Brawn clarifies comments on Schumacher’s condition

69 comments on “Brawn clarifies comments on Schumacher’s condition”

1. 

   Maciek (@maciek)
   15th November 2016, 0:36

   If anyone has a (non-UK exclusive) link to Verstappen’s onboard from those closing laps I will pay 1 million internet points posthaste.
   1. 

      The Duke
      15th November 2016, 5:21

      Just search YouTube for “how to race in the wet” – you’ll find many results even, driving school 101 level videos that show exactly what Max did.

      His drive wasn’t as amazing as the fact the other drivers forgot the basics.
      1. 

         ColdFly F1 (@)
         15th November 2016, 6:25

         Always refreshing to know that the real experts are typing away at 200+ on a cyrillic keyboard and staring at a fogged up screen ;-)
         1. 

            The Duke
            15th November 2016, 7:04

            You think they hit 200 in Brazil in the rain?

            Long time fan huh?
            1. 

               anon
               15th November 2016, 7:40

               The Duke, he didn’t specify whether or not he was talking in miles per hour of kilometres per hour.

               Mind you, the speed trap data for the race shows that the drivers were almost hitting 200mph – Magnussen was clocked at 318kph, or 198mph, during that race, and the majority (15 out of 21) drivers were recorded as hitting top speeds in excess of 310kph (or over 192mph) over the start finish line.
            2. 

               ColdFly F1 (@)
               15th November 2016, 7:42

               Fogged up a bit there Duke?
               Of course they went well over 200kph on the straight!
               (Max’ average speed was 181.846kph, and even he had to slow down in the corners)
            3. 

               ferrox glideh (@ferrox-glideh)
               15th November 2016, 12:13

               I assumed that you meant a typing speed of200 characters per minute :)
            4. 

               nase
               15th November 2016, 14:28

               @ anon
               Astonishing, isn’t it? I was under the impression that everyone was struggling to apply full throttle on the straights, but close to 320 kph in these conditions is pretty impressive.
   2. 

      Maciek (@maciek)
      15th November 2016, 5:21

      So yeah I still keep forgetting there’s way more F1 on youtube than there used to be… but watching that gotta say it’s molto impressive what Verstappen is doing at his age.
2. 

   Fer no.65 (@fer-no65)
   15th November 2016, 0:40

   Had he finished the race, Alonso’s Hungary 2006 would’ve been right up there with Senna’s Donington 1993 / Monaco 1984 and Schumacher’s Spain 1996, that’s for sure. Max was staggering last sunday, but Alonso’s progress on such a competitive field back then also deserves a mention among those great races.
   1. 

      Neel Jani (@neelv27)
      15th November 2016, 5:30

      I hear you @fer-no65. I still consider Alonso’s drive in Hungary in ’06 to be better than Senna’s drive in Donnington in ’93 and I’ve written about this a couple of times on this site. Although he didn’t finished the race, it wasn’t his fault at the end of the day.

      I draw parallels with VMax’s drive in Brazil as Alonso too took different lines to all his rivals on a track where overtaking is difficult even in dry conditions and more importantly in the heat of the championship battle.

      For me personally, I feel the following were the greatest drives I’ve seen in the wet:

      Senna – Donnington ’93
      Schumacher – Catalunya ’96
      Alonso – Hunagary ’06
      Hamilton – Fuji ’07
      Hamilton – Britain ’08
      VMax – Brazil ’16
      1. 

         Todfod (@todfod)
         15th November 2016, 6:42

         I would put Raikonnen at suzuka in 2005 out there as well.. It was definitely more inspiring than Hamilton at fuji 2007
         1. 

            Mashiat (@mashiat)
            15th November 2016, 14:07

            @todfod That race wasn’t in the wet.
            1. 

               Todfod (@todfod)
               16th November 2016, 6:29

               @mashiat

               My bad. Suzuka quali was in the wet, the race was dry.
      2. 

         frood19 (@frood19)
         15th November 2016, 9:42

         I would add stewart at the ‘Ring in ’68, senna at estoril in ’85, schumacher at monaco and spa in ’97. and a special one of mika salo in monaco ’97 – he finished 5th despite making no pitstop for fuel or tyres or for the front wing he broke early in the race (the race only managed 62 of the usual 78 laps when the 2 hours limit was reached).

         another that springs to mind is frentzen’s win at magny-cours in ’99 – but a number of drivers were completely outstanding that day.
      3. 

