Can Schu be stalled?

World champion Michael Schumacher makes the perfect start to his campaign for five Formula One titles by winning the first race of the new season in Australia.

Can anyone stop the German taking this year's title?

Schumacher may be driving last year's Ferrari, but still dominated the event on the way to the 54th victory of his Grand Prix career.

Juan Pablo Montoya driving for Williams-BMW finished in second place and Kimi Raikkonen third on his debut for McLaren as only eight cars finished the race.

A first-corner accident took out eight cars and was caused by a collision between Barrichello and Ralf Schumacher, raising questions of F1 safety once again.

Who is your tip for the title in 2002?

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Schumacher is one of the best. But I believe that Coulthard will still pip him to the post in the end. It is his year.
Jonathan Taylor, UK

Put DC or Monty in the other Ferrari and then we'd see some racing

Dave, France

Does anyone else think there would have been a restart if it had been Schumacher shunted out rather than Barrichello?
Derek Fox, UK

If DC did not have the worst luck in the world he would have given Schumacher a challenge for once.
Nahied, UK

What a boring year it would be if the Schumi camp are correct. Put DC or Monty in the other Ferrari and then we'd see some racing. McLaren need to get their act together, but hey, who can judge after just one (extraodinary) race.
Dave, France

Schumacher is a superb, though unsporting driver, and has to be the favourite because he can win without having the best car - a feat acheived in recent years only by him and Hakkinen.

If the Williams is fast and reliable, Montoya will chase Schumacher all the way and will win races. David Coulthard, who I have never rated, faces a dreadful season. If he outqualifies and outraces Raikonnen, no-one will give him credit for it, and if he is outclassed by the boy it will be the end for him.
David Cavanagh, Italy

Isn't it time F1 changed to a rolling start after Sunday's fiasco?
Nick Morrell, USA

He would go up in my estimation if Barrichello was allowed to race him and not have to wave Michael past

Steve Robinson, England

I think it's somewhat premature to make judgements after just one race. I just hope McLaren sort their reliability problems out much earlier this season to give DC a chance. Schumacher is undoubtely a great driver but not the greatest.

He would go up in my estimation if Barrichello was allowed to race him and not have to wave Michael past and if he admitted that he cheated Hill out of a World Championship!
Steve Robinson, England

I just don't see Shumi dethroned in the near future, not until another Senna emerges in the scene. One simple equation: Michael+Ferrari = Unbeatable
Shahed, USA

Can I just say how glad I am that the Minardi team have got two points this year already. Good luck guys and keep up the good work.
Richard Bayley, England

I too tip Michael Schumacher to win the 2002 championship. DC has lost his edge altogether - a shame really as I think Michael would welcome a real challenge! Michael has survived the worst press ever and has come out unscathed and well above the rest.

To the person who said "The only thing that can stop Schumacher is a brick wall" - NO, IT CANT! He's been there, done it and survived - he also has the scars to prove it! Nothing can stop Michael Schumacher - nothing!
Yvette, Liverpool

The likes of DC and Montoya are unlikely to dethrone him in the foreseeable future

Nick, England

I think the significant thing about Melbourne was that many teams have sorted their reliability problems. Last season, teams like Minardi, Arrows, and even Williams struggled to finish races. That really spoiled the championship.

Ferrari won't be as strong as everyone thinks this year. On Sunday, they were using a car which is pretty much fully developed to perfection, but that also means that it cannot progress much further. I think DC is vastly underrated and keeps getting better - he would have won on Sunday if it hadn't been for his awful luck.
Matt E, UK

In terms of what he does, before, during and after a race, Schumacher is certainly the benchmark. But he is also the benchmark in terms of what he doesn't do.

Unlike other drivers he doesn't waste energy telling the press about how good he is and how this will be 'his year'. Instead he puts all his efforts into becoming an even better driver - just look at qualifying yesterday when he took to the track in the wet just to gain information and experience. This is why he is so nearly unbeatable and why the likes of DC and Montoya are unlikely to dethrone him in the foreseeable future.
Nick, England

I think Ralf Schumacher should be punished in an "exemplar" way. It wasn't the first time he put his and other's lives in danger and if nobody does anything just because he's Michael's baby brother it won't have an end! Because he knows no limits he took seven cars out of race, for Christ's sake!
Selene Cruz, Brazil

Schumacher is just too hot to be cooled down by the likes of Montoya or DC

Ronnie Mrza, India

Oh what a bore this year is going to be. The talented but arrogant German will of course dominate the processions. I'm not even going to bother tuning in. As to Schumacher being the best ever racing driver - NUTS. He is certainly the best of his generation, but no one can compare any driver outside of their generation - to try to do so is stupid.
Michael Peel, Netherlands

I'm beginning to think that Schumacher's tactical genius and outright skill would win him races even if he went round in a horse and cart.

