The career of Michael Schumacher is record
breaking in many ways. Poles, wins, titles - the German reigns
supreme. One area he can also claim superiority in is sheer
longevity, with this year's Belgian Grand Prix marking the twenty
first anniversary of his Formula One debut. It is a remarkable
landmark, and at forty three years old, the German is eagerly
awaiting a third season for Mercedes with the hope of returning to
the rostrum. But what lies beyond?
Schumacher's return to the sport in 2010 came as a
monumental surprise, albeit slightly tempered by his ill fated
attempt to replace injured friend Felipe Massa at Ferrari in the
final rounds of 2009. Still, this was a man who had bowed out on
such a high, stepping off the roller coaster at the very peak of
his powers. Brazil 2006. 91 wins, 7 titles. His head held high, he
drove into the sunset, set for a lifetime of comfortable advisory
work in Maranello.
When the sun rose again, more than three years had
passed and Schumacher was sitting at the wheel of a Mercedes W01,
having set up office in Brackley. The prospect of a racing return
had lit a competitive fire in the world's greatest racing driver.
He felt "alive again". The man who drove Ayrton Senna to
distraction now turned his attention to Sebastian Vettel.
Sadly, he was drubbed. The Silver Arrows weren't
up to scratch, and a host of rule changes ensured that the old
master rarely troubled those at the very front, even slipping
embarrassingly far behind team-mate Rosberg. Uneasy fans voiced
concern over his future, but Schumi ploughed on. His second season
at the team did not gift him better machinery - if anything, the
German manufacturer's second incarnation was worse. But this time,
the old Michael shone through. A handful of magical moments,
including a genuine prospect of second place in a wet Canada, and a
bitter scrap with Rosberg throughout the year. The spark was still
there.
So what of the future? This third year at the team
marks a pivotal moment for Schumacher. If Mercedes can
finally retrieve the form which saw them claim both world titles
under the Brawn banner, then the sniff of glory should spur Schumi
on to revisit past glories. He looks to have the measure of Rosberg
on race day but his qualifying pace appears to be missing in
action. There is enough form there though to suggest that given the
right circumstances, Michael could - whisper it - win again.
But if either party does not deliver, then it is
surely game over. This is a man who is closer to fifty than thirty.
Does he really want to spend his middle age trawling the world,
away from his children, in search of an elusive eighth world title?
A man as competitive as Schumacher would rather sit at home
polishing past trophies than scrapping over the lower points.
A win, even a handful of podiums this year, and we
may see the legend continue a little longer. Anything else, and we
will surely see him turn his back on F1 forever.