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Monday, October 21 Updated: October 23, 12:00 AM ET  Ability or Ferrari? ESPN.com The 2002 Formula One season was all about Ferrari. Michael Schumacher ran away with his fifth series title, winning 11 races, and Rubens Barrichello's four victories helped ensure a constructor's championship for Ferrari. Schumacher is widely considered to be one of the best -- if not the best -- drivers on the planet. But Ferrari did notch nine one-two finishes this year and the showed an ability to completely dominate McLaren, Williams and the rest of the field. So, can Schumacher be given all of the credit for his championship? Would he have won the title this season in a McLaren? And how well would a David Coulthard, Juan Pablo Montoya, Ralf Schumacher or even a Jacques Villeneuve have done in a Ferrari? Check out some of the responses from our users:
The answer: Schumacher
Schumacher certainly can be given all of the credit for his championship. Developing the Ferrari is just as, if not more, critical a part of the job of a driver as what he does on race day. Schumacher developed the 1994 and 1995 Benetton into a championship-winning car, and he then took Ferrari from a near-shambles to be the most dominant team of recent history. Other drivers on the grid are in teams that are in better shape than Ferrari was in back in 1996, but none of them have won championships except for Villeneuve, whose Williams was already a championship-winning car when he stepped into it. Other drivers may have won races given the Ferrari, but none would have beaten Schumacher without a bit of luck. Peter Ebright New York
I am a Williams fan, but I respect Schumacher as a driver and acknowledge that he is clearly one of the sport's elite. However, I think his contribution to the team may be greater off the track than on it. If you were to put someone like Mika Salo in the F2002 he would have probably won a lot of races, and possibly even won the championship. However, if Salo had been the primary Ferrari driver since 1996 instead of Schumacher, I do not believe that the F2002 would be nearly as competitive or that Ferrari would have three consecutive championships. Michael's contributions to car development may be more important than his ability on the track. Therefore, I think he deserves much of the credit for this championship. Dennis Leeke Salt Lake City
Michael Schumacher could win the championship in a Minardi. He is that good. David Glaysher Toronto
Like in any other form of auto racing, the equipment plays a major role in whether a driver is successful or not. However, in any given race there are thousands of situations that require a flawless performance from the driver with no mistakes. While I think that Coulthard, Montoya or R. Schumacher all would have been successful driving a Ferrari, I don't think that any of them would have been as dominant as Schumacher was this year. Only the combination of superior equipment and superior driving could accomplish these results Mark Brown Des Moines, Iowa
Tony DiLorenzo Gainesville, Va.
Schumi is by far the greatest driver on the planet. He proved this when he drove for Benetton, which was an uncompetitive car with a very tricky oversteer. The rest of the grid can complain all they want but Ferrari doesn't have to slow down, the other teams just have work harder and catch up with Ferrari. And lastly, put Schumi in a McLaren, Williams or Renault and he will still bag the championship. And one more thing, I am sick and tired of the rest of the grid whining. Ndifor Ndumu Bowie, Md.
You better believe Schumacher deserves credit. While his team did provide him with the best car in the field, it was Schumacher who resurrected Ferrari in the first place when he came to the Prancing Horse in '96. No driver titles in 21 years, and now Michael has won three in a row. That says something. Andy Jacobs Dallas
There is no doubt in my mind that Schumacher would have won the championship this year driving a Williams or a McLaren. I believe that those teams would have risen to the challenge if he were driving for them. Don't forget his two championships at Benetton and fall of that team after he left. Ferrari was very fortunate to get him, and he is worth every penny of the money it takes to keep him. I believe he is better than Prost or Senna. Although, I will concede that Coulthard, Montoya or even Villeneuve would have had a much better season in Mike's Ferrari! Mark Jarvis Greenville, Ky.
Schumacher is the best driver and that is not only because he can drive the car, but he knows the engineering. Who do you think brought together the team of individuals who have made Ferrari the dominant force they are? Just remember that team before he got there. He is the greatest driver because he is more than just the driver. He gets more out of the car because he gets more out of the team. Phil Cunio Carlisle, Pa.
