Lauda heaps praise on Michael, and dismisses Moss


By Greig Murray
July 21 2002

Jaguar boss and former Ferrari favourite Nikki Lauda has heaped words of praise on Michael Schumacher. Lauda has spoken about Schumacher’s relentless charge to the title and dismissed Stirling Moss’s Fangio comparison.

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Speaking to the News of the World Nikki Lauda heaped praise on four times champion Michael Schumacher who could win his fifth title this weekend in France. “As long as Michael races, he will win,” said Lauda. “You have to maintain the speed and the motivation race after race, year after year. It is not easy but Michael is just outstanding. You can’t do it just for the money, no matter how much you are paid.”

"He missed the title for four years as he built the team around him. Now everything is organised in the best possible way. He has done that all himself, how the team works, when he tests and even how much time he spends away from the track.”

Recent talk is of Schumacher retiring at the end of this season, Lauda however does not agree with this media speculation. “He will keep going and win at least 80 races and six titles, probably a lot more.” Lauda who won two world titles for Ferrari in the 70’s added “If you want the most charismatic guy, I’d say it was Ayrton Senna. But Michael Schumacher is the best in the world.”

Stirling Moss was keen to put down Schumacher in comparison with Juan Manuel Fangio, claiming that the German would never be as good as Fangio, but Lauda does not agree with this.

“Fangio’s era was different," commented Nikki. “There was less competition, he could jump from one car to another and still win. It’s wrong to compare the two eras but if you look at the last 10 years there is no one anywhere near Schumacher in any respect – winning, qualifying or preparation. Winning is what we are all judged on in Formula One, not about how charismatic he is or how sympathetic he is, or how well he works with sponsors.”

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