Simply the best?

Following Michael Schumacher's decision to retire from Formula 1 at the end of the current season, there is much discussion about his place in motor racing history, and in particular how he should be judged in the light of his various "bad boy" moments. For me, he is without doubt the best racing driver I have ever seen, if only because of his ability to get the best out of a bad car, or one with problems. There are many drivers who can shine when put in the fastest car, but Schumacher was and is the only driver I have seen who could shine when not in the fastest car. Who can forget 1994 in Spain, when he came a close second despite the car being stuck in 5th gear for most of the race. Who else could have done that? What I find slightly disturbing is that when talking about the ruthless side to his nature, comparisons are invariably made with Ayrton Senna - perhaps the only other driver worthy to be mentioned in the same breath - as though somehow Senna was whiter than white. Does nobody remember 1989/90 and what happened between him and Alain Prost? Fair do's, folks!