Schumacher Admits to Motion Sickness

Last week, a media report said that a lot of the struggles experienced by Michael Schumacher last season were linked to his limited amount of time spent in the Brackley F1 simulator prior to the season start. And that was because, apparently, the 7-time world champion is subject to motion sickness.

Talking to the Telegraph Sport last weekend, Schumacher addressed those allegations and admitted that this was indeed the case last season. While doing so however, he stressed that it had little to do with his performances in the W01 and stopped short from using it as an excuse, as many drivers are experiencing similar problems when having to step into those F1 simulators.

“I think almost all the drivers that I know have had it (motion sickness),” said Schu. “When we had our first simulator at Ferrari I had exactly this feeling already so it's nothing to do with age. People get used to it by going through certain processes.”

Earlier this month, his team boss Ross Brawn told the media that part of Mercedes GP's struggle to improve its 2010 car was related to the lack of a competitive F1 simulator, but promised that his team will make use of a new high-tech unit sometime in 2012. As far as Schumacher is concerned however, work in the simulator is overrated anyway.

“As far as I understand there are some other top teams that have a simulator but make very little use of it,” added the 42-year old German. “For us drivers the main benefit of them would be to get used to a track. But for me personally that has never been an issue. I don't see the big advantage of them.”