Schumacher snubbed in magazine’s top 50 drivers list

Michael Schumacher does not feature in an authoritative magazine’s ranking of the top 50 racing drivers of 2010.

The editor of the British print magazine Autosport, often described as the ’bible’ for motor sport fans, said the seven time world champion missed the cut because he "wasn’t very good" on his return to formula one this year.

Drivers for all major motor racing series around the world are eligible for the top 50.

"If there had been just one race where you thought Schumacher was exceptional that may well have been enough to get him into the top 50," said editor Andrew van de Burgt. "But I can’t think of that one performance.

"Coupled with that, his comeback was easily the most hyped and eagerly anticipated I can remember. The expectations were so great and the results so disappointing."

The editor dismissed Schumacher’s argument that this year’s Bridgestone tyres did not suit his driving style.

"The tyres are the same for everyone and a driver who has won 91 grands prix and seven world championships has got to adapt," he insisted.

Schumacher’s Mercedes teammate Nico Rosberg, who is 16 years younger than Schumacher and has never won a race, was ranked 12th in the 2010 Autosport ’Best Of’ driver ranking.

"Rosberg more than had the measure of Schumacher," said van de Burgt. "And what we have seen in the past suggests Rosberg is a very good driver but maybe not a great one.

"So to be so comprehensively beaten by him didn’t really show Schumacher in a great light."

He admitted that the 41-year-old German showed "a few little hints" of promise at the end of the season, but for the top 50 it was "close but no cigar".