How Formula 1's Front-Runners Can Beat Schumacher's Legacy

Whilst Michael Schumacher's comeback has been average at best, his preceding legacy meant that the German champion firmly instated himself as a multiple record breaker. 

In the history of Formula 1, never has a competitor demolished the competition on such a frequent and consistent basis, leaving the current crop of leading talent with a mountain to climb if they want to outshine his legendary status.

But are Schumacher's feats completely impossible to overcome? Or have the various rule changes and additions to the calendar made the thought of his impeccable statistics being beaten more achievable?

Here are a few of the 7-time champion's accolades with the drivers that could alternatively claim them.

Champion Titles & Consecutive Titles

Current Schumacher records:

Total titles: 7

Consecutive titles: 5

Two titles for Michael at Benetton in 94' and 95' were followed by complete dominance at Ferrari between 2000 and 2004.

His seven world titles stand as a testament to the speed and talent encompassed within and his ability to transform an occasional race winning team into a title winning outfit.

After his initial exit from the sport, much was made of the wide variety of potential title winners in comparison to the lack of a constant competition to Schumacher's crown.

Alonso, Raikkonen, Massa, Kubica, Button, Barrichello, Hamilton, Webber and Vettel each took turns in either leading the title race or at least being in with a chance.

Alonso took two consecutive titles at Renault and built himself a reputation as being one of, if not the most rounded racer on track.

Yet his ill fated move to Mclaren and then even further decline back at Renault halted what could have been a glorious run.

It is only now he looks able to win races again and challenge for the title at Ferrari. 2012 could be the season where we are reminded why many regard him as the best in the field. He could potentially gain the future titles that will further elevate his status. 

In amongst the catalogue of other drivers however, it is Sebastian Vettel who looks most likely to challenge Schumacher's title wins. As he looks to have his second consecutive title in the bag the Red Bull driver has one major advantage—his age.

His early emergence into the sport means he has many certain years within the sport and therefore a barrage of opportunity to overtake Schumacher's tally.

His dominance this season has echoed Schumacher's demolition at different points in the last 20 years. A continuation of this could see him reach the seven titles of Schumacher in no time at all, even edging him into double figures if other teams and drivers cannot keep up.

If the last few seasons have taught us anything though, it is that no one is truly invincible. If future seasons follow on from the game of musical chairs being played then it may be a long time before anyone comes close to this record.  

Race Victories

Current Record: 91 wins

Michael Schumacher showed real emotion when reaching certain tallies of victories. Tears were shed when he made it to Ayrton Senna's total of 41.

When he became the man with the highest total he just kept going and going. He was making it look easy. Whilst mouths may have watered at the misjudged prospect of him becoming the first to hit three figures upon his return at Mercedes, his current total of 91 seems unbeatable.

Yet with the number of Grand Prix per season still on the increase and with various younger drivers in the field could this tally be as unreachable as it had seemed at the time?

Currently the highest of his competitors, Fernando Alonso sits on 27 race victories. At 30 you would expect another five to ten years of action from the Spaniard. His years of mediocrity may have halted his progress but any period of the style of dominance shown by Schumacher at Ferrari that replicated by Alonso could edge him closer. 

Mathematically if he were to remain a race winner for ten years it would equate to 6.4 wins per year, which is a tall order but not one out of his reach.

Sebastian Vettel and Lewis Hamilton both currently have 16 race wins under their belt. At 24 and 26 respectively both have a good few years on Alonso and with twenty races per season would only need about 7 or 8 per season to catch up with Michael.

And you have to admit, with the consistency and reliability shown by Sebastian Vettel and Red Bull this season this doesn't seem too tall an order.  

Wins with 1 Team

Current record: 72 - Michael Schumacher & Ferrari

Whilst it was easy to moan about the bore fest that became Formula 1 under Schumacher's dominance at the start of the century, you have to admit it was inspiring.

For a driver to eliminate the competition with such ease showed you just how well the driver and team partnership could work.

It is hard to believe that anyone could amass more victories at one team than Schumacher did at Ferrari. Yet we do have a few drivers who seem comfortable within their teams, who could remain race winners with them and in the process challenge the 72 triumphant amount set by Schumacher.

Obviously the most likely is Vettel who has already clocked up 15 Grand Prix wins at Red Bull. This season he has shown why he is the number one driver as Mark Webber has been left in the shade. Vettel has lead the Milton Keynes based outfit into a period of control. If this should continue then there is nothing to stop them from becoming an even mightier force than Schumacher did at Ferrari. 

