Brundle Critical of 'Ruthless' Schumacher

Former Grand Prix driver Martin Brundle has criticised six-times World Champion Michael Schumacher saying that his "ruthlessness" on track goes too far.

"He is a brilliant driver with consummate skill and yet there is a ruthlessness which goes too far," Brundle, who drove alongside Schumacher in 1992, told the Daily Express. "We saw that again on Sunday when he quite savagely put his car in front of his brother Ralf, who was looking to overtake.

"You might say that is why he is a six-time World Champion but he does not need to show that streak. We have seen 'the Schumacher chop' across rivals off the line which has almost put people into the wall and he had one natural reaction in the final race title decider in 1997 when he found Jacques Villeneuve coming past - and drove into him.

"That does not fit with how he presents himself in other respects and it is a shame."

Brundle, however, claims that Schumacher could have won nine World Championships already in his career had fortune been on his side in his early years with Ferrari, who he joined in 1996 but had to wait until 2000 for his first title for the Italian team.

"Michael's record speaks for itself," he added. "Michael could easily have been celebrating nine championships by now if little things here and there had gone for him. Don't forget he joined Ferrari in 1996 when the team were a joke in many quarters.

"Again he was clever, taking (Ross) Brawn and (Rory) Byrne from Benetton and that backroom team is still dominant, built around Michael, who has helped create a superb spirit."

Schumacher clinched a record-breaking sixth title, surpassing Juan Manuel Fangio as the driver with the most numbers of crowns. Brundle refused to compare Schumacher with the late Argentinean, but said the German's achievements should be appreciated while he still competes.

"You cannot compare him with Fangio. How can you do that in different eras with vastly different power," Brundle added. "What is undoubted is that he is head and shoulders above the rest and we should revel in his sporting greatness while he is around."