Originally Posted by toronto
Originally Posted by sameerrao
That's just the way it is ... some are for him and some against.
F1 Racing is consistently for him.
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most british media is against him, i don't know why, but everyone seems to love JM
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I didn't want to specifically point this out earlier as there are British fans here on JW but it is sadly true.
Nigel Roebuck and a few others dont like Schumi much. At least Nigel respects Schumi for his abilities but he is always quick enough to undermine his achievements - "Yes it is a great win but where is the competition" or "won with questionable moves".
Let me attempt to point out the things I believe the British press hold against Schumi:
Fair Play
The British sense of fair play ranks very high in the minds of the press. I think that they try to compare everyone to Stirling Moss who would be the ideal embodiment of a British Racing Driver - brilliant on the track, scrupulously fair, belief that Racing is noble art and not just boys playing on a track.
Schumi's chop and tough actions on the track have certainly not endeared him to the crowd.
Many journalists have still not forgiven Schumi for Adelaide 94 which cost Damon the win. Also the attempt at jerez in 97. The Michael of the last few years is a different man from the Michael in the mid-90s. He is now more circumspect on the track and has not done anything drastic to get a win (not that he needs to
) ... Schumi has moved on but the journalists are still in the 1997 mold
The arrogance factor
They call him supremely arrogant - but I think he is pretty humble guy for all his achievements. He is not given to tantrums or temper fits at the track liek Montoya or some one else.
What Schumi is .... is supremely self-confident - this has been mis-interpreted as arrogance.
When Schumi says that he believes he can win the next race or the pole or whatever ... it is the genuine confidence in his abilities as a driver and those of him to make a win possible. He is not showing off to the public
Other
Michael has never held two British drivers in high regard - Damon Hill and David Coulthard. he has called them whingers and perhaps this has further poisoned the British Press.
I think the fact that Michael keeps mentioning that the past does not matter to him must be annoying them also. Goes back to my point about a perceived lack of respect to the glorious past of F1. I think Schumi is a down to earth and realistic kind of guy. Whether he is a fan or not of the apst is minuscule importance to him. Racing is in his blood. He does not need to dwell in the past.
Anyway ... this is all a big storm in a tea cup. I dont give a flying fuck about what the British or any other press have to say.
There a few reporters I respect (by queer concidence ... all are British
) .. the rest I look for news content and not analysis. Most are friggin armchair gurus whose greatest effort in life has been waking up in the morning.
The ones I like/liked are:
1. Denis Jenkinson - from the past - he won Mille Miglia as a co-driver. His race reports were a thing of beauty
2. Eoin Young
3. Nigel Roebuck - except for his Schumacher coverage
4. Steve Matchett - brilliant technical commentory
5. Peter Windsor
6. Martin Brundle - if he would shut up about "When I raced with Senna at ..."
7. Murray Walker - passionate fan
8. James Allen - his recaps of the race are always good to read...
The rest are all good for news or gossip .. not for analysis.
That's my opinion and I am sticking to it ....