Senna vs Schumacher (1991-1994)

Pat Symonds in a recent article for Autosport -

"I thoroughly enjoyed working with Michael over the years. His attention to detail and his attitude were something I had never seen before, even though I'd been Ayrton Senna's race engineer, when he drove for Toleman in 1984.

"Michael was different. He had the same raw natural talent as Ayrton, but whether he had more or less of it is impossible to tell and is something that will be argued about for as long as people talk about motor racing. What was different was his total focus on every detail."

Lets look at the four years arguably the two greatest Formula One drivers of all time were on the track at the same time. As their cars where not equal, a cross reference to how their teammates fared against each other is included.

Senna and Schumacher's team mates where obviously not equal either but they were much more so than the cars they raced. A few exceptions were particularly in 1993 when Senna had a really weak teammate in Michael Andretti and then a really strong one in Mika Hakkinen. Andretti is too weak for a valid comparison with Schumacher's teammate that year(Riccardo Patrese) and Hakkinen is too strong.

Regardless of it not being an exact science - calculated below is the average qualifying lap time in a cross reference scenario as if Senna and Schumacher's teammates were of equal ability. For further comparison you can then research the duo's teammates at manipef1.com/stats/drivercomparison/ to cross reference how they fared against each other and thus see how valid the Senna vs Schumacher comparisons are.

Red were Senna was faster in the teammate cross reference and blue were Schumacher was faster.


1991 Season (Schumacher made his debut at the Belgian Grand Prix in August)

Ayrton Senna(35pts) vs Michael Schumacher(4pts) 

Qualifying
1.8 vs 7.2 (average qualifying position)
6 vs 0 (driver finishing above other where both cars completed qualifying)
2.082s (average lap-time Senna was faster by)

Race
2.2 vs 5.7 (average finishing position)
3 vs 0 (driver finishing above other where both cars completed race)


Senna teammate(Gerhard Berger - 6pts) vs Schumacher teammate(Andrea de Cesaris - 0pts)

Qualifying
4 vs 11 (average qualifying position)
1 vs 0 (driver finishing above other where both cars completed qualifying)
2.501s (average lap-time Senna's teammate was faster by)

Race
2 vs n/a (average finishing position)
0 vs 0 (driver finishing above other where both cars completed race)

If Gerhard Berger and Andrea de Cesaris were of equal speed over a qualifying lap -
2.501-2.114 = Schumacher was faster than Senna by 0.419s



Senna teammate(Gerhard Berger - 15pts) vs Schumacher teammate(Nelson Piquet - 4.5 pts)

Qualifying
1.8 vs 8.8 (average qualifying position)
3 vs 0 (driver finishing above other where both cars completed qualifying)
2.114s (average lap-time Senna's teammate was faster by)

Race
2.7 vs 6.6 (average finishing position)
5 vs 0 (driver finishing above other where both cars completed race)

If Gerhard Berger and Nelson Piquet were of equal speed over a qualifying lap -
2.114-2.082 = Senna was faster than Schumacher by 0.032s



1992 Season

Ayrton Senna(50pts) vs Michael Schumacher(53pts)

Qualifying
2.8 vs 4.7 (average qualifying position)
14 vs 2 (driver finishing above other where both cars completed qualifying)
0.750s (average lap-time Senna was faster by)

Race
3.1 vs 3.2 (average finishing position)
5 vs 1 (driver finishing above other where both cars completed race)


Senna teammate(Gerhard Berger - 49pts) vs Schumacher teammate(Martin Brundle - 38pts)

Qualifying
4.6 vs 7.4 (average qualifying position)
14 vs 2 (driver finishing above other where both cars completed qualifying)
1.036s (average lap-time Senna's teammate was faster by)

Race
3.1 vs 3.6 (average finishing position)
4 vs 2 (driver finishing above other where both cars completed race)

If Gerhard Berger and Martin Brundle were of equal speed over a qualifying lap -
1.036-0.750 = Schumacher was faster than Senna by 0.286s



1993 Season

Ayrton Senna(73pts) vs Michael Schumacher(52pts) 

Qualifying
3.8 vs 3.8 (average qualifying position)
8 vs 8 (driver finishing above other where both cars completed qualifying)
0.008s (average lap-time Schumacher was faster by)

Race
3.7 vs 2.2 (average finishing position)
2 vs 3 (teammate finishing above other where both cars completed race)


Senna teammate(Michael Andretti - 7pts) vs Schumacher teammate(Riccardo Patrese - 38pts)

Qualifying
9.8 vs 7.4 (average qualifying position)
4 vs 9 (driver finishing above other where both cars completed qualifying)
0.468s (average lap-time Schumacher's teammate was faster by)

Race
7.3 vs 5.0 (average finishing position)
2 vs 2 (driver finishing above other where both cars completed race)

If Michael Andretti and Riccardo Patrese were of equal speed over a qualifying lap -
0.468-0.008 = Senna was faster than Schumacher by 0.460s



Senna teammate(Mika Hakkinen - 4pts) vs Schumacher teammate(Ricardo Patrese - 0pts)

Qualifying
3.7 vs 8.7 (average qualifying position)
3 vs 0 (driver finishing above other where both cars completed qualifying)
1.785s (average lap-time Senna's teammate was faster by)

Race
n/a vs 12 (average finishing position)
0 vs 0 (driver finishing above other where both cars completed race)

If Mika Hakkinen and Riccardo Patrese were of equal speed over a qualifying lap -
1.785 + 0.008 = Schumacher was faster than Senna by 1.793s



1994 Season

Ayrton Senna(0pts) vs Michael Schumacher(30pts) 

Qualifying
1 vs 2 (average qualifying position)
3 vs 0 (driver finishing above other where both cars completed qualifying)
0.296s (average lap-time Senna was faster by)

Race
n/a vs 1 (average finishing position)
0 vs 0 (driver finishing above other where both cars completed race)


Senna teammate(Damon Hill - 6pts) vs Schumacher teammate(Jos Verstappen - 0pts)

Qualifying
3.5 vs 9.5 (average qualifying position)
2 vs 0 (driver finishing above other where both cars completed qualifying)
1.206s (average lap-time Senna's teammate was faster by)

Race
2 vs n/a (average finishing position)
0 vs 0 (driver finishing above other where both cars completed race)

If Damon Hill and Jos Verstappen were of equal speed over a qualifying lap -
1.206-0.296 = Schumacher was faster than Senna by 0.910s



Senna teammate(Damon Hill - 1pt) vs Schumacher teammate(JJ Lehto - 0pts)

Qualifying
4 vs 5 (average qualifying position)
1 vs 0 (driver finishing above other where both cars completed qualifying)
0.549s (average lap-time Senna's teammate was faster by)

Race
6 vs n/a (average finishing position)
0 vs 0 (driver finishing above other where both cars completed race)
 
If Damon Hill and JJ Lehto were of equal speed over a qualifying lap -
0.549-0.296 = Schumacher was faster than Senna by 0.253s




More Michael Schumacher articles -

• Quotes From Schumi's F1 Debut 

•  How Great Was Michael Schumacher?

Lewis Hamilton vs Jenson Button

 A look at how Lewis Hamilton and Jenson Button fared against each other in the 3 years they were teammates at McLaren.

