It seems Michael Schumacher's F1 comeback is not doing his reputation any good as, instead of the magician many have come to know, he's proving he's just human.
Schumacher dominated Formula One in the early 2000s, winning five World titles on the trot with Ferrari to add to those he clinched in 1994 and 1995 with Benetton.
The German tasted unprecedented success with many believing that some of his records, such as his seven World titles and 91 race victories, may never be broken.
Schumacher's triumphs gave him an almost mythological status and the grounds on which he could claim the title as the best Formula One driver ever. And it was on that note that he quit the sport back in 2006.
However, three years on the sidelines, Schumacher returned to F1 with Mercedes GP this season and his results have done nothing for his reputation.
While one could argue that he's been out of the sport for a while and needs time to find his feet, at least one former rival believes the shine has been taken off Schumacher's reputation.
"Maybe he has lost his feeling for driving during the three years of his retirement," Jos Verstappen, Schumacher's Benetton team-mate back in 1994, told Dutch newspaper De Telegraaf.
"What we are now seeing is that Schumacher is an ordinary man of flesh and blood and that even he cannot conduct magic."
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