Webber: Schumacher will not dominate
Mark Webber has written off Michael Schumacher’s chances of a runaway repeat of previous world title successes.
Schumacher was back in action at a grand prix weekend yesterday for the first time in three-and-a-half years, cementing his comeback in practice ahead of tomorrow’s season-opening Bahrain Grand Prix.
Not for the first time in the pre-season build-up, though, the seven-times champion on Thursday played down his chances of victory at the circuit in the desert.
But after yesterday’s two 90-minute sessions at Sakhir, Schumacher and Mercedes GP team-mate Nico Rosberg certainly looked strong as they finished third and first quickest respectively, with the 41-year-old half a second down.
Schumacher’s return has been welcomed by all in F1, although there are a few who have expressed concerns he could again dominate as he often did in the past during his time at Ferrari.
Webber, however, is of a contrary opinion as he said: “Don’t worry, he won’t.
“It’s great for the sport (he has returned) as he’s a really edgy character who has done amazing things in his first career and he’s coming back for a second career.
“I take my hat off to him. It’s a big-balls decision to come back and have a go, and as a competitor you have to admire that.
“But we won’t have the 60-to-70-second victories like we did in the past. It’s not going to happen.
“He’ll win some races and maybe he will win the title in the three years (of his contract with Mercedes), but it’s not going to be as straightforward as it maybe was in the past.”
Webber was this week labelled “a dark horse” for the title by team principal Christian Horner who feels the Australian is a far more confident driver following his two race wins last year.
The 33-year-old is also fitter than at any time in his F1 career, in particular in comparison to the start of last season as he was still recovering from a cycling accident in which he broke a leg and shoulder three months before the start.
Assessing his championship prospects, Webber is refusing to write himself off, adding: “There was a big window of last year where it went very well for me.
“But then at Valencia and Monza the team lost a lot of points, so there were parts of the championship we didn’t deliver and that’s ultimately why we didn’t get any championship.
“You don’t need to be a rocket scientist to work out you need to be consistent, and I fully believe I can be consistent at all venues and do a good job to a higher level.
“Now whether that’s enough, none of us know. I’m certainly more composed having the victories, and they weren’t given to me. I had to work for them.
“They are victories that give me confidence and they are victories that make me want to go and get more.”