2010  

Lewis Hamilton(240pts) vs Jenson Button(214pts)  

Qualifying
4.9 vs 6.9 (average qualifying position)
14 vs 5 (teammate finishing above other where both cars completed qualifying)
0.447s (average lap-time Hamilton was faster by)

Race
3.8 vs 4.5 (average finishing position)
10 vs 3 (teammate finishing above other where both cars completed race)

Hamilton Retirements - 4 (1 wheel rim failure, 1 gearbox, 2 accidents)   
Button Retirements - 2 (1 engine, 1 accident)

Hamilton - 3 Wins & 1 Pole Position      
Button     - 2 Wins & 0 Pole Positions


Notes on 2010 stats -

•   Spain, Hamilton had a wheel rim failure on the penultimate lap and didn't finish but was still officially classified 14th as he completed 90% of the race. I didn't include him as finishing a lap early skews the performance data.

2011

Lewis Hamilton(227pts) vs Jenson Button(270pts)    

Qualifying
3.3 vs 4.5 (average qualifying position)
13 vs 6 (teammate finishing above other where both cars completed qualifying)
0.946s (average lap-time Hamilton was faster by)

Race
3.8 vs 3.1 (average finishing position)
7 vs 7 (teammate finishing above other where both cars completed race)

Hamilton Retirements - 3 (1 gearbox, 2 accidents)   
Button Retirements - 2 (loose wheel nut, hydraulics)

Hamilton - 3 Wins & 1 Pole Position      
Button     - 3 Wins & 0 Pole Positions


2012

Lewis Hamilton(190pts) vs Jenson Button(188pts)    

Qualifying
3.1 vs 6.5 (average qualifying position)
17 vs 3 (teammate finishing above other where both cars completed qualifying)
0.418s (average lap-time Hamilton was faster by)

Race
4.4 vs 5.6 (average finishing position)
7 vs 3 (teammate finishing above other where both cars completed race)

Hamilton Retirements - 6 (1 puncture, 1 gearbox, 3 accidents, 1 fuel pressure)   
Button Retirements - 4 (1 exhaust/differential, 2 accidents, 1 fuel system)

Hamilton - 4 Wins & 7 Pole Positions      
Button     - 3 Wins & 1 Pole Position


 Notes on 2012 stats - 

• Spain, Hamilton pole penalty not included because the shortage of fuel would not have gave a significant gain or changed his position relative to his teammate(Button never made it to Q3).
• Bahrain, Button retires with exhaust/differential trouble with 2 laps to go and didn't finish but was still officially classified 18th as he completed 90% of the race. I didn't include him as finishing 2 laps early skews the performance data.
• Monaco, Button retires with 8 laps to go but was still officially classified 16th as he completed 90% of the race. I didn't include him as finishing 8 laps early skews the performance data.
• Valencia, Hamilton tangles with Pastor Maldanado with 2 laps to go and didn't finish but was still officially classified 19th as he completed 90% of the race. I didn't include him as finishing 2 laps early skews the performance data. 
• Qualifying average lap-time is best of 19 with Britain left out. Reason is Hamilton is 10 places higher in the grid than Button but 5.499 secs slower because of rain at different times.

2010-2012

Lewis Hamilton(657pts) vs Jenson Button(672pts)    

Qualifying
3.8 vs 6.0 (average qualifying position)
44 vs 14 (teammate finishing above other where both cars completed qualifying)
0.604s (average lap-time Hamilton was faster by)

Race
4.0 vs 4.4 (average finishing position)
24 vs 13 (teammate finishing above other where both cars completed race)

Hamilton Retirements - 13
Button Retirements - 8

Hamilton - 10 Wins & 9 Pole Positions     
Button     -   8 Wins & 1 Pole Positions

F1 Driver And Team 2012 Form Guide

 A look at how teammates and teams stacked up against each-other over the entire season. The data is taken from the beginning of the season in Melbourne up to and including the last grand prix in Brazil. For details on how the data is compiled see below tables.

Qualifying: Driver-Car Package
(Average over season)

No.	Driver - Car	Q. Av (Qs)
1	Lewis Hamilton - McLaren	3.1 (20)
2	Sebastian Vettel - Red Bull	4.2 (20)
3	Mark Webber - Red Bull	5.5 (20)
4	Jenson Button - McLaren	6.5 (20)
5	Fernando Alonso - Ferrari	6.6 (20)
6	Kimi Raikkonen - Lotus	7.7 (20)
7	Romain Grosjean - Lotus	8.1 (19)
8	Pastor Maldanado - Williams	8.8 (20)
9	Michael Schumacher - Mercedes	9.0 (20)
10	Nico Rosberg - Mercedes	9.5 (20)
11	Felipe Massa - Ferrari	9.9 (20)
12	Nico Hulkenberg - Force India	11.4 (20)
13	Paul Di Resta - Force India	11.6 (20)
14	Kamui Kobayashi - Sauber	11.8 (20)
15	Sergio Perez - Sauber	12.2 (20)
16	Bruno Senna - Williams	14.7 (20)
17	Daniel Ricciardo - Toro Rosso	14.9 (20)
18	Jean-Eric Vergne - Toro Rosso	16.8 (20)
19	Heikki Kovalainen - Caterham	19.0 (20)
20	Vitaly Petrov - Caterham	19.8 (20)
21	Timo Glock - Marussia	21.2 (19)
22	Charles Pic - Marussia	22.0 (20)
23	Pedro De la Rosa - HRT	22.6 (20)
24	Narain Karthikeyan - HRT	23.6 (20)

 Race: Driver-Car Package 
(Average over season)

No.	Driver - Car	R. Av (Rs)
1	Sebastian Vettel - Red Bull	3.1 (18)
2	Fernando Alonso - Ferrari	3.2 (18)
3	Lewis Hamilton - McLaren	4.4 (14)
4	Kimi Raikkonen - Lotus	5.0 (20)
5	Mark Webber - Red Bull	5.1 (17)
6	Jenson Button - McLaren	5.6 (16)
7	Romain Grosjean - Lotus	6.5 (11)
8	Michael Schumacher - Mercedes	7.5 (12)
9	Felipe Massa - Ferrari	7.8 (19)
10	Kamui Kobayashi - Sauber	8.7 (15)
11	Nico Hulkenberg - Force India	8.8 (17)
=	Nico Rosberg - Mercedes	8.8 (17)
13	Sergio Perez - Sauber	8.9 (14)
14	Paul Di Resta - Force India	9.9 (18)
15	Bruno Senna - Williams	10.8 (15)
16	Pastor Maldanado - Williams	10.8 (13)
17	Daniel Ricciardo - Toro Rosso	11.4 (19)
18	Jean-Eric Vergne - Toro Rosso	11.8 (16)
19	Vitaly Petrov - Caterham	15.6 (17)
20	Heikki Kovalainen - Caterham	15.7 (19)
21	Timo Glock - Marussia	16.3 (18)
22	Charles Pic - Marussia	17.1 (14)
23	Pedro De la Rosa - HRT	18.0 (15)
24	Narain Karthikeyan - HRT	20.2 (12)

 Best Qualifying Car 
(Average of teammate qualifying position)

