The Bluebird Project

I've been a big F1 fan since the 1974 season, and I have my heroes, just like anyone else - but Schumi isn't on my own personal list, as I didn't like his particular brand of "sportsmanship", shoving other drivers off the road and parking his car to block the track.

I felt the same about Schumi as I did about Senna. Sublime talent, iffy personality.

That said, it's shockingly sad that it has come to this for Michael. But if anyone was capable of pulling through this, he will - though of course at the moment we don't know the full extent of his injuries.

It all reminds me of another former F1 driver that I knew during a very different era - Mike Hailwood. He was also quite handy on motorbikes. Years and years spent competing in the ultra-dangerous arena of top-class speed-sport, then he retired, only to die in tragic freak circumstances.

Let's hope Schumi can win just once more.

Nigel

I was called yesterday by one of my old work colleagues, to be told about the accident, still can't work out why! I interviewed Michael a few times while working in F1, and he was a nice bloke, very misunderstood. His shyness often mistaken for arrogance, and misleadingly always assumed to have been "gifted" into motor racing. (His raise through motor racing would be similar to an average boy living in inner city London working his way up by shear hard work). I liked him, though technically, he didn't have a clue how things worked at all. He has a lot of humility. Once, being drive back to the hotel in Kaula Lumpur from the circuit (I got a lift in the Ferrari crew bus), Michael was sitting in the middle at the back, it was as he said, easier than trying to get out of the main gate in his own car and he liked being with his team. We were over taken by a local Proton Wirra, and someone quipped that he'd never know he'd over taken Michael Schumacher, to which Michael said, "who knows, he may be faster and better than me, but just never had the same luck or breaks". He loves to talk about his watch collection, and still collects stray dogs (some he flew home from Brazil!!!

My "source" tells me that he had an injury to the right side of his head, and although concious, was unable to speak, and is now in an induced coma. Sadly, it's all very similar to what happened to Mark Donahue, but that was in 1975, and things have moved on (witness Wendlinger's Monaco accident). Without a helmet, he would have died in the accident, but, like others before (Sonny Bono for one), he was off piste, and there's a reason they don't want you skiing there. He's in the right place, and like Wendlinger (and unlike Donahue), it was recognised and acted upon quickly, which raises his chances quite a bit. I have my fingers crossed for him.

Mike Bull wrote:Sky now reporting a 'slight improvement'...

A more complete and detailed evaluation of the situation from Dr Gary Hartstein, until this year the Medical Delegate for Formula 1.

http://formerf1doc.wordpress.com/2013/1 ... ce-take-1/


-----------------------------------

his initial reaction is here

http://formerf1doc.wordpress.com/2013/1 ... w-and-why/

then here

http://formerf1doc.wordpress.com/2013/1 ... onference/

A great friend of mine, ex cycling partner and co-pilot, suffered a severe stroke in his late forties. His family had a history of such vascular disasters so that in itself wasn't a huge surprise. What was surprising is that having had it he called me, but I was away and missed the call, so he just kept calling people until someone came and got him to the hospital and despite being paralysed down his left side he was conscious and in excellent spirits - to begin with.
Within hours he was at death's door with his ICP off the clock and surgeons frantically drilling holes in his head to alleviate the pressure. He was unconscious for weeks and about to die on more than a few occasions. When he finally came out of the ICU I couldn't believe his appearance and he was completely paralysed, incoherent and uncomprehending and the staff talking of 24 hour care for the rest of his life.
The good news is that he has slowly and resolutely battled his way back to fitness with the sole aim of completing the coast to coast cycle ride in aid of stroke charities and it looks like he'll be back on his bike next year. However, I stupidly agreed to join him - I reckon I'll be in worse shape than he is!

Really nice to see the project showing their support for Michael Schumacher and his family in their hour of need. I was totally shocked to hear this news and have been following it at every opportunity. Love him or hate him nobody can say he wasn't a real talent and for me personally I followed him through the years and admired his drive and commitment to his car, team etc. Yes there has been a few occasions that put a blemish on his otherwise great career but for me he was a driver who would be in the garage at all hours of the evening, testing testing the car when others had gone home or on holiday or partying . Michael would climb out of the car after a long hot race and would not even break into a sweat much to the other drivers dismay and disbelief! I love the times he really showed how good he was not only technically in setting the car up and fully understanding how it worked as well as driving it he was able to compute and take on board all that was going on during a heated race. Like the time he won the race whilst sat in the pit lane taking a ten second penalty. I always recall the commentators scratching their heads and flicking through the rule book to see if it was legal! He won the race. And the time he had the presence of mind to allow Ralph ( his brother) past him going into the final turn to give Ralph one final lap to get that final point. Ralph did score what I think was his first point in F1 I seem to recall as another car either broke down or left the track.

