Michael Schumacher
August 20, 2001 9:54 PM   Subscribe

Michael Schumacher came to Hungaroring yesterday as a triple world champion, he left it as a legend! [More inside]
posted by riffola (21 comments total)
 
Schumacher took his fourth drivers crown and his 51st race win, equalling both records of Alain Prost in a single stroke. He now also has covered the most number of laps and miles/kilometres in the lead of any Grand Prix driver and has made a new record for himself by being the only driver to win two championships with two different teams.
posted by riffola at 9:56 PM on August 20, 2001


hmm, i dont know about you people, but i think your joking about the fact that he got shot is kind of sad.
the guy has sunglasses.
as was stated, maybe to him they were a good buy.
me, i think spending over 25 bucks is a waste of money.

but getting shot over them?
come on, someone should analyze why shooting is such an accepted practice.
posted by JackthaStripper at 9:57 PM on August 20, 2001


Whoa! JackthaStripper, how did you post the same comment in two threads? Maybe you were disoriented by the multiple windows playing music and flashing images of Michael Schumacher.

Europeans and their crowns...
posted by hotdoughnutsnow at 10:06 PM on August 20, 2001


haha
man
i had another post that explained that i was outrunning a shark while typing but it never made it...
damn shark ate it.
posted by JackthaStripper at 10:14 PM on August 20, 2001


Michael better watch out next year for his brother and Montoya in the Williams-BMW machines. The next four races might give us a glimpse into the domination of the Williams duo next season. That, along with Jacques in an improving Honda and the McLaren duo, promises to make next year the most competitive in some time.
posted by gyc at 10:45 PM on August 20, 2001


Let's see Michael going head to head with the other driver in his team - something he has never done in years he's won a title?

Also, he won his first one in rather unusual circumstances - he rammed his rival Damon Hill off the track in Adelaide in 1994 after he crashed and rejoined the track.

I accept he is by far the most talented driver of his generation, but he's not as good as people make him out to be.

Just my two cents.
posted by tomcosgrave at 2:11 AM on August 21, 2001


Montoya is a hothead. He'll never finish more than 4 or5 races in a season
posted by matteo at 4:46 AM on August 21, 2001


Which is a more stupid use of time: American motor sports or European Sports? I'll go with European, since at least here, the undertaking is associated with the South.
posted by ParisParamus at 4:51 AM on August 21, 2001


Montoya is a hothead....

Yeah, always running around bitching about how that six fingered dude killed his father. Trust me, don't invite this guy to a party. He's always checkin' out people's hands, and cornering people to tell them that stupid story about how he got those nasty scars on his face. He's all like "You kill my father, prepare to die". I'm all like "Yeah, well, you kill my buzz, so fuck off." What a total asshole.
posted by Optamystic at 5:08 AM on August 21, 2001


Thanks for pooting forth your views of motorsports, Paris. The sheer technological marvels associated with Formula One are reason enough to be fascinated by it. Currently, there is development underway to create electromagnetic valvetrains for the already phenomenal engines that would allow RPMs well over 20K. This, from engines that already manage 200 horsepower per litre. Coupled with the gigantic egos of drivers that make a base salary before endorsements of $15 mil per year, Formula One provides plenty of reasons to follow along.

As for Schumacher, I think we'll always be asking whether he is better than Senna, or if he has just had the most advanced machinery. Toyota's big budget entry into F1 next year will be fun to watch as well. Everyone is expecting them to fail.
posted by machaus at 6:50 AM on August 21, 2001


Mad props to Optamystic! Want a peanut?
posted by hotdoughnutsnow at 7:06 AM on August 21, 2001


Montoya is a bit hot-headed, but so was Ayrton Senna. Didn't he punch Eddie Irvine back when Irvine was a rookie? Anyway, I think while some of Schumacher's success can be attributed to his superior car, a lot is due to talent. Remember that Ferrari wasn't anything special before he went there, and after he left Benetton they weren't any good either. Of course he is a cheating unsportsmanlike bastard, but that's another story.
posted by gyc at 8:55 AM on August 21, 2001


>>The sheer technological marvels associated with Formula One are reason enough to be fascinated by it. Currently, there is development underway to create electromagnetic valvetrains for the already phenomenal engines that would allow RPMs well over 20K.<<

Well, tinkering is fun, but surely you realize that the percentage of "racing fans" which care about the technological aspect of the sport is quite small. It's about potential death and it's a cultural thing. A mindless cultural thing (for the spectators).
posted by ParisParamus at 9:23 AM on August 21, 2001


Actually, I retract my view entirely. Lots of technology, including my beloved road cycling, and sports medicine, only exists and only advances by seducing the masses. So, enjoy!
posted by ParisParamus at 9:36 AM on August 21, 2001


IMHO, I think GP has become more boring throughout the years. Safety is important, but nowadays it's rare to see anything exciting going on out there. To see some more exciting driving, I think we need to have some wider tracks with longer sweeping curves mixed with tighter short bends. I'm British, and even I'll admit that Indycar is far more exciting nowadays. (Note: Opinions are mine only)
posted by wackybrit at 10:19 AM on August 21, 2001


Paris: Cars today have ABS, Fuel Injection, Disc Brakes, Traction Control, etc because of Formula 1. Formula 1 is the testing ground for new ideas, as soon as something works, it trickles it's way down to the road cars.

The modern Formula 1 is a very safe sport... Michael Schumacher was involved in a 190 MPH crash this year that was just as bad as his crash in '99, the difference is that in '99 he broke his leg, this year he walked away from it unharmed. It's all thanks to the new safety measures.

As for the percentage of racing fans who care about the technological aspect in Formula 1, I believe this doesn't apply to a chunk of the Formula 1 fans, just 'cause the sport itself is so technical.
posted by riffola at 11:26 AM on August 21, 2001


Paris: Cars today have ABS, Fuel Injection, Disc Brakes, Traction Control, etc because of Formula 1. Formula 1 is the testing ground for new ideas, as soon as something works, it trickles it's way down to the road cars.

I AGREE. I TOOK IT ALL BACK. NASCAR idiots: What I don't understand is why you care, but I'm glad you do!
posted by ParisParamus at 1:07 PM on August 21, 2001


I love Formula 1, but I don't watch NASCAR. What's with the attitude, Paris? If you hate racing fans that much, I could always blow my head off, if it would make you feel any better.
posted by gleemax at 2:40 PM on August 21, 2001


Son, it's a joke. Mostly.
posted by ParisParamus at 2:52 PM on August 21, 2001


Really? Damn. I was just about to blow my head off, too.
posted by gleemax at 6:57 PM on August 21, 2001


My personal view: F1 is boring DUE TO the technology. I mean, th computer controls practically everything in the car at this point, the driver is there to steer, brake, hit the gas...and that's it.

I think it's pointless to say Shumacher or Prost or Senna or Fangio or Clark was the greatest of all time. Greatest of their eras? Certainly. But I'm pretty sure Schuey would be pretty much dead and gone if he drove the same car that Fangio did, if only because Schuey wins mainly thanks to the tech.

Oh by the way...here's something cool that's on my personal to-do list. Well, actually here's another.
posted by PeteyStock at 3:16 PM on August 22, 2001


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