No.	Qualifying Car	Q. Av (Qs)
1	McLaren	4.8 (40)
2	Red Bull	4.9 (40)
3	Lotus	7.9 (39)
4	Ferrari	8.3 (40)
5	Mercedes	9.3 (40)
6	Force India	11.5 (40)
7	Williams	11.8 (40)
8	Sauber	12.0 (40)
9	Toro Rosso	15.9 (40)
10	Caterham	19.4 (40)
11	Marussia	21.6 (39)
12	HRT	23.1 (40)

Best Race Car 
(Average of teammate race finish position)

No.	Race Car	R. Av (Rs)
1	Red Bull	4.1 (35)
2	McLaren	5.0 (30)
3	Ferrari	5.5 (37)
4	Lotus	5.8 (31)
5	Mercedes	8.2 (29)
6	Sauber	8.8 (29)
7	Force India	9.4 (35)
8	Williams	10.8 (28)
9	Toro Rosso	11.6 (35)
10	Caterham	15.7 (36)
11	Marussia	16.7 (32)
12	HRT	19.1 (27)

 Biggest Qualifying Advantage Between Teamates
(Teammate finishes ahead after both complete qualifying)
 

No.	Teammates	Q. Adv
1	Pastor Maldonado vs Bruno Senna	18-2
2	Pedro De la Rosa vs Narain Karthikeyan	17-3
=	Fernando Alonso vs Felipe Massa	17-3
=	Lewis Hamilton vs Jenson Button	17-3
5	Daniel Ricciardo vs Jean-Eric Vergne	16-4
6	Timo Glock vs Charles Pic	13-6
7	Heikki Kovalainen vs Vitaly Petrov	13-7
8	Nico Hulkenberg vs Paul DiResta	12-8
9	Sebastian Vettel vs Mark Webber	11-9
10	Sergio Perez vs Kamui Kobayashi	11-9
11	Romain Grosjean vs Kimi Raikkonen	10-9
12	Michael Schumacher vs Nico Rosberg	10-10

Biggest Race Advantage Between Teamates
(Teammate finishes ahead after both complete race)
 

No.	Teammates	R. Adv
1	Fernando Alonso vs Felipe Massa	17-0
2	Pedro De la Rosa vs Narain Karthikeyan	9-0
3	Kimi Raikkonen vs Romain Grosjean	10-2
4	Michael Schumacher vs Nico Rosberg	7-3
=	Lewis Hamilton vs Jenson Button	7-3
6	Sebastian Vettel vs Mark Webber	11-6
7	Timo Glock vs Charles Pic	8-5
8	Sergio Perez vs Kamui Kobayashi	6-4
9	Nico Hulkenberg vs Paul DiResta	10-7
=	Vitaly Petrov vs Heikki Kovalainen	10-7
11	Daniel Ricciardo vs Jean-Eric Vergne	8-7
12	Bruno Senna vs Pastor Maldonado	7-7

The data plots out averages of driver and car performance to try and cut through the media spin and see what driver or team is performing and who isn't. One can look at the points scored for the entire gird but that can be misleading with only the top 10 awarded points and car retirements further skewing comparison.

First shown are qualifying and race driver-car packages. Next the cars are ranked in qualifying and race by averaging the two drivers performances. Ranking the cars on qualifying and race average positions isn't an exact science as some drivers are obviously better than others but it gives a good idea of the grid order especially when averaging the two teammates performances.

To give a true indication of low fuel one lap raw pace, qualifying penalties are obviously not included( gearbox or engine change, causing avoidable accident last GP etc). Concerning Hamilton's and Vettel's qualifying disqualifications I left them in their original grid slot as all we are really concerned about here is tracking true driver and car performance. The shortage of fuel in both instances would not have gave a significant gain or changed their position relative to their teammate.

On the race stats to also get a true indication only cars that finish are included and not all cars classified as finished. An example being Lewis Hamilton in Valencia where he is running 4th and crashes out after getting tangled with Pastor Maldanado. Hamilton is classified as having finished in 19th place but if we include Hamilton's 19th place it messes up his stats as it's not a true performance indicator so it's just counted as a DNF.

How Great Was Michael Schumacher?

Love him or hate him, there is only one Michael Schumacher. Some of his previous teammates still seem bitter about how bad he made them look but Eddie Irvine best sums up what it was like to try to match Schumacher every grand prix weekend in the same car. Irvine; "It's like being hit over the head with a cricket bat every couple of weeks".

Murray Walker, who has first hand witnessed every legend partake in the sport from the creation of the Formula One World Championship in 1950 to present day gives his thoughts on Michael Schumacher.
  
  
To give an idea of Michael Schumacher's incredible talent, in the 10 years from his first full season in 1992 to the end of the 2001 season before qualifying went into idiotic format, the average difference between him and his teammate was a massive 1.090s. The head to head qualifying battle between him and the only other person in the same car was a ridiculous 150-8 hammering over that same 10 year period. Schumacher's average grid spot was 2.7, his teammates 7.5.

To give the stats some more context, Schumacher out-qualified every team-mate he had at every grand prix from the end of the 1991 season until the start of the 1996 season, with the exception of the 1995 Belgian GP when it started to rain and Schumacher hadn’t set a lap in the dry. Incidentally that weekend he qualified 15th and still went on to win the race in typically spectacular Spa wet weather driving fashion.

From Schumacher's first full season in 1992 to his first retirement in 2006 his race head to head with teammates was a staggering 113-23 in races both finished. Average finish position for Schumacher was 2.5 and for his teammates 5.2 over that same 15 year period.

(Click link for an overview of Senna vs Schumacher (1991-1994) cross referencing their teammates)


The breakdown of Michael Schumacher's performances against teammates-


1991

Michael Schumacher vs Andrea de Cesaris (One Grand Prix)  

Qualifying
7.0 vs 11.0 (average qualifying position)
1 vs 0 (teammate finishing above other where both cars completed qualifying)
0.774s (average lap-time Schumacher was faster by)

Race
0 vs 0 (average finishing position)
0 vs 0 (teammate finishing above other where both cars completed race)


Michael Schumacher vs Nelson Piquet    

Qualifying
7.3 vs 8.3 (average qualifying position)
4 vs 1 (teammate finishing above other where both cars completed qualifying)
0.108s (average lap-time Schumacher was faster by)

Race
5.7 vs 6.0 (average finishing position)
2 vs 1 (teammate finishing above other where both cars completed race)



1992

Michael Schumacher vs Martin Brundle    

Qualifying
4.7 vs 7.4 (average qualifying position)
16 vs 0 (teammate finishing above other where both cars completed qualifying)
1.019s (average lap-time Schumacher was faster by)

Race
3.2 vs 3.6 (average finishing position)
4 vs 3 (teammate finishing above other where both cars completed race)



1993

Michael Schumacher vs Riccardo Patrese    

Qualifying
3.8 vs 7.6 (average qualifying position)
16 vs 0 (teammate finishing above other where both cars completed qualifying)
1.147s (average lap-time Schumacher was faster by)

Race
2.2 vs 6.4 (average finishing position)
5 vs 0 (teammate finishing above other where both cars completed race)



1994

Michael Schumacher vs Jos Verstappen    

Qualifying
2.1 vs 10.8 (average qualifying position)
8 vs 0 (teammate finishing above other where both cars completed qualifying)
1.920s (average lap-time Schumacher was faster by)

Race
1.0 vs 4.7 (average finishing position)
1 vs 0 (teammate finishing above other where both cars completed race)


