Michael Schumacher fans may be bemoaning his P6 in Bahrain while his detractors are rejoicing over it, seeing it as a clear sign that the German no longer has the ability that carried him to seven World titles.
In fact, one PF1 Your Say even went as far as to say that if Schumacher doesn't win the title this season it's proof that he only won his help with the help of the FIA.
But really, P6 and after a three-year lay-off? Let's see the rest of you do that.
Schumacher hasn't competed in a Formula One grand prix since the 2006 Brazilian race and yet he qualified his car seventh on the grid and finished the race sixth. And in order to claim that sixth he had to keep Mark Webber, a recent grand prix winner, at bay throughout the opening stint of the race. And let's not forget, Schumacher beat the 2009 World Champ Jenson Button on Sunday afternoon.
And while you could argue that he was four seconds behind his team-mate Nico Rosberg, I draw you back to the fact that Schumacher is returning from three years on the sidelines while Rosberg spent that time honing his craft.
So all in all, not bad for a 41 year old...
And it's not just me leaping to realism. When Jacques Villeneuve is impressed with anything Schumacher does then it must be very impressive. And "very impressive" is exactly how Villeneuve described Schumacher's comeback.
Michelle Foster
