A few months ago, Mercedes might have been forgiven for wanting
rid of Michael Schumacher. It is true to say that in the last
two-and-a-half years the legendary German has produced larger
repair bills than points hauls. Yet just as his rivals were
congratulating themselves on conquering the seven times champion,
he has found a smattering of the form that previously made him so
formidable. The result? His future is once again in his own
hands.
It is strange that we should talk of Schumacher's resurgence when
this season has been the least successful of the three in terms of
outright points. However, this year the unrelenting story has been
of a fragile car hindering an in-form driver, the same of which
cannot be sent of prior underwhelming campaigns. For the first time
since his Ferrari swan song six years ago, Michael looks like a
driver capable of performing heroics on a permanent basis.
This year Schumacher has qualified on the front two rows on five
out of nine occasions, missing out on pole position in Monaco only
due to a five-place grid penalty incurred at the previous race.
However, the most important indication of his progress came with
his long awaited return to the rostrum in an attritional race
Valencia. There was undoubtedly some luck involved, but few would
begrudge him that given how many times he has been in contention
only to be struck down by the malovolent hand of fate.
This recent turnaround means that Mercedes are surely keen to
retain their ageing champion a little longer. The Schumacher name
alone carries such commercial weight that they would undoubtedly
keen the German on in some capacity, but whilst he is maintaining
such impressive form there is no reason to remove him from the
cockpit. He is now consistently matching younger team-mate Nico
Rosberg, who was last year given a long term contract
extension.
That leaves the decision to Schumacher. The forty-three year old
looks to be gaining real momentum in the cockpit and his team
appear to be heading in the right direction - their maiden win came
earlier this year courtesy of Rosberg. Given that his stated aim
was to win an eighth world championship, the German will be
reluctant to call time on his second career as that feat begins to
look vaguely achievable. Moreover, his palpable excitement at
reaching the podium reveals that his motivation is
undiminished.
However, there is a human aspect to his decision. He is a husband
and a father of two, and his severe motorbike accident three years
ago taught him that he values his health and competes in an
absurdly dangerous sport. Additionally, it is an occupation which
demands supreme physical fitness and dedication which keeps you
away from home for nine months of the year. When you are in your
mid-forties and unimaginably wealthy, it would be easy to choose
life out of the fast lane.
Whatever his decision, it will not only be the German who is
affected. The driver market and therefore the shape of the grid for
years to come revolve around Schumacher's decision, with possible
candidates for his seat including Hamilton, di Resta and Sutil. The
nature of the merry-go-round is such that the future of a number of
drivers depends on the whim of the seven times world champion. In a
bizarre way, the sport once more revolves around him.
At the end of the day, we are talking about Michael Schumacher. He
is a man who craves competition, thrives on challenge and adores
racing. Having made the mistake of stopping a little bit too early
six years ago, it is likely he will take a more considered approach
to the question of retirement this time around. Only one thing is
certain: with prospects of much of the grid seemingly resting on a
knife-edge, speculation will only increase as the summer wears
on.