Michael Schumacher vs JJ Lehto  

Qualifying
1.3 vs 13 (average qualifying position)
6 vs 0 (teammate finishing above other where both cars completed qualifying)
2.287s (average lap-time Schumacher was faster by)

Race
1.4 vs 7.7 (average finishing position)
2 vs 0 (teammate finishing above other where both cars completed race)


Michael Schumacher vs Johnny Herbert    

Qualifying
1.5 vs 6.0 (average qualifying position)
2 vs 0 (teammate finishing above other where both cars completed qualifying)
1.075s (average lap-time Schumacher was faster by)

Race
0 vs 0 (average finishing position)
0 vs 0 (teammate finishing above other where both cars completed race)



1995

Michael Schumacher vs Johnny Herbert    

Qualifying
2.9 vs 7.4 (average qualifying position)
16 vs 1 (teammate finishing above other where both cars completed qualifying)
1.357s (average lap-time Schumacher was faster by)

Race
2.3 vs 4.2 (average finishing position)
9 vs 0 (teammate finishing above other where both cars completed race)



1996

Michael Schumacher vs Eddie Irvine   

Qualifying
2.6 vs 7.9 (average qualifying position)
15 vs 1 (teammate finishing above other where both cars completed qualifying)
0.856s (average lap-time Schumacher was faster by)

Race
4.7 vs 10.2 (average finishing position)
3 vs 0 (teammate finishing above other where both cars completed race)



1997

Michael Schumacher vs Eddie Irvine    

Qualifying
3.6 vs 9.4 (average qualifying position)
16 vs 1 (teammate finishing above other where both cars completed qualifying)
0.754s (average lap-time Schumacher was faster by)

Race
2.8 vs 6.7 (average finishing position)
7 vs 0 (teammate finishing above other where both cars completed race)



1998

Michael Schumacher vs Eddie Irvine 

Qualifying
3.1 vs 5.4 (average qualifying position)
15 vs 1 (teammate finishing above other where both cars completed qualifying)
0.710s (average lap-time Schumacher was faster by)

Race
2.6 vs 3.8 (average finishing position)
10 vs 1 (teammate finishing above other where both cars completed race)



1999 (Schumacher out most of year with a broken leg and gifts Irvine the win in Malaysia for Eddie's title bid)

Michael Schumacher vs Eddie Irvine   

Qualifying
2.7 vs 5.3 (average qualifying position)
9 vs 1 (teammate finishing above other where both cars completed qualifying)
0.871s (average lap-time Schumacher was faster by)

Race
3.0 vs 3.0 (average finishing position)
5 vs 2 (teammate finishing above other where both cars completed race)



2000

Michael Schumacher vs Rubens Barrichello    

Qualifying
2.0 vs 4.8 (average qualifying position)
15 vs 2 (teammate finishing above other where both cars completed qualifying)
0.483s (average lap-time Schumacher was faster by)

Race
1.6 vs 2.8 (average finishing position)
8 vs 1 (teammate finishing above other where both cars completed race)



2001

Michael Schumacher vs Rubens Barrichello    

Qualifying
1.7 vs 4.5 (average qualifying position)
16 vs 1 (teammate finishing above other where both cars completed qualifying)
0.600s (average lap-time Schumacher was faster by)

Race
1.5 vs 3.9 (average finishing position)
10 vs 1 (teammate finishing above other where both cars completed race)



2002

Michael Schumacher vs Rubens Barrichello

Qualifying
1.8 vs 2.9 (average qualifying position)
13 vs 4 (teammate finishing above other where both cars completed qualifying)
0.227s (average lap-time Schumacher was faster by)

Race
1.4 vs 2.3 (average finishing position)
8 vs 4 (teammate finishing above other where both cars completed race)



2003

Michael Schumacher vs Rubens Barrichello (From here until Schumacher's comeback qualifying gets a bit rubbish as many gimmick systems are brought in which makes analysis a bit hit and miss) (Single lap system this year)   

Qualifying
4.3 vs 3.6 (average qualifying position)
10 vs 6 (teammate finishing above other where both cars completed qualifying)
-0.121s (average lap-time Schumacher was faster by)

Race
3.6 vs 3.5 (average finishing position)
7 vs 4 (teammate finishing above other where both cars completed race)



2004

Michael Schumacher vs Rubens Barrichello  (Race fuel qualifying system this year)

Qualifying
3.4 vs 4.7 (average qualifying position)
13 vs 5 (teammate finishing above other where both cars completed qualifying)
0.646s (average lap-time Schumacher was faster by)

Race
2.1 vs 3.1 (average finishing position)
13 vs 3 (teammate finishing above other where both cars completed race)



2005

Michael Schumacher vs Rubens Barrichello   (Unfortunately the ridiculous race fuel qualifying system still continues) 

Qualifying
8.5 vs 10.7 (average qualifying position)
12 vs 7 (teammate finishing above other where both cars completed qualifying)
0.198s (average lap-time Schumacher was faster by)

Race
4.7 vs 7.5 (average finishing position)
10 vs 1 (teammate finishing above other where both cars completed race)



2006

Michael Schumacher vs Felipe Massa   (Race fuel qualifying system is replaced by bizarre complicated fuel burn off system) 

Qualifying
3.8 vs 6.1 (average qualifying position)
14 vs 4 (teammate finishing above other where both cars completed qualifying)
0.357s (average lap-time Schumacher was faster by)

Race
2.6 vs 4.4 (average finishing position)
11 vs 3 (teammate finishing above other where both cars completed race)



2010

Michael Schumacher vs Nico Rosberg   (Proper qualifying again) 

Qualifying
9.4 vs 7.3 (average qualifying position)
5 vs 14 (teammate finishing above other where both cars completed qualifying)
-0.153s (average lap-time Schumacher was faster by)

Race
6.5 vs 8.6 (average finishing position)
3 vs 11 (teammate finishing above other where both cars completed race)



2011

Michael Schumacher vs Nico Rosberg  

Qualifying
10.3 vs 7.6 (average qualifying position)
3 vs 16 (teammate finishing above other where both cars completed qualifying)
-0.411s (average lap-time Schumacher was faster by)

Race
4.7 vs 7.5 (average finishing position)
6 vs 7 (teammate finishing above other where both cars completed race)



2012

Michael Schumacher vs Nico Rosberg  

Qualifying
9.0 vs 9.5 (average qualifying position)
10 vs 10 (teammate finishing above other where both cars completed qualifying)
0.113s (average lap-time Schumacher was faster by)

Race
7.5 vs 8.8 (average finishing position)
7 vs 3 (teammate finishing above other where both cars completed race)
                           
                            

Formula 1 World Championship Standings - Michael Schumacher 
(Full seasons which doesn't include 1991 & 1999)

