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{{short description|German racing driver (born 1969)}} | |||
{{pp-vandalism|expiry=29 January 2014|small=yes}} | |||
{{about|the retired German racing driver|his son who is also a racing driver|Mick Schumacher|the Luxembourgian athlete|Mike Schumacher}} | |||
{{Infobox F1 driver | |||
{{good article}} | |||
| name = Michael Schumacher | |||
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2024}} | |||
| image = Michael Schumacher-I'm the man (cropped).jpg | |||
{{Infobox person | |||
| caption = Michael Schumacher in {{f1|2005}} | |||
| name = Michael Schumacher | |||
| nationality = {{flagicon|GER}} ] | |||
| image = Michael Schumacher (Ferrari) - GP d'Italia 1998.jpg | |||
| Years = {{F1|1991}}–{{F1|2006}}, {{F1|2010}}–{{F1|2012}} | |||
| caption = Schumacher at the ] | |||
| Team(s) = ], ], ], ] | |||
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1969|1|3|df=y}} | | birth_date = {{birth date and age|1969|1|3|df=y}} | ||
| birth_place = ], ] | | birth_place = ], ], ] | ||
| spouse = {{marriage|]|1995}} | |||
| 2012 Team = ] | |||
| children = 2, including ] | |||
| 2012 Car number = 7 | |||
| |
| relatives = {{plainlist| | ||
* ] (brother) | |||
| Championships = 7 ({{F1|1994}}, {{F1|1995}}, {{F1|2000}}, {{F1|2001}}, {{F1|2002}}, {{F1|2003}}, {{F1|2004}}) | |||
* ] (nephew) | |||
| Wins = {{F1stat|MSC|wins}} | |||
| Podiums = {{F1stat|MSC|podiums}} | |||
| Points = {{F1stat|MSC|careerpoints}} | |||
| Poles = {{F1stat|MSC|poles}} | |||
| Fastest laps = {{F1stat|MSC|fastestlaps}} | |||
| First race = ] | |||
| First win = ] | |||
| Last win = ] | |||
| Last race = ] | |||
}} | |||
{{Infobox Le Mans driver | |||
| Years = {{24hLM|1991}} | |||
| Teams = Team Sauber Mercedes | |||
| Best Finish = 5th in C2 (1991) | |||
| Class Wins = 0 | |||
}} | }} | ||
| awards = ] | |||
'''Michael Schumacher''' ({{IPA-de|ˈmɪçaʔɛl ˈʃuːmaxɐ|-|De-Michael-Schumacher.ogg}}; born 3 January 1969) is a retired ] ]. Schumacher is a seven-time ] (F1) ] and is widely regarded as one of the greatest F1 drivers of all time.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/motorsport/formula_one/3168114.stm|title=Who is the greatest ever?|publisher=BBC Sport |first=Andrew|last=Benson|date=12 October 2003|accessdate=30 July 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=The final five could all have been No. 1, but only Foyt gets the prize |url=http://sports.espn.go.com/rpm/racing/columns/story?columnist=blount_terry&id=3407489 |publisher=] |date=23 May 2008 |accessdate=18 July 2011}}</ref><ref name="SchuAS2">{{cite web|title=Formula 1's Greatest Drivers: 2. MICHAEL SCHUMACHER|url=http://f1greatestdrivers.autosport.com/?driver=2|work=]|publisher=]|date=10 December 2009|accessdate=10 December 2009}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/motor-racing/the-ten-best-formula-one-drivers-1920034.html|first=Simon|last=Rice|title=The ten best Formula One drivers|date=12 March 2010|accessdate=30 July 2011|work=The Independent |location=UK|publisher=Independent Print Limited}}</ref> He holds many of Formula One's ], including most championships, race victories, fastest laps, pole positions and most races won in a single season – 13 in ]. In ], he became the only driver in Formula One history to finish in the top three in every race of a season and then also broke the record for most consecutive podium finishes. | |||
| signature = Michael Schumacher Signature.svg | |||
According to the official Formula One website, he is "statistically the greatest driver the sport has ever seen".<ref name="most successful">{{cite news |title=Michael Schumacher – the end of an era |publisher=The Official Formula 1 Website |date=10 September 2006 |url=http://www.formula1.com/news/features/2006/9/4932.html |accessdate=24 October 2006}}</ref> | |||
| signature_alt = Michael Schumacher signature | |||
| module = | |||
{{Infobox F1 driver|embed=yes | |||
| Nationality = {{flagicon|GER}} ] | |||
| Years = {{F1|1991}}–{{F1|2006}}, {{F1|2010}}–{{F1|2012}} | |||
| Team(s) = ], ], ], ] | |||
| engines = ], ], ], ] | |||
| Races = 308 (306 starts) | |||
| Championships = 7 ({{F1|1994}}, {{F1|1995}}, {{F1|2000}}, {{F1 |2001}}, {{F1|2002}}, {{F1|2003}}, {{F1|2004}}) | |||
