Bridgestone Boss gives detailed insights on Michael Schumacher

[z2252314]

Some interesting things on Schumacher, Barrichello, and Hakkinen on this site.
http://ms.bridgestone.co.jp/en/hp/b...orner_en?sid=73


"Back then was the golden age of special qualifying tyres, which you could use for F3000 qualifying. The special qualifying tyres only had enough grip to last a lap and a half. They were unique to Japan, so Michael had never used them. On the night before the qualifying runs, he came to the Bridgestone garage and launched into an endless stream of questions. He started with the characteristics of the special qualifying tyres, then went on to ask where the other drivers would go for it, and how fast they would drive up to that point... things we had no idea how to answer.

At any rate, using Kazuyoshi Hoshino's times and other drivers' times as examples, we explained how we thought things might turn out.

Here's where the story gets interesting. Time was passing; it was getting late, but Michael was still checking out his car in the pits. His teammate Johnny Herbert had gone back to the hotel much earlier.

But Michael was still there, looking over two undertrays. He started carefully running his hands over them. Then he called over a mechanic and said, "Can you swap the bottom plate of my undertray with the one next to it? My trayfs all roughed up." The mechanics don't usually swap parts between teammates' cars, but Michael wouldn't take no for an answer and on that occasion they went ahead and made the swap.

That year Michael was driving a Ralt, not a very good machine. But he made the most of his tyres in qualifying and had a great run. He finished second in the race Ð and that was his first time ever driving in it."


And this is interesting about Hakkinen:

"I'm pleased to say that when Michael raced go-karts as a kid, he used Bridgestone tyres. Sometimes he reminisces about those days, and incredibly enough he actually remembers the serial numbers of the tyres! That really took me by surprise!

In F1 too, he can accurately reproduce the conditions of the car and tyres and provide us with accurate information. It's like each lap is recorded on DVD. Even among F1 drivers, that's a rare talent. Most of them have a perfect memory of what went wrong, but not many can remember what went right.

Michael can tell us exactly what happened on each corner, good and bad. As a tyre engineer, this information is very helpful. At the same time, if he doesn't know something, he'll just say, "I don't know." Hoshino is the same way. Drivers who are confident aren't afraid to say straight out, "I don't know." They don't waste words.

And it's not just the races... Michael goes all out in testing as well. I probably shouldn't compare, but when Mika Hakkinen did long-run testing, he went all-out at the beginning and end, but then eased off a bit in the middle. Michael goes flat-out every single lap. He understands the importance of testing, and he does it right. That's another strength of his, this very serious approach to testing.

I recall when Mika did give 100% in testing: after he'd won his first two races and it looked like he could win the championship! But Michael always thinks about the whole season and keeps his motivation high. Even in F1, not many guys can do that.


When Michael goes into the pits on a test, as long as the car isn't actually broken, he'll keep going. He never takes his seatbelt off or anything while the car is being worked on. His mental and physical abilities are tremendous. During pit stops it's just like he's sitting there battling an imaginary opponent.

This year, there was a difficult time when he wasn't winning. There were some tough meetings. But Michael said, "I believe Bridgestone can do it." He was ready to go with the tyres we made. I was really moved. I also felt sharp and focused. That's when I understood his power to lead the team. "


"At Silverstone in 2003, Michael and Rubens went into the pit at the same time. Michael simply said, "They're giving us a tough race, aren't they?" Not only is he always calm, but under whatever circumstances he maintains a positive attitude: "All you can do is your best." Rubens was riled up about falling back in position, but he kept his eye on the future and ran his race. These are drivers who know what they have to do, and do it. When we're giving technical presentations about the tyres, they both pay close attention. It's especially noticeable how seriously Michael takes it.


Rubens is a passionate driver... typically Brazilian."

"As for being superhuman... well, his body fat is only 5%! If he's in a meeting and there's air conditioning that's blowing on him, even the slightest breeze, he'll say, "Could you turn that down?" He's very sensitive to the cold. Even wearing that hot, heavy racing suit, I've never seen him sweat. Me, I break into a sweat just looking at the pit!

But it's not like he's on a strict diet. He eats large portions of meat, he loves fatty tuna sushi. He eats ice cream and other sweets. He eats a lot of pasta. He eats a lot and he exercises a lot. The paddock has a trailer that serves as a training gym, but I haven't seen him work out there much. Maybe he exercises somewhere else. All I know is, if I ate like he does, I'd be three times the weight I am now!"

[Gt_R]

It's good to hear credible assessments of drivers from people who actually know and work with them, rather than assumed and made up theories of armchair experts yah?

Simply, unmatched hardwork + unmatched talent + unmatched commitment = unmatched driver!

[Adam43]

I've never heard anything so conclusive. I just need to go away and think about what it is being conclusive about.

As I am unsure. I will say this: Micheal is a top driver and those others mentioned are too...

[Jukebox]

not suprising at all to hear of the qualities of the most gifted driver ever!

[JohnSSC]

Perhaps Michael's greatest attribute is his focus - based on the above it seems that the knowledge he gains becomes part of him rather than just something he can recall. Like it is ALL THERE all the time.

[freud]

Originally posted by Jukebox
.... most gifted driver ever!

That is an assumption, not a fact. MS may be the best driver of his generation but you cannot compare him with drivers of other eras.

As for the bridgestone boss... good to hear from him. I am sure Ferrari is not planning to go 'Michelin' anytime soon.

[Jukebox]

If there are others in the future that could beat all of his achievements and records then only the 'ever' thingy be dropped.