         Daniel
         15th November 2016, 12:42

         Barrichello in Donnington 93 was also outstanding, third race of hos career, running as high as third untol retiring with a mechanical problem a few laps from the flag
      4. 

         David Bell
         15th November 2016, 13:34

         What about Button Canada 2012? Was last 4 times? went through the pits 6 times? and won it on the last lap.
         1. 

            grat
            15th November 2016, 20:51

            2011. But yeah. The reason Button doesn’t get as much credit as he deserves, is it wasn’t flashy– it was just a really, really solid drive that got maximum benefit out of changing conditions.

            Here’s my complaint– Max passed everyone who had a worse car than him in the wet (and Ricciardo). Had Hamilton given a performance like that (like, say, in Hungary 2014), it would only be because the car was superior– but everyone keeps claiming the RB12 is the greatest car out there in the wet, so shouldn’t Max have been passing people all over the place?
            1. 

               Selbbin (@selbbin)
               15th November 2016, 22:37

               Yeah, I wasn’t as super impressed as everyone else seems to be. Passing Saubers and Manors with bad drivers on old tires, with a Red Bull on fresh rubber isn’t anything to crow about. Maybe passing Vettel quickly was reasonable, but the rest… meh.
3. 

   Kazihno (@kazinho)
   15th November 2016, 1:27

   Benson should take his patriotic glasses off. That was utter tripe.
   1. 

      nase
      15th November 2016, 14:29

      @kazinho
      Yeah, that was a cringy read.
   2. 

      Strontium (@strontium)
      15th November 2016, 23:39

      @kazinho I very much agree. I’ve never been a fan of his but that was almost shamefully ridiculous. If I were the BBC I wouldn’t have allowed that to be published. Their articles are supposed to be unbiased after all.
      1. 

         richardlamp
         16th November 2016, 22:44

         +1 to all above. I vomited a little in my mouth reading that ‘article’. If Hitler had as ardent a sycophantic supporter in the media, he would have been Time Magazine’s “Man of the Year”….errr…hold on a minute…..
4. 

   Tristan
   15th November 2016, 4:17

   Got me wondering where one would find the on board footage now…
5. 

   Phylyp (@phylyp)
   15th November 2016, 5:17

   Given that nearly every statement about Schumacher’s condition has later been stated as being a misquote, maybe anyone who has anything to do with Schumacher or F1 should just refrain from making any comment about his condition.

   When someone like Brawn’s words are taken out of context, it just shows the media are incorrigible. And since the media don’t change their spots, its best for the others to refrain making comments like these, and just direct them to Schumacher’s PR team/press contact.
   1. 

      SoLiDG (@solidg)
      15th November 2016, 7:06

      It doesn’t really say he was misquoted. I read it as the family didn’t like him speaking about it.
      So let’s hope he has shown positive sings..
   2. 

      petebaldwin (@)
      15th November 2016, 10:14

      He wasn’t. The family told him off for talking about Schumacher so he’s backtracked. It’s been said lots of times before but this will keep happening over and over and over and over and over whilst they try and keep everything quiet.
      1. 

         Phylyp (@phylyp)
         15th November 2016, 10:41

         @solidg @petebaldwin – Thanks for clearing that up. Even so, my point would stand, and I think people should respect the family by not commenting about Schumacher.

         Every time I read something about his condition, it inevitably raises my hopes, but the subsequent clarification/backtracking takes that away. At least for me, no news is better than inconsistent news.
         1. 

            kpcart
            15th November 2016, 11:14

            For you maybe, for others it means his condition is dire. I highly doubt the family will one day release a media release stating “Michael has completed his recovery”. Its pretty easy to it 1+1 here in this situation.
      2. 

         David Bell
         15th November 2016, 13:39

         I understand the reasoning for keeping it all behind closed doors etc, but i have to admit i disagree with shouting someone down because they made a broad comment. It’s borderline censorship, he said he was improving, that is such a broad term and i know most people will assume just getting better but it’s not like he delved in to his medical records for god sake.
   3. 

      knoxploration
      15th November 2016, 20:45

      Or better still, if there is misinformation, perhaps Schumacher’s team could do something to dispel it. With their total vaccuum, it is inevitable that rumors and second-hand stories will prevail. The truth being public knowledge does not in any way change Schumacher’s outcome, and nor can it be more painful for the family than to have endless rumors and fake stories about him.

      It’s time for the blackout to end and for the family’s representatives to release a simple, brief statement with some truth, if they don’t want the rumors continuing.
      1. 

