Stirling Moss believes that Michael Schumacher could be in for a sharp reality check when he makes his return to Formula 1 this season as a 41-year-old, three years after his retirement. Moss, who retired from the sport as a 32-year-old following a bad accident at Goodwood in 1962, said that he admires Schumacher's bravery in deciding to come back with Mercedes GP, but doubts the German can add to his tally of championships.
"I think he is very brave to come back, I think it is very good for the sport," Moss said. "He has gone to the best team I think, but that doesn't mean he is going to win. To beat people like Vettel, and Alonso – who is a very dark horse at the moment – I think he has his work cut out, actually.
"One problem with Michael, from my point of view, is that he has never really had a really fast number two, and usually the best way you can tell how fast a driver is is to look at the number two and see where he is in relation to him. He's had Rubens, who is a terrific man and a very quick driver, but one doesn't look at him as being one of the very fastest – and yet sometimes he was quicker.
"I don't personally think he will win it. It's too early to say, but I think it will go to Vettel or Alonso. I think it is good for the sport, but I don't think he was very well advised to take it."