Formula 1
Schumacher top lap-1 overtaker in 2011 - analysis
Global Motorsport Media
Published: Nov 2, 2011, 5:38 PM
Copy link
Share on Viber
Near the end of his second season since returning to Formula One, Michael Schumacher is finally topping the charts once again.
Germany's Sport1 reports that the seven time world champion ranks first on the list of drivers when it comes to performance on the opening lap of Grands Prix this year.
The report said the 42-year-old German has recorded no fewer than 42 overtaking moves on lap 1 so far in 2011, which is more than ten passes ahead of F1's second-best, Sebastien Buemi.
Michael Schumacher, Mercedes GP Petronas F1 Team
Photo by: xpb.cc
Third is the exciting Japanese driver Kamui Kobayashi, with 23 first-lap moves.
"Schumacher is getting better," said Niki Lauda, "but no one is interested because he doesn't have a competitive car.
"I hope that is different next year. Then we can watch it again from scratch."
It should be noted, of course, that drivers who qualify exceptionally well are unlikely to feature highly in the first-lap overtaking ranking, like Sebastian Vettel.
The back to back world champion has started from pole an astonishing 13 times out of the 17 races so far, meaning he has only passed two drivers on the first lap all season.
Schumacher's teammate Nico Rosberg insists he has been the better driver in 2011.
"If you look at who has got the most points, that's me, and if you look at who is most often ahead in the race, that's me as well," said the German.
"It is not true that he (Schumacher) is faster in the race. For sure he is closer in the race than he is in qualifying, but it is not true that he is faster," Rosberg insisted.
Nico Rosberg, Mercedes GP Petronas F1 Team
Photo by: xpb.cc
The Rosberg-Schumacher tussle aside, veteran engineer Joan Villadelprat insists the bigger picture is much more crucial at Mercedes.
"There are many people who analyse that Ferrari's performance has been unacceptable for a team of its calibre," he wrote in the El Pais newspaper.
"From my point of view there is a more pressing case -- Mercedes.
"2012 will be their third season, they have invested a fortune and the officials are not going to keep injecting millions if the effort does not translate.
"A premium brand such as theirs can only be in the fight for victory, which at the moment is an unrealistic goal. Mercedes cannot afford to be associated with the grid's middle class," added Villadelprat.
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 'Question marks' over three races for 2012
Next article Alonso not desperate for runner-up title
Top Comments
There are no comments at the moment. Would you like to write one?
View More & Comment
More from
Sébastien Buemi
Sebastien Buemi questions WEC race control’s VSC/FCY calls
WEC
WEC
Fuji
Sebastien Buemi questions WEC race control’s VSC/FCY calls
Sebastien Buemi not ruling out Formula E comeback: “I don’t want to close any doors”
Formula E
Formula E
Sebastien Buemi not ruling out Formula E comeback: “I don’t want to close any doors”
More from
Ferrari
Lewis Hamilton slams Charles Leclerc for "do or die" attitude after Mexico GP clash
Formula 1
Formula 1
Mexican GP
9 h
Lewis Hamilton slams Charles Leclerc for "do or die" attitude after Mexico GP clash
Who slept worst last night: Frederic Vasseur
Formula 1
Formula 1
Mexican GP
15 h
Who slept worst last night: Frederic Vasseur
Latest news
NASCAR Cup Homestead finale to feature full field of 40 cars
NASCAR Cup
NAS NASCAR Cup
Martinsville II
20 min
NASCAR Cup Homestead finale to feature full field of 40 cars
Data reveals severity of Carson Hocevar's brake-check: "There's no denying it"
NASCAR Cup
NAS NASCAR Cup
Martinsville II
1 h
Data reveals severity of Carson Hocevar's brake-check: "There's no denying it"
Honda Racing US echoes Porsche urgency over unified 2030 rules framework
IMSA
IMSA IMSA 4 h
Honda Racing US echoes Porsche urgency over unified 2030 rules framework
Toto Wolff: Two sponsors left Mercedes after promoting Kimi Antonelli into F1
Formula 1
F1 Formula 1
Mexican GP
4 h
Toto Wolff: Two sponsors left Mercedes after promoting Kimi Antonelli into F1
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