lewis to do it

 

[F1 fan]

I'm trying to think of any driver that really challenged Michael during his Ferrari days, and the only person I can think of is Hakkinen (and Alonso too, but the Renault was sublime then).

Did you forget about Hill and Villeneuve?

 

[TopGearFTW]

Did you forget about Hill and Villeneuve?

True, but no-one could hold a candle to Williams then, it was like BrawnGP only they managed to keep it up for the whole season really.

I'm not saying Hill and Villeneuve were not talented, (although, Jacques only scraped his championship to be fair) but there has to be a point where you admit the car is the one winning the championship.

 

[adam46]

I want an inch-by-inch race to the record between Kubica, Hamilton & Vettel.

 

[F1 fan]

I want an inch-by-inch race to the record between Kubica, Hamilton & Vettel.

In that case, Kubica has a lot of catching up to do.

 

[kimi123]

Not really F1 is now much competitive with lots of guys, teams fighting for top spot. Vettel is young and even Hamilton is not old yet but you have to be lucky to come close to Schumi record.

 

[NFSCARBON1]

Vettel isn't as good as Schumacher was, but he's pretty close. I wonder if he'll move to the currently struggling Ferrari team in the near future? Turn them around, Win them a few championships?

I can see a new 'Red Baron' on the horizon myself, Red Bull won't keep him forever.

 

[mPWRD]

I can see a new 'Red Baron' on the horizon myself, Red Bull won't keep him forever.

You'll be surprised, but I think Vettel is actually loyal to Red Bull. As long as they keep giving him a good car, he'll stick around. But if Newey is lured away by Ferrari, we could see Vettel follow him.

 

[F1Addict]

Maybe, it depends on what kind of future lies ahead for F1 though, like regulation changes and teams financial situations. If RBR can keep Newey for the next 6-7 years then they have every chance of allowing Vettel to break Schumi's WDC title record.

One record I don't see being beaten any time soon is a few of Sachin Tendulkar's. 99 international centuries!

 

[Ardius]

IMO, it's a bit too bit too early to jump to that conclusion. Schumacher in his prime was more than just a quick and talented driver. However, I do see many similarities between the two.

We need to see what he is capable of in a few years time...not after 2 succesful years at Red Bull racing in a top car.

Why is it too early? Either you under-rate Vettel or you over-rate Schumacher, but the way Vettel is now is amazingly similar to Schumacher 1994.
I don't see what there is to wait for, Schumacher wasn't great becuase of consistencey and thats the only thing Vettel has lacked recently.

I'm not such a Vettel fan lately, but I have to say his skill in the car is undeniable. Very quick, even if a little ragged when he's under pressure and fighting wheel-to-wheel..just as Schumacher is/was.

 

[The Outlaw]

Why is it too early?

Read below:

but the way Vettel is now is amazingly similar to Schumacher 1994..

As we all know, Schumacher was just getting started on his road to dominance in 94'.

IMO, what Vettel has achieved thus far in his ~ 3 year career is of no comparison to the depth of talent (beyond just raw speed) Schumacher displayed throughout his career/hay day, nor is it anywhere near close to what Schumacher achieved....so I'm not one who's going to jump to some early conclusion, especially given the fact that Vettel arguably had the best car on the grid (by a fair margin) throughout a good portion of his F1 career thus far, and hasn't had to deal with anywhere near the adverse situations Schumacher had to persevere through in his career, in order to succeed.

Btw, I wouldn't have a problem with your opinion on Vettel's talent in comparison's to Michael's (which stretches FAR beyond 94'), but you spread it around as if it some well known fact...when it's far from that. The proof is in the pudding, and you can't prove a whole lot (other than running away with an arguably easy win) when you step into a team with the number 1 car on the grid year after year. Schumacher's career was MUCH more than that...and to say otherwise is either a slap in the face to Schumacher's resume or an early and unfounded over rating of Vettel.

He may be every bit as good as Schumacher, if not better...but that's something that we will have many years to wait and see. And even then it's not anything you can judge or prove with any certainty.

 

[mafia_boy]

There's one thing that's being forgotten about all this and that's the fact that during Schumacher & Ferrari's reign in the late '90s/early '00s there were no other competitive cars against the Ferrari except the McLaren. The only other driver during that time that was as consistently quick as Schuey was Mika Hakkinen.

Today's era is reminiscent of the 1985 to 1993 era where there were multiple drivers that were very quick, like the battles that Senna, Prost, Mansell & Piquet were having during that time. Between those 4 drivers, the world title was won for 9 consecutive years (Prost 4, Senna 3, Mansell & Piquet 1 each) so just from looking at that situation and the current driver situation (Vettel, Hamilton, Alonso, Button & Webber), we can very certainly see the same scenario presenting itself where instead of just four, there will be five drivers that can and will win the world championship every year between them for the next decade through their domination!

So my answer is no, Schuey's record won't be broken.....atleast not in my lifetime I'd say.

 

[Ardius]

Read below:



As we all know, Schumacher was just getting started on his road to dominance in 94'.

IMO, what Vettel has achieved thus far in his ~ 3 year career is of no comparison to the depth of talent (beyond just raw speed) Schumacher displayed throughout his career/hay day, nor is it anywhere near close to what Schumacher achieved....so I'm not one who's going to jump to some early conclusion, especially given the fact that Vettel arguably had the best car on the grid (by a fair margin) throughout a good portion of his F1 career thus far, and hasn't had to deal with anywhere near the adverse situations Schumacher had to persevere through in his career, in order to succeed.

Btw, I wouldn't have a problem with your opinion on Vettel's talent in comparison's to Michael's (which stretches FAR beyond 94'), but you spread it around as if it some well known fact...when it's far from that. The proof is in the pudding, and you can't prove a whole lot (other than running away with an arguably easy win) when you step into a team with the number 1 car on the grid year after year. Schumacher's career was MUCH more than that...and to say otherwise is either a slap in the face to Schumacher's resume or an early and unfounded over rating of Vettel.

He may be every bit as good as Schumacher, if not better...but that's something that we will have many years to wait and see. And even then it's not anything you can judge or prove with any certainty.

I don't see where this "depth of talent" is, Schumacher was very quick..so is Vettel. Vettel has had his Spanish GP 1996.

I don't see why Vettel has to have a terrible Ferrari 96/97 season just to prove he is as good. There are several examples already that he is quick in several different teams. My point with 1994 is that is where I feel Vettel is right now, and therefore we could potentially see him develop as Schumacher did after that year.

What sets them apart is Vettel might not have the team leadership skills that Schumacher had.

 

[noisiaturismo]

I would say on the current time Vettel can be able for it, but 8 years in a row? No, that won't happen. Schumacher made 5 in a row, the other 2 were at his beginning, not in a ferrari.

 

[F1 fan]

I would say on the current time Vettel can be able for it, but 8 years in a row? No, that won't happen. Schumacher made 5 in a row, the other 2 were at his beginning, not in a ferrari.

Who said anything about 8 years in a row? And yes, I think everyone here is well aware of his Benneton years.

 

[mPWRD]

It's a question of talent, team and longevity. Schumacher had all 3, and look what he did.