1992 3rd (1st Mansell - Williams, 2nd Patrese - Williams, 3rd Schumacher Benetton, 4th Senna - McLaren) (Teammate Brundle 6th)  
1993 4th (1st Prost - Williams, 2nd Senna - McLaren, 3rd Hill - Williams, 4th Schumacher Benetton)(Teammate Patrese 5th)  
1994 1st Schumacher - Benetton (Various teammates)  
1995 1st Schumacher - Benetton, (Teammate Herbert 4th)   
1996 3rd (1st Hill - Williams, 3rd Schumacher - Ferrari) (Teammate Irvine 10th) 
1997 2nd (1st Villeneuve - Williams, 2nd Schumacher - Ferrari disqualified) (Teammate Irvine 7th)  
1998 2nd (1st Hakkinen - McLaren, 2nd Schumacher - Ferrari) (Teammate Irvine 4th)  
2000 1st Schumacher - Ferrari (Teammate Barrichello 4th)  
2001 1st Schumacher - Ferrari (Teammate Barrichello 3rd)  
2002 1st Schumacher - Ferrari (Teammate Barrichello 2nd)  
2003 1st Schumacher - Ferrari (Teammate Barrichello 4th)  
2004 1st Schumacher - Ferrari (Teammate Barrichello 2nd)  
2005 3rd (1st Alonso - Renault, 3rd Schumacher - Ferrari) (Teammate Barrichello 8th)  
2006 2nd (1st Alonso - Renault, 2nd Schumacher - Ferrari) (Teammate Massa 3rd) 

2010 9th (1st Vettel - Red Bull, 9th Schumacher Mercedes) (Teammate Rosberg 7th)  
2011 8th (1st Vettel - Red Bull, 8th Schumacher Mercedes) (Teammate Rosberg 7th)
2012 13th (1st Vettel - Red Bull, 13th Schumacher Mercedes) (Teammate Rosberg 9th)

Michael Schumacher was beaten on points in the 3 years against Nico Rosberg. When one looks below the surface it reveals a different insight. Schumacher was well beaten in 2010 in the first year of his comeback but 2011 and 2012 are very different stories.

In 2011 we have a mild foretaste of what was to come in 2012 in Schumacher's side of the Mercedes garage. 5 DNF's compared to Rosberg's 2. Schumacher's were puncture, airbox fire, gearbox, one accident his own fault and the other not. Rosberg's were 2 accidents with neither his fault.

2012 was Michael Schumacher's strongest year at Mercedes and he would have been easily ahead of Nico Rosberg if not for multiple car failures. 

Schumacher was in the top 3 in the first 3 races of 2012 only to retire with a gearbox failure in Australia, spun by Roman Grosjean and sent to the back of the pack in Mayalsia and then retire in China when his wheel was fitted incorrectly.

In Bahrain, qualifying was destroyed by a faulty DRS, Monaco - fuel pickup failure and just for good measure hit by Grosjean at the start again, Canada - no second flying lap because team miscalculated time needed but also for good measure a stuck DRS in the race leading to a 5th retirement in 7 races.

Michael Schumacher finished the season with a further two car failures. He never saw the chequered flag in 8 out of 20 races. Two of those times being incidents he was found at fault and very severally punished for which included loosing his pole at Monaco with a 5 place grid penalty and a 10 place grid penalty at Suzuka.

                                 _______________________________________


Highlighted below are a collection of races that help to cast some light on Michael Schumacher's enormous brilliance behind the wheel of a Formula 1 car. Notice nearly all are from the 1990's when the stats above show Schumacher was at his best or perhaps more likely the cars then allowed the driver to make more of a difference than latter years.

In a recent interview with  Auto Motor und Sport, Schumacher spoke of the greater difference the driver used to make rather than the all importance of the car in recent years. Schumacher; "In my early days, there was always the chance to be quicker than another driver not just by a couple of tenths, but a full second.

"Why? Because the cars aerodynamically were not so balanced and were therefore very sharp to drive. As a driver, you then had many more possibilities yourself. Today, the cars are aerodynamically stable and well balanced; the window in which you work is not as big."

Included are highlight clips of the races from the BBC archive, some extensive. Unfortunately the clips can only be viewed in the UK but if links are made to YouTube videos of race footage they will only be taken down by FOM.  


In chronological order apart from the first which is arguably the best.


1996 Spanish Grand Prix

Perhaps Michael Schumacher's greatest performance and a prime example of why he is known as the Rain Meister. In a rain soaked Spanish GP in a car that was far from the best the Rain Meister isn't happy in just beating his rivals but in embarrassing them. Dropping to 9th after a poor start where he almost stalled, Schumacher starts to carve his way through the field.

On lap 12 Schumacher overtook Jacques Villeneuve for the lead and two laps later set the fastest lap of the race which was some 4 seconds quicker than 2nd and 3rd placed Villeneuve and Jean Alesi respectively were lapping. When Schumacher pitted on lap 24 he was 40 seconds ahead of the 2nd placed man and just before he pitted on lap 42 he was a staggering 90 seconds ahead and this despite having a sick sounding engine from lap 33. At the end the German legend had lapped the entire field up to 3rd position.

It later transpired his engine was on nine cylinders for a time but cured itself and the main problem was a broken exhaust. Williams senior operations engineer James Robinson best sumed up Schumacher's performance: "I don't think the Ferrari was that brilliant. It looked like it was on ice to me. That guy is something else. It was pretty amazing."

BBC highlights of race



1992 Belgian Grand Prix

The first of Michael Schumacher's 91 grand prix wins. A typical mixed weather day at Spa with Schumacher making the right call at the right time to go on slicks with pole man Nigel Mansell and 2nd place man Ayrton Senna making the wrong calls.

BBC highlights of race



1994 Brazilian Grand Prix

The race where the two legends were in a league of their own. Ayrton Senna is on pole with Michael Schumacher 2nd on the grid. Senna out-qualifies his teammate Damon Hill by 1.592 sec and 3 grid spots and Schumacher his teammate Jos Verstappen by 1.893 sec and 7 grid spots.

In the race Schumacher looses a place at the start to Jean Alesi. Schumacher gets by the French man on lap 2 but already a 4 second gap has opened to Senna in the lead. By the time both Senna and Schumacher pit for fuel on lap 21 the gap is down to 1 second and they enter the pitlane together. Benetton's pit stop is much faster than Williams and Schumacher leaves the pitlane in the lead.

Schumacher's lead was 10 seconds after the second pit stops, after which Senna started to close the gap. On lap 55 with the gap down to 5 seconds, Schumacher and Senna lap 3rd place man Damon Hill. The following lap, Senna spun his Williams and had to retire.

Schumacher ended up winning the race and in the process lapping everyone else.

Recently F1 Racing asked it's readers to quiz Michael Schumacher and one of the questions applied to this grand prix.

What's your best memory of Ayrton Senna? (Montero Moises, Spain)

This is very clear. It was Brazil 1994 when I beat him and he spun off while he was fighting with me. Actually, in a way, the fact that he spun off made me extra proud because he had this unbeatable nature about him.

Then there was the fact of where we came from in 1993 – in '94 this small Benetton team with the Ford engine was not supposed to be the best, but it was suddenly a very good package and we were able to run in front of the Williams. Then he spun off and I thought, 'Well, that was a good moment.'

Full Race YouTube

BBC highlights of race



1994 Spanish Grand Prix

Michael Schumacher started on pole and eased away from second place man Damon Hill. Around the first pit-stops Schumacher's car developed gear selection problems leaving it stuck in fifth gear(from a 6-speed gearbox). Despite being unable to use any other gear but fifth, Schumacher pitted twice without stalling and changed his whole driving style to finish 2nd behind Damon Hill.

In the post race press conference Schumacher mentioned that he’d lost all gears but 5th and nobody believed him until Benetton showed the press the telemetry from the car.

