The Hindu : Sport / Racing : Motor : Schumacher's success perfect for the sport: Ecclestone

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Saturday, Jul 24, 2004

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Sport - Racing : Motor

Schumacher's success perfect for the sport: Ecclestone

HOCKENHEIM (GERMANY), JULY 22. Formula One supremo Bernie Ecclestone has hailed the supremacy of Michael Schumacher ahead of a potentially record-breaking German GP for the world champion.

German Schumacher has dominated the sport in recent years, winning six world titles including the last four, and claiming an astonishing 45 wins from a possible 78 since the start of 2000. If he wins his 11th race of the season here at Hockenheim on Sunday then he will equal his 2002 record of victories in a season but will better that performance by clocking them up in five fewer races.

His total domination has turned many fans away from the sport but Ecclestone suggested he should be admired in the same way as golf's Tiger Woods or cycling's Lance Armstrong are praised for their achievements.

"Michael is a superstar and that is exactly what we wanted. Every sport needs a superstar and he is ours," said Formula One commercial rights holder Ecclestone.

"Everybody tries to beat him and that is great publicity for Formula One. He is lucky to drive for a team that supports him the way Ferrari does but it was Michael who motivated them after their initial problems."

Schumacher joined Ferrari in 1996 and turned them from also-ran to unbeatable world champion within just four seasons and could help it secure its sixth consecutive world title on Sunday.

Ecclestone added, "He helped improve them and get to where they are now. It is hard to know whether another driver in the same position would have the same effect."

Schumacher has only won twice here in 11 attempts but he remains the hot favourite for victory this weekend and there is little to suggest he will be stopped in any of the remaining seven races of the season.

His successes, along with support from Brazilian teammate Rubens Barrichello, have helped rocket Ferrari to 174 points in the constructors' championship this year, more than double that of its closest rival Renault.

Ferrari could wrap up the constructors' title if it scores 13 more points than Renault in Sunday's Grand Prix.

And Renault technical chief Pat Symonds, who worked with Schumacher during his double-championship winning time at Benetton between 1991 and 1995, has been forced to admit the German driver is something special.

"From my point of view he is the complete racing driver and a very complete person," said Symonds. "He always pays attention to detail, is always mentally on the ball and is very competitive.

"In our sport, you could perhaps call him `Man of the Century'." — AFP

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