Formula One news

Schumacher set to eclipse Senna mantle

Michael Schumacher has moved to within striking distance of the only significant F1 record still held by late triple champion Ayrton Senna. At Suzuka on Sunday, Ferrari's top driver steered his 63rd pole position in a thirteen-season career -- just two short of Senna's all time record (65).

But some observers do not believe the pole mantle will automatically make Schumacher the best ever qualifier, as he took longer than Brazil's Senna to collect top honours. Senna, who would have been 44 this year if not killed in a Williams racer at Imola a decade ago, scored his 65 poles in 162 grands prix. Schumacher, in his 162nd grand prix, had managed 'just' 41.

Damon Hill, uniquely poised to comment on the issue as he was Senna's team-mate in 1994 - but also went head-to-head with Schumacher for the same season's title - said both have a claim as one of F1's true greats.

"If you had to have a heart operation," the 1996 world champion added, "you'd ask for the Schumacher of the heart surgery world -- you can rely on him to do the job."

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