David Coulthard explains why Michael Schumacher’s comeback was bound to fail given the expectations—and how it actually hurt Formula 1
Michael Schumacher’s stint with Mercedes between 2010 and 2012 ranks among the least successful comeback attempts in Formula 1 history. In three years at Brackley, the record-holding world champion failed to secure a single victory and managed only one podium finish.
However, the poor performance wasn’t solely due to “Schumi’s” own performance. At the time, Mercedes wasn’t yet the successful racing team it is today, which is why David Coulthard emphasizes that Schumacher didn’t really have a fair chance back then.
“Michael and Ferrari were a phenomenon,” the Scot explains in an interview with Sport Bild, emphasizing: “No one would have dared to criticize them. Michael was untouchable, a god. After he came out of retirement to drive for Mercedes, expectations remained as high as ever.”
“But he didn’t have a chance to meet them,” says Coulthard, because: “The car was too slow, and the team was only just on its way to becoming a top team.” Thus, Mercedes—which had emerged from the Brawn team in 2010—managed to secure only one Grand Prix victory in total during the three “Schumacher years.”
After the first two seasons of the then-new factory team had ended without a single victory, Nico Rosberg at least celebrated one win in China in 2012. However, Mercedes didn’t become a “consistent winner” until the start of the hybrid era in 2014—without Schumacher.
“Nevertheless, voices speaking out against him were heard immediately,” Coulthard recalls of “Schumi’s” comeback, explaining: “That hurt Formula 1. The mood was negative.” Admittedly, Schumacher and Ferrari’s “dominance” had previously made the racing “less exciting.”
“But people were fascinated,” says Coulthard. That was no longer the case after Schumacher’s move to Mercedes, which is why the Scot compares the situation to Lewis Hamilton’s move to Ferrari last year.
The Brit also had major problems in his first season at Maranello, but has since found his stride and most recently secured his first victory for the Scuderia in Barcelona. “A Lewis who wins will always be better for the series than a Lewis who loses,” says Coulthard.
The current analyst raced in Formula 1 from 1994 to 2008 and claimed 13 Grand Prix victories during that time. He achieved his best overall finish in the World Championship in 2001, when he finished as runner-up behind Schumacher in the Ferrari while driving for McLaren.