         Robbie (@robbie)
         15th November 2016, 22:09

         I get that sentiment, I really do, but I just suspect that even if they made a statement it would not dispel some media from spinning things to their liking, or from then wanting more and more. Some media would be far more respectful than others. I wonder if indeed it did quell the rumours, perhaps the family would have already done that, but the fact that they haven’t simply means to me it is how they want it right now…they want to remain silent, they want privacy, and this is their approach to getting that, and nobody else’s opinion matters as far as they are concerned.

         They would be well aware of the support they are getting from those they know to be their true fans, friends and family, and if those wishing to hear news are frustrated, imagine how they must feel at not having news to bring yet. It’s just a tough, sad situation all around with no easy answers…except the one that has them seeking privacy and not speaking publicly. I won’t profess to know their complete reasoning of course, but I wonder if they ‘simply’ want him to be remembered as the icon he is in the history of F1.
   4. 

      Selbbin (@selbbin)
      15th November 2016, 22:48

      I’d love to have the job of Schumacher’s PR contact. All I’d have to say is “No Comment”.
6. 

   Phylyp (@phylyp)
   15th November 2016, 5:23

   In the F1 driver power rankings article, Reuters’ caption for Massa’s photo states “Felipe Massa … had to withdraw from the race due to car problems”

   ‘Car problems’ made me chuckle. Yes, his car had problems, it was missing various bits at its various corners!
7. 

   Phylyp (@phylyp)
   15th November 2016, 5:28

   And on another different topic and article, Sainz’s makes good and sensible points in the crash.net article. Its not just the excerpt quoted above, but a lot of his other thoughts that make that article worth a read. It’s good to see yet another driver voicing a meaningful and frank opinion.
   1. 

      hahostolze (@hahostolze)
      15th November 2016, 7:19

      Yeah I’ve always found Sainz to have good and clear views. Seems a good one to have on the GPDA for instance.
8. 

   hahostolze (@hahostolze)
   15th November 2016, 7:16

   Sainz is right, there’s something wrong about Whiting going to press conferences explaining decisions.

   Also, where can I find these onboards, Keith?
   1. 

      anon
      15th November 2016, 7:47

      @hahostolze, I feel it was because there were a lot of people who were publicly attacking Whiting over the decision by the stewards to penalise Verstappen but not Hamilton – given that Verstappen seems to be the darling of the media, he probably wanted to try and head off the possibility of a sustained media attack on him and the stewards for the decision, even if perhaps it didn’t work as he’d hoped it would.
   2. 

      BasCB (@bascb)
      15th November 2016, 13:26

      I agree too. As Sainz mentions, Whiting being there shows they did a bad job of explaining their verdicts from the race before. A recurring issue.

      And I certainly agree with his proposal to get together after the season and hammer out a more clear view of do’s and don’ts during the off season to give the stewards a clearer, more consistent frame to operate within for the future.
   3. 

      Keith Collantine (@keithcollantine)
      15th November 2016, 15:30

      @hahostolze I don’t know if it’s online anywhere – obviously that partly depends you your local broadcaster/s are. At least until Liberty sort things out…
9. 

   DB-C90 (@dbradock)
   15th November 2016, 8:20

   Really pleased for Force India, they’ve had a great year with some impressive drives.

   I’m just hoping that they haven’t sacrificed any of their 2017 development to achieve it especially after Ocons performance on Sunday as I’m looking forward to seeing if he does as well in a better car as I think he will.
10. 

    Ben Needham (@ben-n)
    15th November 2016, 10:02

    I know it’s a sensitive subject, but I’m very disappointed with the way the family/management of Michael Schumacher have handled the media with regards to his condition.

    Surely all this speculation, updates and retractions etc. is more painful than providing an annual update. I know the public aren’t entitled to know anything about this private matter, but the fact is that most fans aren’t being nosy or prying, we genuinely care. The interest will not go away.

    Schumacher was one of my heroes growing up and I wish the family could just say something like “Currently, Michael is like this… we’ll update you next time there is anything to update you with.” That way, we wouldn’t have to cling to the words of Ross Brawn/Jean Todt/Luca di Montezemolo for any sign of hope.
    1. 

       Phylyp (@phylyp)
       15th November 2016, 10:46

       @ben-n – yep, I fully agree. A statement directly from the family once every few months would be nice, even if we’re not entitled to it. In today’s world, its even easier for the family’s PR team to keep Schumacher’s legions of fans up dated via Twitter or similar means, and not be reliant directly on the press or other individuals to disseminate the info.

