Formula One / The Betfair Contrarian / 10 March 2010 / 1

With Michael Schumacher [7.0] to win the Drivers Championship on his return to Formula One, the Betfair Contrarian explains why the motor racing legend will reacquaint himself with the top step of the podium.

He's the greatest driver ever

The German has enjoyed such a ridiculous level of success in Formula One that it would be easier to list the records that Schumacher hasn't broken than highlight what he's accomplished. In addition to having won seven Drivers' Championships, and picking up as many in a row between 2000 and 2004 as anyone else has managed in their entire career, Schumacher sets the benchmark for most races won with 91 victories, he is 40 clear of any other driver in the sports history. His race-to-win ratio is 36.4%, dwarfing for example Lewis Hamiltons mark of 21.2% or Fernando Alonsos 15%.

Age doesn't matter

A lot has been made of the fact that Schumacher, at 41, is too old to be successful in Formula One, but the reality is that age is of little significance, and, if anything, the experience gained in 250 career races hands him an advantage. The oldest driver on the grid last season was Rubens Barrichello at 37 and he won two races more than he managed in his last season with Ferrari when he was four years younger. Two drivers have won Drivers Championships while older than Schumacher is now and Nigel Mansell, who was a world champion at the age of 39 in 1992 and won at 41, said: "It doesnt matter what age you are as long as you are professional, committed and focused."

He was still competitive before retiring

Schumacher might not have won the Drivers Championship in 2006, which wasn't surprising given that Alonso's Renault was a superior car, but the fact he went into the final race that season, where he suffered a puncture, with a shot at the title was an achievement in itself. He won five of his final nine races and outscored Alonso by 12 points in that period.

Mercedes are reigning champions

Okay, they were known as Brawn last season, but the point still stands in 2009, the team led by Ross Brawn, swept up both the Drivers and Constructors Championships. In eight of the last 13 seasons, the Drivers Championship has been won by someone representing the reigning champion constructor.

Schumacher and Brawn are a dream team

All seven of Schumacher's triumphs came under the guidance of Brawn, so the reformation of a partnership that achieved unprecedented levels of success for both Benetton (now Renault) and Ferrari, at the team who are currently the best team of the grid, is the ultimate recipe for glory.

The balance isn't right at McLaren or Ferrari

Fernando Alonso and Lewis Hamilton are the two favourites to land the Drivers' Championship, but both will pay the price for working with team-mates who have title aspirations. Pretty much every champion in the last decade has been employed by a team with a very clear pecking order - Schumacher's partnerships with Eddie Irvine and Barrichello at Ferrari being a prime example. The Alonso and Hamilton combination at McLaren bombed in 2007 because both were desperate for solo success, and both failed. Similar fates may await the Hamilton/Jenson Button combination at McLaren, and Alonsos link-up with Felipe Massa, so nearly world champion in 2008, at Ferrari.

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1. F1Punter | 11 March 2010

   I think that Nico Rosberg might just surprise a few people this season. I don't expect him to be a Barrichello-also ran, that's for sure.

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