BBC highlights of race



1995 Belgian Grand Prix

Michael Schumacher wins in the usual mixed weather conditions at Spa after starting 16th on the grid.

BBC highlights of race



1997 Monaco Grand Prix

Michael Schumacher puts in another wet weather masterclass and wins by 53 seconds around the streets of Monaco.

Full Race Dailymotion


1998 Hungarian Grand Prix

Stuck behind David Coulthard's McLaren, Ferrari change Michael Schumacher's strategy to a 3 stop that would only work if Schumacher was able to do 19 qualiying laps in a row. The German legend went on to lap over a second faster than the McLaren's of Hakkinen and Coulthard, eventually building up a 27 second gap which was enough to give him time to stop again and come out in the lead.

The 7 time world champion speaking to the BBC in 2011 about the race; "This race sums up the great relationship I had - and still have - with Ross Brawn. We were behind the McLarens of Mika Hakkinen and David Coulthard for the first part of the race and Ross decided that the only chance of beating them was to switch to a three-stop strategy - one stop more than them. It was a brilliant plan but it wasn't easy. I still remember the radio message from Ross that I had to make up something like 25 seconds in 19 laps.

BBC highlights of race



1998 Belgian Grand Prix

The Rain Meister walks on water again until a lapped David Coulthard lifts of in front of him totally unsighted. After a variety of accidents in the wet at the start of the race Schumacher takes the lead from Damon Hill and races away from the field at 3 seconds a lap quicker.

At nearly 37 seconds in the lead Schumacher came up to lap David Coulthard. After being instructed over the team radio to let Schumacher past, Coulthard slowed down, but stayed on the main racing line. Due to the spray behind Coulthard, Schumacher was completly unsighted and drove into the back of the Mclaren not expecting Coulthard to lift on the racing line in zero visibility conditions.

BBC highlights of race



1998 Japanese Grand Prix

A race where from qualifying Michael Schumacher and championship rival Mika Hakkinen were in a league of their own. Pole sitter Schumacher out qualifyed team mate Eddie Irvine by an incredible 2 seconds with 2nd on the grid Hakkinen out qualifying team mate David Coulthard by a second.

After an aborted start by Jarno Trulli stalling, Schumacher stalled on the next start and was sent to the back of the grid. From the back of the grid Schumacher made it up to third before suffering a right rear tyre explosion after running over debris from a crash between Esteban Tuero's Minardi and Tora Takagi's Tyrrell.



1999 Malaysian Grand Prix

Michael Schumacher returns from a broken leg and three month absense. He qualifies on pole at an incredible 0.947 seconds ahead of teammate Eddie Irvine in 2nd place. Irvine is in a titantic struggle with McLaren's Mika Hakkinen for the championship so it's time for Schumacher to play the number 2 driver.

In the race Schumacher first shows his superiority by stretching out a lead of 3.2 seconds after just 2 laps. On lap 4 he slows down to let Irvine pass and take the lead. Schumacher then precedes to keep Hakkinen behind to help Irvine in his title bid. Because Schumacher was on a one stop strategy he lets Irvine by a second time to take the lead and the win.

To sum up Schumacher hadn't dove an F1 car in anger in 3 months after breaking his leg. He puts it on pole by nearly a second and then plays the best number 2 driver in the history of Formula 1. He lets Irvine pass him twice and keeps his teammates title rival Hakkinen behind him the entire race.

Irvine speaking in the post-race press conference: "This guy (Schumacher) is depressing - not only is he the best number one (driver), he's also the best number two!"



2000 Japanese Grand Prix

The 7 time world champion again speaking to the BBC in 2011 about the race; "This is probably both the toughest and most beautiful race of my career. Mika and I were flat out all the way, really on the edge every lap on a great driver's circuit with the world championship at stake. And the race was really tricky because of changing conditions in the drizzle. I managed to get out ahead after my final pit stop and won. What makes it all the more special was that it was my first world title for Ferrari - this race certainly is my personal number one."

BBC highlights of race



2006 Brazilian Grand Prix

Michael Schumacher picks up a puncture and precedes to battle from 19th place and 10 seconds away from being lapped to bring his Ferrari home in 4th place. In the process he sets a fastest lap, 0.715s quicker than race winner and team mate Felipe Massa.

BBC highlights of race



2012 Monaco Grand Prix Qualifying

Beforehand the 43 year old legend said he was going to get pole and start 6th because of his prior penalty but then proceed to win the race from 6th.

Romain Grosjean ended any chance of the second part but the first part was special considering if the penalty didn't apply Schumacher would have been the oldest pole sitter since Jack Brabham in 1970.

Best I could get of the footage is below.




                          ________________________________________________________


A few video clips below.


Eddie Jordan who gave Schumacher his first opportunity in F1.





Ron Dennis tries to lure Schumacher to his team at McLaren.





Former British ex F1 drivers Damon Hill, John Watson and Johnny Herbert talk about what sets Michael Schumacher apart from the rest.





Michael Schumacher documentary.




More Michael Schumacher articles -

• Quotes From Schumi's F1 Debut

• Senna vs Schumacher (1991-1994)

Half-Term Teammate Comparison

With 11 races complete and 9 left it's time to have a look at how teammates are stacking up against each-other. Looking at points scored for the entire gird can be misleading with only the top 10 awarded points and car retirements further skewing comparison.

A better way to judge how a driver is performing against the only other competitor with the same equipment is to look at the head to head qualifying and race finishes were both cars qualified or finished.

Also a look at average qualifying and race position can give an idea of which cars are strongest in qualifying and the race. Obviously ranking cars on qualifying and race average positions isn't an exact science as some drivers are obviously better than others but it gives a good idea of the grid order especially when averaging the two teammates performances. To give a true indication, qualifying penalties are not included.

Ranked in order of average car performance in the races so far-

Sebastian Vettel vs Mark Webber (Red Bull)

- Combined teammate average qualifying position is 5.7 (2nd)
- Combined teammate race position is 4.8 (1st)

Qualifying
Vettel vs Webber
4.8 vs 6.5 (average qualifying position)
6 vs 5 (teammate finishing above other where both cars completed qualifying)

Race
Vettel vs Webber
4.5 vs 5.1 (average finishing position)
6 vs 4 (teammate finishing above other where both cars completed race)

Kimi Raikkonen vs Romain Grosjean (Lotus)

- Combined teammate average qualifying position is 7.5 (3rd)
- Combined teammate race position is 5.8 (2nd)

Qualifying
Raikkonen vs Grosjean
8.2 vs 6.7 (average qualifying position)
4 vs 7 (teammate finishing above other where both cars completed qualifying)

Race
Raikkonen vs Grosjean
5.5 vs 6 (average finishing position)
5 vs 2 (teammate finishing above other where both cars completed race)

Fernando Alonso vs Felipe Massa (Ferrari)

- Combined teammate average qualifying position is 8.8 (5th)
- Combined teammate race position is 7.3 (3rd)

Qualifying
Alonso vs Massa
6.4 vs 11.2 (average qualifying position)
11 vs 0 (teammate finishing above other where both cars completed qualifying)

Race
Alonso vs Massa
3.7 vs 10.9 (average finishing position)
10 vs 0 (teammate finishing above other where both cars completed race)

Lewis Hamilton vs Jenson Button (McLaren)

- Combined teammate average qualifying position is 5.4 (1st)
- Combined teammate race position is 7.6 (4th)