It may all come down to how well the driver and the team react to the current situation where Mclaren and Ferrari have clawed back the advantage.

Then there is Lewis Hamilton, the golden boy of Mclaren. His 16 wins for Mclaren mean he is a good match for the likes of Vettel. Whilst his early run of results at the team has not always flowed he has shown in the last few of seasons that he can win races.

Again with this tally it is certain that Lewis would need the car to produce the kind of performance that can afford him victories.

Alonso is another one to look out for with eight victories at Ferrari. The resurgence they have witnessed of late means they should not be discarded as an option.  

Wins at Different Grand Prix

Current record: 22 

Grand Prix won by Schumacher (in order): Belguim, Portugal, Brazil, Pacific, San Marino, Monaco, Canada, France, Hungary, Europe, Spain, Germany, Japan, Italy, Argentina, Great Britain, Australia, USA, Malaysia, Austria, Bahrain, China

Obviously if you have amassed 91 wins then the chances are you have won at a lot of different Grand Prix events. In total Schumacher has triumphed at 22 different events, a total that spans his 20 years of the sport where some tracks have come and gone, whereas others were introduced during. 

Whilst a notable statistic is his eight wins at the French Grand Prix-a record in itself- his overall tally of different Grand Prix may not be that difficult to overcome.

Fernando Alonso for example is already on 17 and a debut triumph this weekend at Spa could leave him only four shy of his predecessor. With new tracks also appearing on the calender such as the Indian Grand Prix there is definite room for others to catch up.

Hamilton and Vettel have won at 12 different Grand Prix. Again you feel Vettel has the greater opportunity as he begins to accumulate victories at new tracks but nothing is to stop Hamilton from adding to his amount at tracks like Valencia and Monza.   

Most 2nd Place Finishes

Current Record: 43

It's hard to believe that someone of Schumacher's calibre has finished second best so many times but his tally of second place finishes currently leads the next best in today's grid by 20. 

Fernando Alonso currently sits at 23 runner up spots and as the Ferrari begins to work its way back to the front of the grid there is a definite chance that the Spaniard could close in on the amount in the next few seasons.

Lewis Hamilton also sits on 15, with current Red Bull drivers Webber and Vettel on 9 and 8 second place finishes respectively.

These four will all seek to continue their front end action and could reach this accolade in a hard earned and at times unwelcome fashion.

It is worth mentioning here poor old Nick Heidfeld who is the driver currently in the field with most second places without a win—his total currently standing at a distant 7. 

Podium Finishes & Consecutive Podium Finishes

Current Schumacher Records:

Overall Podiums: 154

Consecutive: 19

When you consider that most drivers don't even reach 150 Grand Prix, Michael Schumacher's total of podium placed finishes is insane.

He's won more races than he finished in second or third combined but still graced the steps of the podium on 154 occasions. Even more extraordinary is his tally of 19 consecutive top three results spanning from the US Grand Prix of 2000 until the 2011 Japanese Grand Prix.

With improved reliability however both of these records are not unattainable. Fernando Alonso amassed 15 consecutive podium finishes across the 2005/2006 seasons. Sebastian Vettel has also shown his consistency totalling 11 straight podiums from the last two Grand Prix of 2010 until the German Grand Prix this year where he finished 4th. It could only take a few more runs like this to reach the benchmark set by Schumacher.

When it comes to total podium finishes Alonso is currently at 69. Hamilton has a respectful 40, with Button at 36, Vettel at 29 and Webber at 26. One person I would certainly not rule out if he were to be given a more competitive car is Robert Kubica. 

The Polish driver has currently achieved 12 podium placed finishes but has proven himself capable of repetitive strong drives. 

All of the drivers mentioned would need to go some way in an attempt to break Schumacher's record but with twenty Grand Prix per season, an amount of ten per season would put the likes of Vettel, Alonso and Hamilton all over the threshold. 

Consecutive Top 2 Finishes

Current record: 15

Some drivers are born to win, and can easily amass a run of points or podium scoring positions. But it takes a true champion to finish in the top two race in race out.

Unsurprisingly the three drivers with the best runs of top two finishes in the last 20 years are Michael Schumacher- 15 in 2002, Sebastian Vettel- 11 from the end of 2010 and the first few races of 2011, and Fernando Alonso- 10 from 2005 to 2006.

