Formula 1
Brawn admits 'disappointment' with Schumacher
As F1's top men battled for pole position at Valencia, the spotlight was once again on an underperforming Michael Schumacher. His Mercedes teammate Nico Rosberg was also sitting out the decisive Q3 qualifying segment, but Schumacher was six tenths ...
GMM
Published: Jun 26, 2010, 3:19 PM
Copy link
Share on Viber
As F1's top men battled for pole position at Valencia, the spotlight was once again on an underperforming Michael Schumacher.
His Mercedes teammate Nico Rosberg was also sitting out the decisive Q3 qualifying segment, but Schumacher was six tenths off the young German's pace and a dismal 15th on the grid.
Criticism of the 41-year-old's F1 return has already been intensifying, amid new rumours Mercedes might want to replace him for 2011 with Robert Kubica.
"If it was any other driver, other than the great Michael Schumacher, we'd be looking for his head, or most of the press would be looking for his head, because clearly this performance in the past couple of races has been very poor," said BBC pundit Eddie Jordan on Saturday.
David Coulthard thinks his old rival is cutting corners on the kind of detail that, in his first career, made him the most successful driver ever.
"He's running the (rev) limiter in some places -- that's just sloppy," the Scot said in Valencia.
"In his first career, even when his car wasn't performing he would deliver a lap time ... even on a bad day."
For the first time, Mercedes team boss Ross Brawn has admitted some disappointment with Schumacher's situation.
"We're a bit disappointed at the moment. Michael would admit he's not where he wants to be.
"We're seeing signs of progress in some races but not in others, but we've not had a great car this year, which has not helped him," added the Briton.
At the sharp end of the grid, Red Bull defied its own predictions by qualifying one-two at Valencia -- with the F-duct now fully up and running.
"Valencia should not be our strongest circuit," said delighted pole sitter Sebastian Vettel, ahead of his teammate Mark Webber and McLaren's Lewis Hamilton.
The two Ferraris are fourth and fifth, followed by the consistent Robert Kubica.
We want your opinion!
What would you like to see on Motorsport.com?
Take our 5 minute survey.
- The Motorsport.com Team
Read and post comments
Read also :
Share Or Save This Story
Copy link
Share on Viber
Previous article Pirelli eyes old BMW F1 car for tyre tests
Next article Mercedes 'not going forwards' says gutted Rosberg
Top Comments
There are no comments at the moment. Would you like to write one?
View More & Comment
More from
GMM
The season is still very long - Rosberg
Formula 1
Formula 1
The season is still very long - Rosberg
Jules Bianchi's father speaks of family's continued hopes
Formula 1
Formula 1
Jules Bianchi's father speaks of family's continued hopes
Sauber under no illusions about constructors' position
Formula 1
Formula 1
Chinese GP
Sauber under no illusions about constructors' position
More from
Lewis Hamilton
‘I’ll try to win, somehow’ – Can Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen fight back for F1 Brazilian GP victory?
Formula 1
Formula 1
Sao Paulo GP
17 h
‘I’ll try to win, somehow’ – Can Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen fight back for F1 Brazilian GP victory?
F1 Brazilian GP: Sunday schedule, weather forecast and how to watch
Formula 1
Formula 1
Sao Paulo GP
F1 Brazilian GP: Sunday schedule, weather forecast and how to watch
More from
Ferrari
Robert Kubica announces exit from AF Corse’s privateer Hypercar in WEC
WEC
WEC
Monza
9 h
Robert Kubica announces exit from AF Corse’s privateer Hypercar in WEC
Charles Leclerc penalised for Liam Lawson clash; Kimi Antonelli and Oliver Bearman also punished after F1 Brazilian GP
Formula 1
Formula 1
Sao Paulo GP
9 h
Charles Leclerc penalised for Liam Lawson clash; Kimi Antonelli and Oliver Bearman also punished after F1 Brazilian GP
Latest news
WEC drivers question lack of full-course yellow after heavy Monza crash
WEC
WEC WEC
Monza
30 min
WEC drivers question lack of full-course yellow after heavy Monza crash
Kyle Larson, Cliff Daniels and the Hendrick 5 are who we say they are
NASCAR Cup
NAS NASCAR Cup
Homestead-Miami
2 h
Kyle Larson, Cliff Daniels and the Hendrick 5 are who we say they are
Final NASCAR Cup points standings after 2026 Homestead finale
NASCAR Cup
NAS NASCAR Cup
Homestead-Miami
6 h
Final NASCAR Cup points standings after 2026 Homestead finale
Feature
Discover prime content
Subscribe and access Motorsport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.
You have 2 options:
- Become a subscriber.
- Disable your adblocker.
Subscribe now Already subscribed? Sign in here
Already disabled your adblocker?
Reload page
Manage Alerts
Subscribe