He was a charger and gave his all during any race he was in be it Karting or F1 he wanted to win sometimes at any price. He's not the only one as many before have adopted tactics shall we say. Its a real shame this has happened to a man who faced danger every weekend during his long outstanding career. Mike "The Bike"Hailwood another of my hero's killed with his daughter whilst fetching Fish and Chips when a lorry driver did an illegal turn. How many TT's did he win, facing the ultimate challenge of the Isle of Man course even entering F1 for a short period before returning to the bike's he loved the most.

People can winge but his record speaks for itself, 7 Times World Formula Champion,91 Grand Prix wins and many records to his name during his career. The Rain Master
I am hoping he pulls through as he doe's not deserve to check out this way.

My thoughts and prayers are with you Mr. Schuey & Family
Novie Dzinora
Also a big F1 Fan

Excellent interview with Gary Hartstein here, though nothing to do with Michael Schumacher.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=pl ... BXWbTuNEl8

f1steveuk wrote:I was called yesterday by one of my old work colleagues, to be told about the accident, still can't work out why! I interviewed Michael a few times while working in F1, and he was a nice bloke, very misunderstood. His shyness often mistaken for arrogance, and misleadingly always assumed to have been "gifted" into motor racing. (His raise through motor racing would be similar to an average boy living in inner city London working his way up by shear hard work). I liked him, though technically, he didn't have a clue how things worked at all. He has a lot of humility. Once, being drive back to the hotel in Kaula Lumpur from the circuit (I got a lift in the Ferrari crew bus), Michael was sitting in the middle at the back, it was as he said, easier than trying to get out of the main gate in his own car and he liked being with his team. We were over taken by a local Proton Wirra, and someone quipped that he'd never know he'd over taken Michael Schumacher, to which Michael said, "who knows, he may be faster and better than me, but just never had the same luck or breaks". He loves to talk about his watch collection, and still collects stray dogs (some he flew home from Brazil!!!

My "source" tells me that he had an injury to the right side of his head, and although concious, was unable to speak, and is now in an induced coma. Sadly, it's all very similar to what happened to Mark Donahue, but that was in 1975, and things have moved on (witness Wendlinger's Monaco accident). Without a helmet, he would have died in the accident, but, like others before (Sonny Bono for one), he was off piste, and there's a reason they don't want you skiing there. He's in the right place, and like Wendlinger (and unlike Donahue), it was recognised and acted upon quickly, which raises his chances quite a bit. I have my fingers crossed for him.

I think you have summed michael up spot on I like F1 have done for years everyone has there own opinions but I think he will be the best driver I will see in my lifetime,he's a fighter and as others have said if anyone can pull through he will thank god he was a very fit man .
Let's hope the reports of his health get better and better over the comming weeks

They've been saying that for a week now. Looks like he's in a bad way. No worse than thousands of other TBI patients, mind you, but at least his accident may raise awareness for the charities and send out a warning not to ski on rocks. Or ski at all, for that matter.

Gary's response to the Mail and others:

http://formerf1doc.wordpress.com/2014/0 ... t-reports/

Gary's further thoughts on Michaels future:

http://formerf1doc.wordpress.com/2014/0 ... -detailed/


Really folks, if you are interested in Micheal Schumacher's state it is worth following Dr Hartstein's blog, it doesn't have much traffic but every post is fascinating:

http://formerf1doc.wordpress.com/



Finally, and somewhat separately, Gary posted a link to a useful (just hope you never need to use it) column on how to help someone who has had a loved one die or suffer serious injury:

http://www.nytimes.com/2014/01/21/opini ... ef=opinion

That's more like it - highly informed if sober reading - thanks for the links.

Gary Hartstein always comes across to me as someone who puts common sense ahead of politics. Little wonder he was sidelined from the world of F1.