And why wasn't Barichello penalised for violently changing his line three times between the grid and the first corner? The rules only allow one defensive change of line. I know that I'm in the minority, but Barichello's few seconds of driving blatantly infringed the rules and was dangerous - as the resulting events all too clearly showed.
Chris B, England

Schumacher is just too hot to be cooled down by the likes of Montoya or DC.
Ronnie Mrza, India

Michael Schumacher is in a class of his own and is without dought the best driver of his generation if not ever. This however is not that good for the sport as the races will sadly become another boring procession behind him.
Phil, Belgium (British)

Schumi combines the best of Prost and Senna

Henri, USA

I fail to understand as to why people are not ready to accept the truth that Schumi is a cut above the rest, when it comes to talent. Montoya is over-hyped by the anti-Schumi brigade in the media and DC is most definitely past his prime. McLaren never gave him his due when Mika was around and that has certainly affected him.

Montoya is a reckless driver and a couple of daring moves in a year will count for nothing if the same are not backed by consistently winning performances. As for others, Ralf is inconsistent and should learn to come out of his big brother's shadow. Barrichello is over ambitious and has to face the truth that he shall always remain the bridesmaid to Schumi. So march on Schumi, the world is with you.
Anil Dikshit, India

Schumi combines the best of Prost and Senna and hence is in a league of his own.
Henri, USA

Montoya's flashes of brilliance may make him exciting to watch, but consistency and clinical perfection in driving make Schumi the king of F1.
Arun, India

Lord help the rest of the grid though is the new Ferrari is good as everyone thinks it is!
Craig Miller, UK

Montoya is the only man who can challenge Schumacher

Richard, UK

Schumi is the best in the world and will be in 2002. Coulthard and Montoya have no hope, Schumi all the way.
David, England

It is all down to the cars and how the pit-stops go. Williams showed it in the early 90's when they had an unbeatable car. It isn't just the driver. We shall have to see how the cars run but I think it will be close this year between Schumacher, DC and Montoya.
Matt, UK

Only one thing can stop Schumacher this year. A brick wall.
Jim, England

If Williams are able to improve their car then Montoya is the only man who can challenge Schumacher. Given his performances last year, it is surely only a matter of time before he becomes the new master.
Richard, UK

The Williams pair look good for this season

Dave Morgan, UK

Michael Schumacher is the best, even using a year old car. Barrichello will be the closest to Michael. I wonder how the press can glorify Montoya from one win, I have seen him drive Champ cars, he is nothing special. Any driver who has nothing to loose can try to make a pass on Michael. Let him try it if there is a championship on the line and make it, than you can say something. Have a great viewing season covered with Ferrari Red.
Frank, Canada

Schumacher is so talented that even with last year's car, he will win it at a canter. Montoya's only hope is that his car is reliable and the Ferrari isn't, which is highly unlikely. Coulthard is no match for Schumacher, while Ralf Schumacher is talented but unpredictable. As for the rest, well, they're just making up the grid. Michael Schumacher to have it wrapped up by August (again).
Noel Gallagher, Rep. of Ireland

If anyone deserves the driver's world championship this season then it has to be Michael Schumacher. Not only is he the greatest ever driver but also a vital part of the popularity of F1. As a Schumacher fan since 1993, it has been nothing short of absolute ecstasy watching the thrilling races he has competed in, whether he wins or not.
Edward B-H, England

I hope no-one can stop him, but the Williams pair look good for this season. If they can get their car right early in the season it could be a close run thing and we won't see the new Ferrari for a few races which could have an impact.

If Ferrari are on the pace from the beginning then Schuey should have no problems. If the others aren't near them then Schumacher will walk it. Also nice to see Coulthard where he should be, behind the rest! Roll on a fifth title!
Dave Morgan, UK

Schumi will win it again, no doubt about it, but Montoya will be his closest challenger. With the two drivers they have though, Williams will win the constructors as Barrichello and Raikonnen will both fail to shine this season.
Dan Coomber, England

Schumi is the best and the bravest driver on the circuit and will be world champion again in 2002/3

Malcolm, England

Will Schumi win? Well it depends if any of the other drivers can challenge him! Throughout Schumi's reign there has never been a world-class driver to challenge him, unlike Prost v Senna etc.

He is too consistent to be beaten by the likes of Montoya who is a loose cannon, but nevertheless a superb driver (the closest to Senna we've seen). My man to watch for the season has to be Kimi though, providing the McLaren offers him some speed to challenge.
Tom Abel, UK

I tip Schumi to do it again this year. The challenge to the title will be very close with the ever-emerging threat of Williams' duo, who happen to have grown in confidence and results. Will be an exciting year with the entry of Toyota.
Kuria, Kenya

Schumi is the best and the bravest driver on the circuit and will be world champion again in 2002/3.
Malcolm, England

Friday practices are notoriously unreliable indicators of form. This is Coulthard's year. Montoya will rattle Schumacher off his perch and DC will pick up the pieces.
Shades, UK