Plain and simple, Michael Schumacher could have won the championship this season in a go-kart. Schumacher is the best in F1, why even doubt it? Terry Dickerson Upper Chichester, Pa.
The answer: Ferrari
Though arguably the best driver in F1, the dominance of the Ferrari was the main factor in the series this year. Not only was it the fastest, it was also the most reliable. If Michael Schumacher had not won 11 races, Rubens Barrichello would have still won enough races to win the championship. Any of the top drivers would have won a lot of races if they were able to switch seats with Michael Schumacher. Tim Claus Newport News, Va.
Sure, Michael is a fair driver, but definitely not the greatest driver on the planet, he just happens to be in the most well built car in the most expensive racing series on the planet. I have to give most of the credit to the car for his stellar year. There is no competition in F1, it's the big money teams that are doing all the racing. Ferrari No. 1, then Williams and McLaren. No one else even comes close. I don't know how those other teams stay in business in F1. I personally feel that if the F1 drivers were in an IROC-type event where all the cars were identical then we would see who the better driver is, and my money is Juan Pablo Montoya! Scott Rogers Port Hueneme, Calif.
I think even Alex Yoong could have won a grand prix if he had had the chance to drive Michael Schumacher's Ferrari. Driver skill seems to have very little to do with success in Formula One these days. Let's put Schuey in a Champ car and see how brilliant he is. Tony Johns Scottsdale, Ariz.
Gavin Federico Steubenville, Ohio
It was most definitely the car this year. Schumi is a superb driver, but with the reliability and the speed of this year's model almost anyone could have won the championship. Will Reiners Greencastle, Ind.
Certainly Juan Montoya, and probably a few others, would have dominated like Schumacher in that Ferrari. People who think otherwise are fooling themselves. John Morrissey New York
The championship would have been won by someone in a Ferrari. Any reasonably good driver could have come up with a half-dozen or so wins driving for Ferrari. Gill Strong Athens, Ala.
Schumacher is overrated. Any one of the drivers, Villeneuve, Montoya or about a dozen other drivers could have done the same in that car. F1 is a joke, its all about who has the most money versus who is the better driver. Equalize the cars and then you will know. Walter Kniffin Bayern, Germany
No doubt Schumacher is a great driver, but anyone -- and I mean even Alex Yoong -- would have won the championship driving a Ferrari. Especially given the inability of McLaren and Williams to even finish races this year, let alone perform well. Kriton Papavasiliou Miami
Juan Pablo would of won the title in a Ferrari. Look at how many pole positions that he landed through out the season. Schumacher would have do well in the McLaren but no way would he have won the F1 title. Ferrari had the superior car on race day every weekend. Tim White Millbury, Ma.
The answer: Both
Michael Schumacher is a great driver, probably one of the best ever. But this year any of the top six or seven drivers would have won the championship in a Ferrari, that's how dominant they were. The real question is if all the drivers drove Ferraris, would Michael have still won? I think so, but it would have been a hell of a lot closer. Peter Volpe Gaithersburg, Md.
Schumacher is the best there is. He made Benetton a team to be feared earlier in his career. Despite this, I think anyone could have won the championship in a Ferrari this season, no way does he win it with any other team. Kevin Silvestri Marlboro, N.J.
This is auto racing after all. Drivers make a difference, but the equipment is the most important factor. Look no further than Jamie McMurray's win at Charlotte, especially since NASCAR is considered the most competitive of the major motorsports. This should not take anything away from Schumacher, however. He has proven that he is one of the best ever in F1. Greg Lane Chesapeake, Va.
It is both ability and Ferrari. Michael Schumacher is a legendary driver whose team just happen to make the best car this year. Granted, you could put Schumacher in a Jaguar and he would probably not win the championship, but he would win some races and make a run. Likewise, if Alex Yoong were to spend a year in the Ferrari, he might win a race here and there, but I don't think he would be the champ. Rob Eberle Birmingham, Ala.  Send this story to a friend | Most sent stories
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