Qualifying
Hamilton vs Button
2.9 vs 7.8 (average qualifying position)
10 vs 1 (teammate finishing above other where both cars completed qualifying)

Race
Hamilton vs Button
5.9 vs 9.3 (average finishing position)
5 vs 2 (teammate finishing above other where both cars completed race)

Michael Schumacher vs Nico Rosberg (Mercedes)

- Combined teammate average qualifying position is 7.6 (4th)
- Combined teammate race position is 5.8 (5th)

Qualifying
Schumacher vs Rosberg
7.5 vs 7.7 (average qualifying position)
5 vs 6 (teammate finishing above other where both cars completed qualifying)

Race
Schumacher vs Rosberg
7.4 vs 7.9 (average finishing position)
4 vs 1 (teammate finishing above other where both cars completed race)

Kamui Kobayashi vs Sergio Perez (Sauber)

- Combined teammate average qualifying position is 12 (8th)
- Combined teammate race position is 8.9 (6th)

Qualifying
Kobayashi vs Perez
11.5 vs 13.3 (average qualifying position)
6 vs 5 (teammate finishing above other where both cars completed qualifying)

Race
Kobayashi vs Perez
9.5 vs 8.3 (average finishing position)
3 vs 3 (teammate finishing above other where both cars completed race)

Paul Di Resta vs Nico Hulkenberg (Force India)

- Combined teammate average qualifying position is 11.7 (6th)
- Combined teammate race position is 10 (7th)

Qualifying
Di Resta vs Hulkenberg
12 vs 11.3 (average qualifying position)
5 vs 6 (teammate finishing above other where both cars completed qualifying)

Race
Di Resta vs Hulkenberg
9.7 vs 10.3 (average finishing position)
5 vs 4 (teammate finishing above other where both cars completed race)

Bruno Senna vs Pastor Maldonado (Williams)

- Combined teammate average qualifying position is 11.8 (7th)
- Combined teammate race position is 12.2 (8th)

Qualifying
Senna vs Maldonado
14.4 vs 9.2 (average qualifying position)
2 vs 9 (teammate finishing above other where both cars completed qualifying)

Race
Senna vs Maldonado
12.1 vs 12.2 (average finishing position)
4 vs 2 (teammate finishing above other where both cars completed race)

Daniel Ricciardo vs Jean-Eric Vergne (Toro Rosso)

- Combined teammate average qualifying position is 15.5 (9th)
- Combined teammate race position is 13.2 (9th)

Qualifying
Ricciardo vs Vergne
14 vs 16.9 (average qualifying position)
9 vs 2 (teammate finishing above other where both cars completed qualifying)

Race
Ricciardo vs Vergne
13.2 vs 13.2 (average finishing position)
5 vs 4 (teammate finishing above other where both cars completed race)

Heikki Kovalainen vs Vitaly Petrov (Caterham)

- Combined teammate average qualifying position is 19.1 (10th)
- Combined teammate race position is 17 (10th)

Qualifying
Kovalainen vs Petrov
18.5 vs 19.6 (average qualifying position)
9 vs 2 (teammate finishing above other where both cars completed qualifying)

Race
Kovalainen vs Petrov
17.2 vs 16.8 (average finishing position)
3 vs 5 (teammate finishing above other where both cars completed race)

Timo Glock vs Charles Pic (Marussia)

- Combined teammate average qualifying position is 21.9 (11th)
- Combined teammate race position is 18.3 (11th)

Qualifying
Glock vs Pic
21.7 vs 22 (average qualifying position)
6 vs 4 (teammate finishing above other where both cars completed qualifying)

Race
Glock vs Pic
18 vs 18.6 (average finishing position)
3 vs 2 (teammate finishing above other where both cars completed race)

Pedro de la Rosa vs Narain Karthikeyan (HRT)

- Combined teammate average qualifying position is 7.5 (3rd)
- Combined teammate race position is 5.8 (2nd)

Qualifying
De la Rosa vs Karthikeyan
22.3 vs 23.6 (average qualifying position)
11 vs 0 (teammate finishing above other where both cars completed qualifying)

Race
De la Rosa vs Karthikeyan
20.1 vs 20.3 (average finishing position)
6 vs 0 (teammate finishing above other where both cars completed race)

Best Qualifying Car 

1) McLaren
2) Red Bull
3) Lotus
4) Mercedes
5) Ferrari
6) Force India
7) Williams
8) Sauber
9) Toro Rosso
10) Caterham
11) Marussia
12) HRT

Best Race Car 

1) Red Bull
2) Lotus
3) Ferrari
4) McLaren
5) Mercedes
6) Sauber
7) Force India
8) Williams
9) Toro Rosso
10) Caterham
11) Marussia
12) HRT


More on team mate comparisons-
  
Formula 1 Team-Mate Strength Comparisons

Massa Ferrari Form Guide 2006 - 2012


Stats compiled with the help of Manipef1.com and F1.com.

Massa Ferrari Form Guide 2006 - 2012

The pressure is mounting on Felipe Massa and as the Brazilian would say it isn't the first time others have been linked to his now 6 year Ferrari seat. Here is a look at how Felipe has stacked up to his three infamous Ferrari teammates. Seven times world champion Michael Schumacher, 2007 world champion Kimi Raikkonen and 2005,2006 world champion Fernando Alonso.

Michael Schumacher vs Felipe Massa (2006)

Felipe Massa spent one year as a Ferrari teammate to Michael Schumacher in 2006, the last season before Schumacher's 3 year retirement. The Brazilian was an average 0.357 seconds off the seven times F1 champion's pace in qualifying. The average qualifying position for Schumacher was 3.8 compared to 6.1 for Massa. In head to head qualifying Schumacher was in front 14 times out of 18.

In races Schumacher's average finish was 2.6 compared to Massa's 4.4. In head to head on races were both finished Schumacher was ahead of Massa 11 times out of 14. At the end of their only season as teammates Schumacher had 121 points compared to Massa's 80.

Summary 2006
Schumacher beats Massa in qualifying 14-4 and races 11-3 with average qualifying gap 0.357secs.

Kimi Raikkonen vs Felipe Massa (2007)

Raikkonen joined Ferrari in 2007 as Massa's teammate and the Finn went on to win the championship that year. In their first year as teammates the stats were very even. Massa was on average 0.074 seconds quicker than Raikkonen in qualifying but Raikkonen's average qualifying position was a fraction better at 3.6 compared to Massa's 3.9. In who came out on top in the head to head qualifying Massa sneaked it by 9 times to 8.

In races Raikkonen's average finish was slightly ahead at 2.6 compared to Massa's 3.7. In head to head on races were both finished Raikkonen was ahead of Massa 9 times out of 13. At the end of the 2007 season as teammates Raikkonen had 110 points compared to Massa's 94.

Summary 2007
Massa beats Raikkonen in qualifying 9-8 with the Brazilian an average of 0.074 seconds quicker. In races Raikkonen leads Massa 9-4.

Kimi Raikkonen vs Felipe Massa (2008)

In their second year as teammates Massa started to get the better of Raikkonen and the Brazilian was desperately unlucky to not win the championship at the end of the year. There was absolutely nothing to separate them in qualifying though as Massa was on average 0.001 seconds quicker than Raikkonen. Massa's average qualifying position was slightly better at 2.9 compared to Raikkonen's 4.4. In the head to head qualifying Massa was ahead 12-6.

