Schumacher has already overtaken Rosberg

Superstition, apparently, has seen Michael Schumacher edge ahead of new teammate Nico Rosberg before a wheel has even been turned. You see, 2009 world champion Jenson Button has taken the number 1 with him to McLaren. This means the new Mercedes-Benz team will be carrying the numbers 3 and 4 during 2010. The team’s first signing, Rosberg, was originally given the number 3 for his car. Since then, of course, Michael Schumacher has walked through the door. It would be normal, then, to assume Schumacher will race in 2010 with the number 4 on his car.

However, Michael has a preference for odd numbers, so we are being told. Seeing as he has won all seven of his world titles racing with an odd number on his car perhaps this makes sense. Therefore, Michael asked if he could swap numbers with Rosberg. Supposedly the younger team member agreed with no fuss. In doing so, has Rosberg merely cemented his junior status both in age and in team ranking?

Maybe it’s nothing, but I reckon this is the first of Schumacher’s inevitable mind games. Shrewd bugger, isn’t he. I mean, Michael won five of his world titles as defending champion, that is, he was carrying #1 on his car, as is the right of the current title holder. So the whole odd number thing is a bit of a misnomer, isn’t it, Yeah, #1 is an odd number, but it’s hardly something to build a superstition on.

Maybe Schumi should ask Jenson if he wouldn’t mind giving up number 1 as well. It’s only fair, chances are Button won’t have #1 in 2011 anyway. And, let’s face it, if you tally up the number of titles won by the other drivers in the field Michael is still three championships ahead. Just give the guy #1 now and be done with it. He deserves it more than the other kids.

[Source: The Guardian]