       I keep getting annoyed when these other people give us hope with their comments, only to take it away with their later clarifications.
11. 

    PorscheF1 (@xtwl)
    15th November 2016, 11:39

    At the bottom of the Sainz article, which is great I found this tweet;

    Gutierrez blasts Haas dismissal after one season as ‘not fair’

    Had a little laugh. He got a undeserved second chance and now he’s saying he deserves a third? He’s as impressive as a Lada in a sportscar meeting…
12. 

    Patrick (@paeschli)
    15th November 2016, 12:43

    2013: Hulkenberg 51 – Gutierrez 6
    2014: Sutil 0 – Gutierrez 0
    2016: Grosjean 29 – Gutierrez 0

    Compeletely agree, beaten be every team-mate he has had in his career.
    1. 

       Selbbin (@selbbin)
       15th November 2016, 22:43

       Another journeyman. Not a career driver. Won’t miss him.
13. 

    Joao (@johnmilk)
    15th November 2016, 13:05

    I cringed reading trough that BBC article, not a single drop of merit for Rosberg, I also think Hamilton is the better driver but that was just poor reading. He his their fellow countryman, but at least a bit of moderation.

    And that “excuses graph” as I will call it from now on, just ridiculous, poor starts don’t have nothing to do with luck, it is skill, it is the same for everybody. BTW, mercedes fitted a new flap on LH’s steering wheel to help him with the starts, we did not had the chance to see if it was effective in Brasil (this info is available on the F1 official website)
    1. 

       Damon85
       15th November 2016, 14:42

       What praise did he deserve, the man was fortunate to get 2nd place and fortunate he didn’t end up in the wall.
       1. 

          Joao (@johnmilk)
          15th November 2016, 14:44

          I am talking about the whole season. Have you read the article?
       2. 

          Strontium (@strontium)
          15th November 2016, 23:45

          By that logic, what praise does Verstappen deserve? He too was fortunate to not end up in the wall.
          1. 

             Gigantor (@kbdavies)
             16th November 2016, 11:44

             “By that logic, what praise does Verstappen deserve? He too was fortunate to not end up in the wall”

             Why do we have to suspend logic and make statements like this? Whist Max and Rosberg had significant wobbles, Max’s drive MORE that makes up for this – hence the praise and adulation. He was pushing hard trying to catch Lewis when it happened. What is Rosberg’s excuse?
             1. 

                Strontium (@strontium)
                16th November 2016, 11:54

                @kbdavies What’s Vettel’s excuse, Raikkonen’s excuse, Ericsson’s excuse, Grosjean’s excuse, etc.? Surely the ‘excuse’ is the conditions of the track. Some didn’t spin, and well done to them, but it’s perfectly excusable for those who did.
    2. 

       Gigantor (@kbdavies)
       15th November 2016, 16:58

       Why should there be “moderation”? So you can feel better? The article has simply said it the way it is. EVEN with the bad starts, qualifying issues and engine penalties, Lewis would STILL be leading the WDC – if not for the DNF at Malaysia.
       How difficult is that for you to understand? Rosberg’s drive at Brazil was simply shameful.
       1. 

          Strontium (@strontium)
          15th November 2016, 23:48

          @kbdavies How was it ‘shameful’? He kept calm and drove to a cool second place. He wasn’t on the same level as Hamilton, but ‘shameful’. No.

          The only thing that was shameful is that Benson guy. His journalism has always been rubbish and today it hit a new low. The article makes it look as though Rosberg has done nothing good all season. We all know that if Rosberg wins then it’s because he’s put himself in a position to do so. There’s no disputing that the engine failure was unfortunate, but you can’t discredit Rosberg for that.
          1. 

             Joao (@johnmilk)
             16th November 2016, 11:33

             Thank you @strontium, I really don’t know how clearer I have to make myself when I said I was talking about the whole season, and the unfair and absurd comparison that the article makes about the two drivers.

             I even started my comment saying that I too believe that Hamilton is the better one, but that does not mean that Rosberg didn’t do a good job during the season, I guess some people really are fanatics.
             1. 

                Strontium (@strontium)
                16th November 2016, 11:54

                +1 @johnmilk
          2. 

