Schumacher not good for F1 - Hill

 

Schumacher pipped Hill to the 1994 world title

 

Michael Schumacher has not been good for Formula One, his former rival Damon Hill has told BBC Radio's Today show. The 1996 world champion, who had several run-ins with Schumacher, said: "Brilliant driver though he is, I think he has not been good for the sport."

Hill was glad to have raced Schumacher because it had pushed him to levels "I never thought I would achieve".

But he added: "From time to time the entertainment value has waned slightly with Michael's dominance."

Inteview: Former F1 world champion Damon Hill

Hill believes that Schumacher has the edge in his battle with Fernando Alonso for the 2006 title, which the German could clinch in Japan this weekend.

"I have to say that psychologically Michael is bullet-proof," he said.

Michael's a very tough competitor

 

 

Damon Hill

 

"Alonso has made some remarks recently about not having the support of the Renault team, which were ill-judged and show some sort of weakness there really.

"Alonso has poured his heart out to a journalist and it looks like he is feeling the pressure, which is one up to Michael again."

Hill's most notorious run-in with Schumacher came in 1994 at the season-ending Australian Grand Prix in Adelaide.

Schumacher led the championship by a point going into the race, during which the pair collided after the German turned his Benetton into Hill's Williams.

Neither could finish and so Schumacher won the title.

"I don't think it's a question of forgiving. It was all very exciting at the time and you just try to get stuck into the next season," said Hill.

"It was disappointing that I didn't win but, to be fair, it was a closely-fought championship and a bit of an unusual one and a sad one because we lost Ayrton Senna. So quite honestly I was glad to see the back of it.

"Michael has done some amazing things, there's no question. I would not take away any of my opportunities to race against Michael Schumacher because he drew out of me a level of driving that I never thought I would achieve. He's a very tough competitor."

He added: I'm looking forward to F1 without Michael and hoping that we will see some real competition again between drivers within teams as well as drivers against each other in other teams."

He added: "I'm looking forward to F1 without Michael and hoping that we will see some real competition again between drivers within teams as well as drivers against each other in other teams."

 

Me too, Damon, me too. :nice:

 

I miss Damon... haven't heard a squeak out of him in years... wonder what he's been up to? *runs off to find out*

Me too, Damon, me too. :nice:

 

I miss Damon... haven't heard a squeak out of him in years... wonder what he's been up to? *runs off to find out*

 

He was on Top Gear not so long ago.;)

At least he doesn't come across as "arrogant"!!;)

He was on Top Gear not so long ago.;)

At least he doesn't come across as "arrogant"!!;)

 

No, not that I've ever seen.

 

Random thought of the day... my brother Graham was actually named after his dad, from what I understand...

No, not that I've ever seen.

 

Random thought of the day... my brother Graham was actually named after his dad, from what I understand...

 

Interesting!! So your dad's a F1 fan, then?:thinking:

So who were you named after? Erin Moran from "Happy Days"??:rolleyes:

Interesting!! So your dad's a F1 fan' date=' then?:thinking:[/quote']

 

F1 obsessive, more like it. Dad loves cars. I was pretty much raised on F1.

F1 obsessive' date=' more like it. Dad loves cars. I was pretty much raised on F1.[/quote']

 

It was more of a "sport" back then. Nowadays it's often a "procession".;)

It was more of a "sport" back then. Nowadays it's often a "procession".;)

 

Yes it was! *nods vigorously* ...which is why I heartily agree with Damon Hill on the Schumi thing.

what a freakin pointless comment.

what if he was in michael's position (of course he can't mess with him)?

what if he was the greatest diver in formula one?

would he go slower just to make everything a little more exciting?

damon hill needs money. that's what it's all about.

I miss Damon... haven't heard a squeak out of him in years... wonder what he's been up to?

He's been running a company called P1, who rent out exotic/expensive sports cars out to (rich) people. More rencently Damon became head of the British Racing Driver Club who own Silverstone.

 

I totally agree that Schumachers dominance has been truly bad for the sport and i believe it has put off many fans and potential fans from watching.

he is not good,he is the best

I wouldn't say 'best'. He's the 'most complete'.

what a freakin pointless comment.

what if he was in michael's position (of course he can't mess with him)?

what if he was the greatest diver in formula one?

.

 

As far as I know, you don't get "divers" in Formula One. I think you must be confusing him with Schumacher's football "equivalent" in the arrogance stakes, "Conaldo"!!:rolleyes:

i hate your puns.

you're not funny at all.

i hate your puns.

you're not funny at all.

 

Are you having a laugh? Is she having a laugh??:laugh3:

He's been running a company called P1, who rent out exotic/expensive sports cars out to (rich) people. More rencently Damon became head of the British Racing Driver Club who own Silverstone.

 

I totally agree that Schumachers dominance has been truly bad for the sport and i believe it has put off many fans and potential fans from watching.

 

Yup. I lost interest in it yonks ago!!;)

Schumacher - Great driver - but had no serious competition other then Jacques and Mika and kimi.

 

Jacques has suffered in a crap car, Mika gave up and kimi blows his engine up every other race.

 

i'm not a fan of Schuey but i think its great how after 90 wins he still enjoys winning. Why hes retiring i dont know. People say hes a cheat - hes done the same as Senna, yet hes the one who gets slagged off.

 

Damon, was lucky - right place, right time.