F1: Is Retiring Schumacher The Greatest Ever?

As Michael Schumacher inches closer toward retirement, SPEED's experts discuss the seven-time champion's legacy...

SPEED Staff | Posted November 16, 2012 Charlotte, NC

Michael Schumacher is ready to drive again, even if only for a special event. (Photo: LAT Photographic)

IS THE RETIRING SCHUMACHER THE GREATEST FORMULA ONE DRIVER OF ALL TIME?

Seven-time Formula One champion Michael Schumacher inches one race closer to retirement this weekend at the inaugural United States Grand Prix at the brand-new Circuit of the Americas. Schumacher will retire from driving following next week’s season finale in the Brazilian Grand Prix, begging the question of whether he is the greatest Formula One driver of all time or not. Below, SPEED on-air personalities weigh in on the debate:

“Racing is a numbers game. Results are what matter and nobody has Schumacher's numbers.”
--Dave Despain, host of Wind Tunnel

“I would have trouble ranking Michael Schumacher as the greatest driver ever. His record speaks for itself; you do not luck into 91 victories and seven world titles. Like Tiger Woods in golf, Michael demonstrated a commitment to fitness and race craft that caused every other driver to reconsider his approach to the profession. But I believe we have every right to expect sportsmanship from our superstars, and on more than one occasion Michael showed he was willing to sacrifice ethical behavior in the name of winning, including deliberately turning his car into Jacques Villeneuve's in Jerez 1997. He is certainly in the conversation considering his complete body of work, but I could not name him the greatest for those occasions when his dark side got the better of him.”
--Bob Varsha, voice of Formula One on SPEED

“I think Ayrton Senna was the best ever but Schumacher certainly needs to be in that discussion. With five consecutive world championships, 91 race victories and a number of records that never will be broken, what Schumacher has done really is remarkable.”
--Tom Jensen, SPEED.com Editor-in-Chief

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