Lewis Hamilton should edge out Jenson Button, and Michael Schumacher couldn’t resist the adrenalin rush of a comeback, says Martin Brundle looking forward to the 2010 Formula 1 calendar.
‘This season looks incredibly exciting,’ said the former F1 racer and BBC pundit. ‘Jenson Button said there were seven teams in it; I think four could win the championship Mercedes, Ferarri, McLaren and Red Bull. Plus we have Hamilton versus Button, Schumacher versus everybody it’s going to be spectacular.
‘It’s good for Jenson and Lewis to be in the same team it’s certainly got everyone talking about them. They’ll be going head-to-head, there’ll be a winner and loser and there will be tears. My money is on Lewis,’ he continued.
‘Jenson looks good, Lewis is hungry. It’s hard to win back-to-back championships. Jenson has got to find all the green buttons at McLaren, while Lewis is motivated by getting the number one back on his car.
‘There’s no refuelling this year, the cars could have 225 litres on board, so cars will change throughout the race. Lewis is the more acrobatic driver who can adapt to a car, Jenson has a very precise style and may struggle if the car isn’t compatible with this. But if it turns out to be all about preserving brakes, tyres and fuel, it’ll swing towards Jenson. To be honest, I’m guessing!’
Brundle was speaking at the launch of Jaguar’s Academy of Sport, a bursary fund that will support up-and-coming British sporting talent. The racing driver, who won the Le Mans 24 Hour race in 1990 driving the Jaguar XJR-12, is one of a host of sporting luminaries supporting Jaguar’s funding initiative.
Footballer David Beckham, cricketer Sir Ian Botham, former Wales rugby star Gareth Edwards and Olympians Denise Lewis, Dame Kelly Holmes and Sir Steve Redgrave are patrons of the scheme, who will help identify which young prospects should receive financial support.
Among the scheme’s ambassadors are Brundle, footballer Steven Gerrard, golfer Lee Westwood and athletics stars Tasha Danvers and Jessica Ennis.
‘The Academy of Sport is not just about money; the patrons and ambassadors have experience to share, and motivation and determination epitomised by [Tasha Danvers and Jessica Ennis] when you see them achieve on TV,’ said the former F1 star.
Brundle returns to our screens this weekend, with the season’s first grand prix taking place on in Bahrain on Sunday. Michael Schumacher - interviewed in the latest issue of CAR Magazine - makes his surprise comeback, for the Mercedes team. Brundle completely understands why the seven times drivers champion couldn’t stay away.
‘Michael got through his to do-list in three months, riding motorbikes and bouncing down the track. How do you act like a 65-year-old when you’re 38?
You’re retired with a chunk of change in the bank but you can’t park your determination and aggression. You could start getting into mischief so you have to re-engage with F1.
‘His stats are the best ever. Why does he need to risk everything? Because he loves driving racing cars and we are delighted to see him back. He won’t be embarrassed. But he might compute 50:50 risks that the young tyros won’t even notice.’