My assumption or not, read the statistics freud

[Mouser]

Michael is not my favorite F1 driver,but I have a greater
appreciation for him after reading these tidbits of his
dedication to securing the best finish possible.
It is truly inspiring to know that this man cares so much
about his team's efforts that he is willing to spend enough
time working with them to get it right.
No wonder he is full of smiles when he wins-he earned it in
the garage,as well as the track.

[freud]

Juke..

There are Five kinds of lies:
Lies
Damned Lies,
Statistics,
Politicians quoting statistics
and Novellists quoting Politicians on Statistics.

--Stephen K Tagg

[ljakse]

This clears only thing I never understood about Schumacher - the fact that he never sweats. I was allways amased how fresh he looks after the race at any weather. This explains it.

[golem]

I wouldn't say he is the most gifted, but he may well be the most opportunistic. And that's a good thing. Other drivers will let opportunities pass them by, but I think if an opportunity is there, Michael will always be one of the people to spot it and work out how to best use it.

He may or may not have the innate steering feel, throttle adjustment etc of Clark for example. Clark had nowhere near the history and training in motorsport that the drivers nowadays have, yet the guy was brilliant regardless. He just got in and communicated with the car, and that was it.

So yeah, comparisons are hard to make in terms of driving skill. But for being a WDC, driving skill hasn't always been the most important thing. Michael has the right qualities of testing, knowledge, opportunism, fight and courage etc.
Someone like Brabham was similar in that he most probably wasn't the fastest driver for his year in raw driving terms. But he had a combo of pace and technical knowledge, he knew alot about the engineering side of his cars and he took his own team to a WDC. There's more to winning WDC than just being a good driver. If you're smart enough to know how to make your car better compared to a quick guy who couldn't give good feedback, it's just another way to the same goal.

[Hugh Jarce]

Really interesting read - as ever - only the truly dedicated get to the top!

[RWC]

Allways great to to hear inside info!!

[enemy-ace]

No doubting the guys talent and drive to succeed, but wouldn't the following be considered a little unethical?

Originally posted by z2252314
Here's where the story gets interesting. Time was passing; it was getting late, but Michael was still checking out his car in the pits. His teammate Johnny Herbert had gone back to the hotel much earlier.

But Michael was still there, looking over two undertrays. He started carefully running his hands over them. Then he called over a mechanic and said, "Can you swap the bottom plate of my undertray with the one next to it? My trayfs all roughed up." The mechanics don't usually swap parts between teammates' cars, but Michael wouldn't take no for an answer and on that occasion they went ahead and made the swap.

[JohnSSC]

Somehow, I knew that some character flaw in Michael could be verified however innocent the article...

[Gt_R]

Yeah, he could just sneeze from the cold and some would criticise him for speading diseases...

[Jukebox]

Originally posted by freud
Juke..

There are Five kinds of lies:
Lies
Damned Lies,
Statistics,
Politicians quoting statistics
and Novellists quoting Politicians on Statistics.

--Stephen K Tagg

you think car manufacturers would just do nothin if your imagination is true?

williams n macs didn't do enuf to be on the same step as ferrari n don deny that he's the most consistent driver...oh sure why not, there must be conspiracy at work! get real freud

[climb]

It sorta confirms what I siad about MS' commitment in a recent thread!

[avsfan733]

That is a really cool article...really kinda shows that its not just about talent its about the pure heart and hard work which MS puts into it. Wether or not you like him you gotta respect that level of preparation and attention to detail.

[Dutton]

Whilst I would agree with what the article says, since I think the point it is getting across is really pretty well known and cannot be denied easily.

However, the other aspect is that Bridgestone are hardly going to go and start criticising the driver who is their most likely (well, when it comes down to it, only) hope for securing the WDC - and a significant component in helping Ferrari obtain their only hope of a WCC.

[freud]

Originally posted by Gt_R
Yeah, he could just sneeze from the cold and some would criticise him for speading diseases...

Gt_r.. this just doesnt make any sense. Michael's harshest critics on this forum (I wouldnt name them but there are many) have been very generous in admitting his talent in the cockpit. Please dont distort the facts... thanks.

Jukebox..

[300kph]

Good dig z22...

I am not an MS fan although I admire his ability on handling his racing career as a whole... I presume that he has everything a driver could ask for...Driving ESP with ABS, Cars, Staff, Luck, Marketing, you name it... and these are all fruits of his works and ... and, oh, he has the greatest population of F1 fans too.....

The thread tries to stress how phenomenal the man is and it is really a great post for all MS fans out there but it is also true that that "bottom plate undertray" thing should not be there... it is a spoiler, it only give a negative impression on the man... z22 has no fault.

All F1 drivers are gifted and they are all drive fast and have their own special treats although lots of factors determine their career and in the end, one will have more luck than the other and sometimes the fastest driver is not the world champion...

[Attila]

Come on!!! Everybody here sais that TGF is not the fastest driver out there. He has not only won one or two WDCs, but six and is pretty close to his seventh. I am not a TGF fan, but one has to admit that right now he is the best of the bests. That also includes his driving abilities. I do not see how people can claim otherwise. He is not a nice bloke, he is arrogant, egoistic, bigheaded.. etc., but his is the best racecar driver in the world period (.) :-)

[300kph]

...Fernando Alonso might not agree with you though.... and I am wondering, if you are not an MS fan, how emotional your post has been... 'just wonderin'...

[Mattracer]

Originally posted by Attila
He has not only won one or two WDCs, but six and is pretty close to his seventh.

Ermm, way early. 16 races to go...