Italian Media Mock Schumacher for "Losing Instructions" to F1 Racing

In a race that most have characterized as one of the best in the last decade, Michael Schumacher spent the majority of Sunday afternoon in the rear of the field, battling Virgins, Lotuses and Toro Rossos for a place in the Top 10. And, since his performance on Sunday came only a few days after it had emerged that Schumacher is currently topping the earning classification in F1, the Italian media did not lose the opportunity to criticize the 7-time world champion once again.

After being involved in a racing incident in the first corner of the race, Schumacher had to pit for a new front wing and practically started the race from the last position. Although the early deployed safety car managed to keep the entire field within his reach, Schumacher failed to pass them one by one – like he used to, in the old days.

As a comparison, Ferrari's Fernando Alonso, who had to start from P22 following a spin in the first corner, managed to challenge for a Top 10 position by Lap 17.

“The (W01) car is not the best, but one of its drivers - the one with seven titles and earning 30 million - seems to have lost the instructions. The proof? He was overtaken by the Virgin, and Badoer was crucified for much less (in 2009),” noted the Italian reporters from La Stampa.

“Are we confident that Michael Schumacher is really under that red helmet? Perhaps Montezemolo was right when he said it is his twin,” added the Italian newspaper, while UK's The Sun noted: “that's not what Mercedes have paid him 30 million to come out of retirement for. At this rate, Schumacher may not see out the first season of his three-year deal.”

As far as Schumacher is concerned, the German insisted he had his share or fun during the Australian GP, despite not being able to return to the top positions by the chequered flag.

“I was still having fun as our pace today was promising and for part of the race, we were going quicker than the top group,” said Schu, while insisting that “that incident (in the first corner) decided my race, obviously.”