Schumacher is still capable of winning, according to Jean Todt
When asked about the performances of his former protégé since returning to Formula 1, Jean Todt, former director of Scuderia Ferrari, appears rather optimistic and expects a comeback from the seven-time world champion if he has a car capable of winning.
When it comes to talking about Michael Schumacher, Jean Todt is not the worst choice. Being well-acquainted with the German, with whom he collaborated from 1996 to 2006 at Ferrari, the Frenchman is the most likely to know what the seven-time world champion feels, as he faces numerous criticisms after performances deemed disappointing.
« Last year, Michael had to face some problems after his return, but success in F1 depends on a number of factors. You need to be a great driver, in the best car, and in one of the top teams. I think Mercedes has the resources and is capable of developing a car that matches his talent, but at the moment, he is not driving one of the best cars, » said Jean Todt to the Brazilian media outlet TotalRace.
Like many observers, the former director of Scuderia seems to indicate a certain lack of motivation from Schumacher, who may not be giving his all in a car he knows is incapable of winning: « So far, the results have been disappointing for Michael, but I have no doubt that in a car capable of winning, he can show what he is capable of achieving ». These statements are supported by the 2011 Canadian Grand Prix, during which the Mercedes GP driver had an excellent race, glimpsing his first podium since his return in 2010.
Jean Todt also wants to acknowledge this return: It was very important for the sport that a great driver like Michael came back to the forefront, which naturally led to a lot of speculation. He is among the greatest champions in the history of Formula 1. He won seven titles, five of them for Ferrari, and decided to end his career at 38. As a reminder, Michael Schumacher is currently 10th in the world championship standings with 32 points, sixteen less than his teammate Nico Rosberg. His best performance this season is a fourth place in Montreal under difficult conditions.
