Michael
Schumacher’s two main problems in
seeing off the new generation of Formula
1 chargers are his advancing years and
a lack of bravado, according to his former
Ferrari team-mate Eddie Irvine.
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The outspoken Ulsterman still believes
Schumacher is the sport’s best driver,
rating his skills as ‘9.1’
versus ‘9’ for those of Fernando
Alonso and Kimi Raikkonen. |
But
Irvine says the seven-times world champion
faces an uphill struggle to avoid being
eclipsed by the two young pretenders.
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“Michael’s
up against guys who are half his age and
have twice the balls,” Irvine said
in an interview with Motorsport News.
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“Michael
never had big balls. He wasn’t like
Senna; he takes calculated risks. He’s
not a great poker player. |
“His
problem is he knows the other two guys
have got an ace because they are in their
20s, so I think that’s going to
be his weakness from now on.” |
Irvine
reckons F1 could be on the verge of a
new golden era thanks to the quality of
drivers at the front of the field. |
“Next
year will be mega, the best year in a
long time,” he predicted. |
“We’ve
got the best three drivers that have been
in F1 for at least 10, 15 years. |
“I
don’t think we have ever had three
drivers as good. |
“People
talk about Mansell, Piquet and Prost but
I don’t think the Piquets and Mansells
are in that league. |
“These
guys are right there in the Senna league.
We haven’t had this level of ability
in a long time. |
“Michael
had monopolised the whole thing but now
he’s got two guys that are probably
as quick as him.” |
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