In races Massa's average finish was ahead at 4.8 compared to Raikkonen's 5.6. In head to head on races were both finished Massa was ahead of Raikkonen 8 times out of 11. At the end of the 2008 season as teammates Massa had 97 points compared to Raikkonen's 75.

Summary 2008
Massa beats Raikkonen in qualifying 12-6 and races 8-3 with the average qualifying gap 0.001 seconds.

Kimi Raikkonen vs Felipe Massa (2009)

Massa continued to have a slight upper-hand at the start of the 2009 season before his near fatal accident. Out of their ten last races together as teammates, Massa was on average 0.556 seconds quicker than Raikkonen in qualifying. Raikkonen's average qualifying position was slightly better at 8.5 compared to Massa's 8.9. In the head to head qualifying Raikkonen was ahead 6-4.

In races Massa's average finish was ahead at 6.6 compared to Raikkonen's 8.4. In head to head on races were both finished Massa was ahead of Raikkonen 3 times out of 5.

Summary 2009
Raikkonen beats Massa in qualifying 6-4 but Massa is on average 0.556 seconds faster. In races Massa beats Raikkonen 3-2.

Fernando Alonso vs Felipe Massa (2010)

The beginning of the end for Massa?? The stats for this season has a very close parallel to the differences between Massa's only season as Schumacher's teammate. In his first season with Alonso, Massa was an average 0.316 seconds off the two time F1 champion's pace in qualifying. The average qualifying position for Alonso was 5.9 compared to 7.8 for Massa. In head to head qualifying Alonso was in front 15 times out of 19.

In races Alonso's average finish was 4.6 compared to Massa's 7.1. In head to head on races were both finished Alonso was ahead of Massa 13 times out of 16. At the end of the 2010 season, Alonso had 252 points compared to Massa's 144.

Summary 2010
Alonso beats Massa in qualifying 15-4 and in races 13-3 with the average qualifying gap 0.316secs.



Fernando Alonso vs Felipe Massa (2011)

In their second season together Massa was an average 0.277 seconds slower than Alonso in qualifying. The average qualifying position for Alonso was 4.6 compared to 5.8 for Massa. In qualifying Alonso was in front 15 times out of 19 which was the same as the year before.

In races Alonso's average finish was 3.4 compared to Massa's 6.4. In head to head on races were both finished Alonso was ahead of Massa 13 times out of 15.(one of them was controversially gifted to Alonso!) At the end of the 2011 season, Alonso had 257 points compared to Massa's 118.

Summary 2011
Alonso beats Massa in qualifying 15-4 and in races 13-2 with the average qualifying gap 0.277 seconds.


In the first two races of 2012 Massa has slipped to 0.584 seconds behind Alonso in qualifying which is about double the standard 0.3 seconds of the previous two years. The likelihood is Massa will get back to the standard 0.3 second gap behind Alonso when the car improves with the major updates planned. The rumours are Massa is guaranteed 10 races this year on his contract although that contract will mean very little if Sergio Perez and Massa have another race anytime soon of differing forms like Malaysia.


Thanks to manipef1.com and formula1.com for helping research the stats.

Vettel vs Webber: The Stats So Far

2009

In 2009 Sebatian Vettel was paired with Mark Webber for the first year of 3 together. Vettel ended the year as championship runner-up with 84 points and Webber 4th place with 69.5 points.

Vettel was 15 out of 17 times ahead of Webber in qualifying with the average gap 0.112secs and the average gap in qualifying position 3 places. Vettel obtained 4 pole positions during the year at China, Turkey, Great Britain and Japan, converting all to race wins except Turkey. Webber got 1 pole position which happened to be in Vettel's homeland Germany which Webber went on to convert to a win.

The races in 2009 were much closer than the qualifying with Vettel finishing higher than Webber 6 out of 10 races both completed. It works out Vettel finished 1 place higher than Webber on average per race. Vettel's race wins were China, Great Britain, Japan, Abu Dhabi with all the wins coming from pole except Abu Dhabi which was from 2 place on the grid. Webber's race wins were in Germany from pole and Brazil from 2nd place. Both ended the season with 3 fastest laps to their name.

Summary 2009
Vettel beats Webber Qualifying 15-2 & Races 6-4 with average qualifying gap 0.112secs.


Webber & Vettel, The beginning of a beautiful friendship?




2010

In 2010 Vettel won the World Championship at the final race in Abu Dhabi and outscored Webber - 256 to 242 points.

As in the their first year together Vettel had a clear edge in qualifying beating Webber 12 times out of 19, but the average time difference was down to just 0.051secs. which was half the difference from 2009. The average qualifying position between the two was also much closer than a year earlier at just 0.5 of a place. Vettel obtained 10 pole positions while only converting 3 of them to wins. Webber got 5 pole positions and converted 2 of them to wins.

In races both completed Vettel finished ahead 10 times out of 15 which is surprising considering Webber was ahead on points going into the final race. Identical to qualifying was the 0.5 average position place gap in finished races with Vettel ahead again. Vettel finished the season with 5 wins compared to Webber's 4 wins. Identical to last year, they both ended the season with 3 fastest laps each.

Summary 2010
Vettel beats Webber Qualifying 12-7 & Races 10-5 with average qualifying gap 0.051secs.


Vettel is asked what he is getting Webber for his birthday.




2011

In 2011 Vettel wins the championship for the 2nd time on 392 points with 3rd place man Webber on 258 points. Unlike the previous two years it was a very one sided contest mostly due to Webber's difficulty adapting to the new Pirelli tyres which was a double whammy leading to worse qualifying pace and higher wear in races.

Vettel out-qualified Webber 16 times out of 19 and toke pole position 15 times with Webber getting 3 pole positions. The average time gap in qualifying position was 10 times more than the year before at 0.517secs. On average Webber qualified 2.5 places behind the usual pole sitter Vettel.

In races it didn't get any better for Webber with Vettel finishing ahead 15 times out of 17 in races they both finished. The average race finishing position between them was 2 places. Vettel won 11 races with Webber just winning the season finale in Brazil where Vettel had his much speculated gearbox problems. Webber did though get one over Vettel by getting the most amount of fastest laps with 7 compared to Vettel's 3.

Summary 2009
Vettel beats Webber Qualifying 16-3 & Races 15-2 with average qualifying gap 0.517secs.


2012

With the evidence above what is likely to happen in 2012? All the statics say Vettel has clearly had the edge so far.

2009 Qualifying 15-2 Races 6-4 with average qualifying gap  0.112secs.
2010 Qualifying 12-7 Races 10-5 with average qualifying gap 0.051secs.
2011 Qualifying 16-3 Races 15-2 with average qualifying gap 0.517secs.

It is hard to see any reason why 2012 isn't going to be more of the same although chances are it is going to be closer between them than last year as Webber continues to adjust better to the Pirelli tyres. Even though the above stats look horrible for Webber, it is worth noting he was only 0.05secs on average behind Vettel in qualifying 2010 and he was leading the Championship against Vettel heading into the final race.

If Webber does get on top of the tyres and also as expected the ban on exhaust blown diffusers play into his hands then just maybe he can turn this landslide around. Although it is a big ask for Webber to change the past form guide especially with the priority Vettel seems to have within the team.