Bernie Ecclestone, Formula One’s commercial rights-holder, has refused to write off Michael Schumacher despite his less than convincing return to the sport.
The seven-times world champion has returned to the grid this season after a three-year retirement, only to find himself not only trailing well behind the three other champions on the grid — Jenson Button, Lewis Hamilton and Fernando Alonso — but trounced by Nico Rosberg, his young team-mate at Mercedes.
Schumacher has retained his steely resilience despite an onslaught of criticism and as far as Ecclestone is concerned, he is still in the chase for an eighth World Championship with 15 races still to come.
“Anybody who criticises Michael is wrong. He deserves better,” Ecclestone said. “I would say don’t underestimate Michael. Give him time to adapt to the new car and the new tyres. At the moment he’s something of a newbie who has to get accustomed to the trade again.” Times Online
“Michael would have never returned had he not been convinced that he can do the job. He is not a tourist in the paddock, he’s here to win. And he will win again.”
Schumacher’s younger brother Ralf has also defender him. Speaking to the German newspaper Bild, Ralf said: “He himself knew that, after a three-year break, he could not go in and win again straightaway like before. But the expectations from outside were, of course, very big. Clearly Michael probably hoped to be somewhat nearer the front after four races.” The Guardian
“People, go easy with your criticism, stay fair,” he said. “Michael has always managed it and he’ll do so again.”
Ralf Schumacher said his brother had also had some bad luck with a technical problem in Malaysia and a collision in Melbourne, and is not so far off the major points as it would seem.
“I think a good result is possible soon,” he said. Times Live
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