The Schu fits! Why Michael Schumacher leads the race for Formula 1 greatness

Imagine having to predict the winner from a grid comprising Schumacher, Senna, Prost, Fangio, Hamilton, Raikkonen and Clark. Such is the enormity of the predicament one would face picking the best driver ever in Formula 1 history.

However, for the staggering nature of his statistics, his incredible consistency and his ability to pull off the most impossible of feats with consummate ease – my pick for the best driver ever in Formula 1 history is Michael Schumacher.

Chances are that his record of 154 podiums, 91 wins, 68 poles and seven championship wins will never be eclipsed. But what was it that made Schumacher a complete driver?

There have always been drivers who have been great in qualifying but not as good when it came to races (Mark Webber and Felipe Massa spring to mind) and vice-versa, but Schumacher, like Senna and Prost, was just as brilliant on Saturdays as on Sundays.