Michael Schumacher Returns: Finally F1 Is Worth Watching Again

Seeing Michael Schumacher above in a headset just doesn't seem right, he should be in a helmet with his backside firmly planted in the latest Ferrari F1 car.

Roughly three years since his retirement, the rain master is back.

First off, I must state that it is somewhat wrong and inappropriate that he should make his temporary comeback because of the injury that has befallen Brazilian Felipe Massa.

However, what matters is that Massa will be okay, suffers no long-term damage and is around to see his unborn child grown up.

Speaking of children growing up, I grew up watching Michael Schumacher circulating a track in Formula One and boy, did I love it.

I have no special interest in cars, I can't even drive. I do like how they look, the Mini Cooper being my favourite, but talking about aerodynamics and tyre compounds is akin to talking the most difficult of physics with me—I don't get it.

Despite this seeming disinterest, I used to get up at crazy hours in the morning to watch the opening race of the F1 calender which was then held in Australia. It didn't matter the time or the place, I'd be planted in front of the television cheering on Jordan and Michael Schumacher.

Following Jordan is quite understandable as for those that know me know I am Irish and proud. Here was a small team from a tiny country mixing with the big boys.

However, it was really Michael Schumacher that caught my attention.

What a sportsman!

Since his Benetton days I have been in awe at his brilliance.

Okay, on occasion Schumacher took the idea of sport and its rules to the limits but very rarely did he break them.

Yes, he tried to shunt Damon Hill off the track but he paid the price.

This was a guy that was so good at his sport that they had to change the rules to try and catch him. I suppose the brains of Ross Brawn and the speed of Michael Schumacher is a hard thing to equal, never mind surpass.

Schumacher, though, was in his element in the rain. Then again he was in his element in the dry, or fog, or glaring heat. He was in his element just driving.

I also think I loved him because sections of the British media hated him, a combination of him being so dominant and German. They seemed to think he must be cheating, someone or something that isn't British shouldn't be so good.

Schumacher put them back in their box and kept them there [Please note I am speaking of the xenophobic British media and not the British in general].

So, for 12 years I watched every F1 Grand Prix I could. 

Then Schumacher stopped, so I stopped.

Jordan was already gone and with Schumacher's departure the last real character of F1 had disappeared.

I've watched parts of the last two F1 in parts to be honest it bored me.

The qualification seems messy, the current World Champion has the personality of paint drying and everyone is fighting.

Where are the Mika Hakkinens? The Juan Pablo Montoyas? The Eddie Jordans?

Where are the personalities that made this sport a spectacle?

Speaking of the current World Champion, he seems a bit of a bully boy in races. Don't get me wrong, fair play to him, to win you need to do certain things but let's see you try and push Michael Schumacher off the track. You'll know what a sand trap is like then Lewis.

I guess we will find out soon.

I've not planned to watch a Formula One race in years but rest assured the weekend of the 21st-23rd of August is marked in my diary.

Welcome back Michael Schumacher, you have been missed.