| Wins = 91 | |||
| Podiums = 155 | |||
| Points = 1566 | |||
| Poles = 68<!--Please do not change this to 69. Because pole refers to the position in which you start, not the position you qualify. The 2012 Monaco Grand Prix does not contribute to this total.--> | |||
| Fastest laps = 77 | |||
| First race = {{F1GP||1991 Belgian}} | |||
| First win = {{F1GP||1992 Belgian}} | |||
| Last win = {{F1GP||2006 Chinese}} | |||
| Last race = {{F1GP||2012 Brazilian}} | |||
| module2 = | |||
{{Infobox Le Mans driver|embed=yes | |||
| Years = {{24hLM|1991}} | |||
| Teams = ] | |||
| Best Finish = 5th <small>({{24hLM|1991}})</small> | |||
| Class Wins = 0 | |||
}}}}}} | |||
{{Michael Schumacher series}} | |||
After beginning with ], Schumacher won the German drivers' championships in ] and ] before joining ] in the ]. After one Mercedes-funded race for the ] Formula One team, Schumacher signed as a driver for the ] Formula One team in 1991. After winning consecutive championships with Benetton in 1994/5, Schumacher moved to Ferrari in 1996 and won another five consecutive drivers' titles with them from 2000 to 2004. Schumacher retired from Formula One driving in 2006 staying with Ferrari as an advisor.<ref name="retirement">{{cite news |title=It's official: Schumi to retire |publisher=ITV |date=11 September 2006 |url=http://www.itv-f1.com/News_Article.aspx?PO_ID=37307 |accessdate=24 October 2006}}</ref> Schumacher agreed to return for Ferrari part-way through 2009, as cover for the badly injured ], but was prevented by a neck injury. Schumacher returned to Formula One on a permanent basis from 2010 with the ] team before retiring for a second time at the conclusion of the 2012 season.<ref name=SchuRetire>{{cite news|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/formula1/19826983|title=Michael Schumacher to retire from Formula 1 at end of season|date=4 October 2012|publisher=BBC Sport|accessdate=4 January 2014}}</ref> | |||
'''Michael Schumacher''' ({{IPA|de|ˈmɪçaːʔeːl ˈʃuːmaxɐ|De-Michael-Schumacher.ogg}}; born 3 January 1969) is a German former ], who competed in ] from {{F1|1991}} to {{F1|2006}} and from {{F1|2010}} to {{F1|2012}}. Schumacher won a record-setting seven ], a record which was tied by ] in 2020. At the time of his retirement, Schumacher held the ] for most ] (91), ] (68), and ] (155), while he maintains the record for most ] (77), among ]. | |||
Born in ] to a ] family, Schumacher started his career in ] aged four. He won his first karting title two years later in a kart built from discarded parts. After having enjoyed success in karting—such as winning the ] ] in 1987—and in several single-seater series, Schumacher made a one-off Formula One appearance with ] at the {{F1GP||1991 Belgian}}. He was signed by ] for the rest of the {{F1|1991}} season, winning his first and second drivers' titles consecutively in {{F1|1994}} and {{F1|1995}} with the team. Schumacher moved to the struggling ] team in {{F1|1996}}. During his first few years with the team, Schumacher lost out on the title in the final race of the season in {{F1|1997}} and {{F1|1998}}, and suffered a broken leg from a brake failure in {{F1|1999}}. He and Ferrari won five consecutive titles from {{F1|2000}} to {{F1|2004}}, including unprecedented sixth and seventh titles, while breaking several records. After finishing third in {{F1|2005}} and second in {{F1|2006}}, Schumacher retired from the sport, although he later made a brief return with ] from {{F1|2010}} to {{F1|2012}}. | |||
His career was not without controversy, including being twice involved in collisions in the final race of a season that determined the outcome of the world championship, with ] in ] in ], and with ] in ] in ].<ref>{{cite news |last=Benson |first=Andrew |title=Schumacher's chequered history |publisher=BBC Sport |date=28 May 2006 |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/motorsport/formula_one/5024532.stm |accessdate=8 November 2006}}</ref> Off the track Schumacher is an ambassador for ] and a spokesman for driver safety. He has been involved in numerous humanitarian efforts throughout his life and donated tens of millions of dollars to charity.<ref name="donated50mil">{{cite news | |||