             Gigantor (@kbdavies)
             16th November 2016, 11:37

             No. If Rosberg wins, it is because Lewis’s engine blew up in Malaysia, and Rosberg’s didn’t. Surely, he is not responsible for Lewis’s engine blowing up, as much as he is not responsible for his own not blowing up too. So whilst you cannot discredit him for that, you cannot credit him for it either. How hard is this to understand?

             His drive was shameful because he was significantly humbled by Max Versterppen. And by Lewis. In the wet.
             And if Rosberg has done “something” good all season, then Lewis has done amazingly well to be just 19points off the lead – considering all the issues he has had; even when you take into account any mistakes each driver has made over the course of this season. See?
             1. 

                Joao (@johnmilk)
                16th November 2016, 12:38

                @kbdavies you are reading too much into what I am saying or you are just simply ignoring it.

                My comment is referring to the article and how it was written, and I think (IMO) that is an unfair comparison. Rosberg did a good job during the season, he has gotten the wins that putted him in the position he is now, regardless of the reason. And remember even in Catalunya he didn’t finish because he and Ham crashed together.

                I haven’t mentioned any mechanical failures, or did I? please let me know, because I am pretty sure I didn’t

                The fact that I think that Rosberg did a good job during the season, does not mean I don’t think the same about Hamilton, or even as you say he has done “amazingly well”.

                I get it, you are an Hamilton fan, and for whatever reason you want to praise him and diminish his team-mate (which is a bit contradictory if you ask me). But even though you might fail to identify it, there is middle ground if we want to compare the drivers.

                You see now what I am trying to say?
14. 

    NewVerstappenFan (@jureo)
    15th November 2016, 16:39

    I agree with Horner 100%…

    What we saw was something we used to enjoy from Senna and Schumacher… Really an alltime great wet drive… Offcorse he didnt win though…

    What was really stark, was the contrast of driving lines… Why was only he using the obvious wet lines? Other drivers cannot be that incompetent not to try them were they?

    Seemed to me, like the obvious lines and I am no expert, why did other drivers ignore those lines?
    1. 

       Gigantor (@kbdavies)
       15th November 2016, 16:54

       Lewis also used different lines – as confirmed by Max in one of the interviews. Seemed it was only the two of them who did this.
       1. 

          krxx
          15th November 2016, 18:04

          It’s impossible for you to have seen every drivers’ lines at every corner. At least one other driver used the wider lines dubbed as the karting lines, namely Ric. But using different lines doesn’t make you necessarily faster.
          1. 

             Gigantor (@kbdavies)
             16th November 2016, 11:39

             @krxx –
             So Max is lying? And you know better? He claimed Lewis was the ONLY driver using different lines like he was using. Sigh…..
    2. 

       Selbbin (@selbbin)
       15th November 2016, 22:42

       According to Verstappen himself he took those lines so he could see. It seemed to be that the Red Bull was the only car that really handled the wets well, which is probably why they gambled with the intermediates hoping they’d be even better.
15. 

    Gigantor (@kbdavies)
    15th November 2016, 16:47

    All this about Max not driving on the racing line…..but we forgot there another driver who did the same. This was Lewis Hamilton. We know because Max said so himself.

    It is a testament to how good Lewis is (and evidence of different standards) that his imperious drive is considered almost par for the course for him, and overshadowed by Max’s scintillating, but not quite flawless one. Some people have even claimed Max was on for a win had RBR got this strategy right. Yeah right!
    1. 

       krxx
       15th November 2016, 18:00

       lol
    2. 

       Strontium (@strontium)
       16th November 2016, 0:02

       @kbdavies It’s not an unreasonable claim. After Verstappen had cleared Sainz on lap 67, even with Perez to pass he was lapping comfortably faster than Hamilton, by as much as 1.5 seconds per lap. There’s no way of knowing what would have happened if the strategy were correct, or if Hamilton could have matched this pace, or held Verstappen off. But it’s not an unreasonable thing to say.
       1. 

          Gigantor (@kbdavies)
          16th November 2016, 11:30

          It is quite unreasonable, as Christian and Max have said that the win was not on – all things being normal. Christian is on record as saying Lewis had too much pace for them to win. In fact, this was the reason they gambled on Inters – to try something drastic. But we should let the facts get in the way.
          1. 

             Gigantor (@kbdavies)
             16th November 2016, 11:30

             “shouldn’t”
16. 

    Robbie (@robbie)
    15th November 2016, 18:57

    As to Martin Brundle’s tweet…so if Mercedes bought a kettle, that would make it their ‘propertea?’

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