Halfway through Lap 26 of the British Grand Prix will mark the central point of the 2010 Formula 1 season. Before visiting a new-look Silverstone, GPUpdate.net reviews each driver’s performances, including highs and lows, from the first nine races of a highly dramatic championship.
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Can you even imagine explaining Michael Schumacher’s current championship position to a friend when he was at the peak of his first career? We’ve seen the same Michael Schumacher but some highly frustrating results so far this season, although we cannot forget that the works Mercedes car simply isn’t up to speed at the moment.
As expected, a fair amount of Schumacher bashing has gone on this season although – as pointed out by the great man himself – true fans only needed to watch the opening races to understand the situation; Bahrain produced a strong sixth, ahead of reigning Champion Jenson Button and Mark Webber, before the mistakes of others plus a lost wheel nut put paid to Australia and Malaysia.
However, China featured the first strategic error by the team which allowed a number of drivers, including rookies, to overtake the 7-time World Champion. That said, Michael pulled off a brilliant pass around the outside of Turn 1 (to leave Button rather flustered in Barcelona) on his way to a fourth place which was repeated in Istanbul.
Although he may have been invincible during Ferrari’s dominant years, the German is having to grin and bear it in 2010 as he pushes so much harder to reap a lot less reward, with poorer machinery underneath him. Yes, we’ve seen mistakes, although we also saw those in other difficult years such as 1996, 2003 and 2005.
Moments like his last-lap pass on Alonso in Monaco more than prove that Schumacher can still cut it in F1, which is nothing short of incredible considering he’s been off for three years, although he will have to risk his reputation yet further while hoping that the next silver arrow is capable of winning.
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Highlight: Brilliantly opportunistic manoeuvre on Alonso to seize 6th on the final lap in Monte-Carlo, even if contradicting regulations mean the moment results in a penalty
Lowlight: Involved in several questionable moves, whilst struggling with terribly worn rear tyres, which lead to a hammering from the media in Canada
Championship position: 9th (93 points off lead)
Grid positions: 7-7-8-9-6-7-5-13-15
Average grid position: 9th
Finishing positions: 6-10-R-10-4-12-4-11-15
Average finishing position: 11th
Retirements: 1 (Malaysia – left-rear wheel nut falls off while running 6th)
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