In each period the driver obliterated the competition, leaving little room for error and few opportunities for competitors to penetrate the front two spots.

Both Alonso and Vettel have the determination and tenacity to overtake Schumacher's total from Brazil until Japan in 2002, so this record may be one that will stand for only a short while longer.  

Points Scoring Finishes & Points Scored

Current Schumacher Records:

Points Finishes: 208

Total Points: 1473

Unfortunately for Schumacher his tally of points scored will be beaten due to the current totals awarded for victories and positions down to tenth. 

Yet his total of 208 points scoring finishes provides an enticing challenge indeed. If you forget that Rubens Barrichello is the next highest of the current set of drivers, there are a few people certainly capable of reaching this tally.

20 Grand Prix per season with points now being paid for anyone in the top ten it has made this target a lot easier to achieve. Alonso and Jenson Button have both amassed more than 100 points finishes, at 117 and 102 respectively. Mark Webber has 75, Hamilton 62 and Sebastian Vettel is on 49. 

The dark horse of Robert Kubica also has a credible total of 46 finishes in the points.

Whilst Mark Webber may only have a handful of Grand Prix left there are certain opportunities for the likes of Alonso, Button and Vettel. Button has admitted his desire to follow Schumacher in competing into his late thirties and early forties. 

Alonso and Vettel on the other hand are more than capable of finishing race after race in the points. With reliability currently at a peak it could be that more than one driver will reach Schumacher's tally. Then at least one record will fall out of Schumacher's clutches. 

Although we do have to remember that the victor himself is still adding to this incredible amount.

Consecutive Points Finishes

Current record: 24

This is a record that could be being broken as we speak. Both Mark Webber and Sebastian Vettel are on thirteen consecutive points finishes since their double retirement last year in Korea. 

Unless reliability or a racing collision comes into force either driver could edge ahead of Schumacher's record set between 2001 and 2003. 

Fernando Alonso came close in the 2005 and 2006 campaigns, reaching 18 straight points finishes, and again he could become a handful of drivers able to overtake Schumacher's tally. 

Pole Positions & Double Wins

Current record: 68

Double Wins (Pole + Win): 40

As things stand Michael Schumacher's tally of 68 qualifying poles looks one of his easiest records to beat. The simple reason for this is Sebastian Vettel.

At the age of 24 Schumacher's protege has already achieved 23 front of the grid slots, 8 of which he has won this season. His awesome ability at finding that extra tenth or hundredth has meant that he is able to destroy the competition in qualifying and has enabled him to control the race from the front.

If he were to achieve ten poles a year he would overtake Schumacher before his 30th birthday so who knows what total he could amass by the time he retires. For now he is the one to beat in this respect.

Fernando Alonso and Lewis Hamilton are not far behind with 20 and 18 pole positions respectively. A season for either in a dominant car could edge them ahead of Sebastian and in with a shot at gaining the record in the long run. 

Where Schumacher may have a record for life is the ability to turn a pole position into a win. Whereas Vettel is a third of the way to achieving the number of poles set he is only a quarter of the way up to the record for the full conversion.

In fact it is Alonso with 13 double wins who is closest, thus showing that Sebastian still has a lot to learn if he wants to be considered a legend in waiting.  

Most Wins & Podiums in a Season

Current Schumacher Records:

Podiums in a season: 17 - set in 2002

Wins in a season: 13 - set in 2004

A one hundred percent success rate of podium finishes in 2002 ensured that Michael Schumacher was well and truly the one to beat. His time at Ferrari in 2004 also allowed him to overtake Nigel Mansell's record of victories in one competitive season.

Both amounts were remarkable at the time and still on reflection show how much the German controlled the sport. For all of his controversial moments it is statistics like these which highlight his achievements. 

Some drivers have come close in future seasons. In 2005 Fernando Alonso totaled 15 podium finishes and Lewis Hamilton scored a respectable 12 in 2007.

This season however there is a definite chance the record may be broken. Sebastian Vettel has scored ten podiums so far this season and with 8 races remaining could set a new target for future drivers to aim for. The youngster is also capable of taking the most wins accolade, needing to win 7 of the remaining 8 Grand Prix to do so.

With a lot of Schumacher's records, the introduction of more Grand Prix will allow current and future drivers a greater opportunity to break the record. Next season 14 wins out of 20 is certainly not an impossible challenge.