| last = Duff | |||
| first = Alex | |||
| title = Schumacher, Seven-Time Champion, to Quit Formula One (Update1) | |||
|publisher=Bloomberg | |||
| date = 10 September 2006 | |||
| url = http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601100&sid=azdH01IQrFLs&refer=germany | |||
| accessdate =18 January 2007 }}</ref> Schumacher and his younger brother, ], are the only brothers to win races in Formula One, and they were the first brothers to finish 1st and 2nd in the same race, a feat they repeated in four subsequent races. | |||
Schumacher was noted for pushing his car to the very limit for sustained periods during races, a pioneering fitness regimen, and ability to galvanise teams around him. He and his younger brother ] are the only siblings to win races in Formula One and the first siblings to finish first and second in the same race, a feat they repeated in four subsequent races. Schumacher was twice involved in collisions in the final race of a season that decided the title: first with ] at the {{F1GP||1994 Australian}}, and with ] at the {{F1GP||1997 European}}. | |||
Schumacher suffered a serious head injury whilst skiing in the French Alps in December 2013. He was airlifted to a hospital and placed in a ], having suffered a traumatic brain injury. As of March 2014, Schumacher remains in a coma and in a critical but stable condition. | |||
Appointed ] in 2002, Schumacher has been involved in humanitarian projects and has donated tens of millions of dollars to charity. | |||
== Early years == | |||
] car from 1990]] | |||
Schumacher was born in ], ],<ref name="schumacher hof">{{cite web |title=Hall of Fame – World Champions: Michael Schumacher |publisher=The Official Formula 1 Website |year=2006 |url=http://www.formula1.com/teams_and_drivers/hall_of_fame/7/ |accessdate =5 October 2006}}</ref> to Rolf Schumacher, a ], and his wife Elisabeth. When Schumacher was four, his father modified his ] by adding a small motorcycle engine. When Schumacher crashed it into a lamp post in ], his parents took him to the ] track at Kerpen-Horrem, where he became the youngest member of the karting club. His father soon built him a kart from discarded parts and at the age of six Schumacher won his first club championship. To support his son's racing, Rolf Schumacher took on a second job renting and repairing karts, while his wife worked at the track's canteen. Nevertheless, when Michael needed a new engine costing 800 ], his parents were unable to afford it; he was able to continue racing with support from local businessmen.<ref>{{cite book | |||
| last = Collings | |||
| first = Timothy | |||
| title = Team Schumacher | |||
| publisher=Highdown | |||
|year=2005 | |||
| pages = 35–37 | |||
| isbn = 1-905156-03-0 }}</ref> | |||
In December 2013, Schumacher suffered a severe brain injury in a skiing accident. He was placed in a ] until June 2014. He left the hospital in ] for further rehabilitation at the ], before being relocated to his home to receive medical treatment and rehabilitation privately in September 2014. | |||
Regulations in Germany require a driver to be at least 14 years old to obtain a kart license. To get around this, Schumacher obtained a license in ] at the age of 12.<ref name="early years">{{cite web | |||
| title = The Beginning | |||
| publisher=mschumacher.com | |||
|year=2006 | |||
| url = http://www.mschumacher.com/history.html | |||
| accessdate =23 April 2007 }}</ref> | |||
==Early life and career== | |||
In 1983, he obtained his German license, a year after he won the German Junior Kart Championship. From 1984 on, Schumacher won many German and European kart championships. He joined Eurokart dealer Adolf Neubert in 1985 and by 1987 he was the German and European kart champion, then he quit school and began working as a mechanic. In 1988 he made his first step into single-seat car racing by participating in the German ] and ] series, winning the latter.<ref name="early results">{{cite book | |||
Michael Schumacher was born in the West German town of ], ], on 3 January 1969, to working-class parents Rolf—a ] who later ran the local ] track—and Elisabeth Schumacher (1948–2003), who operated the track's canteen.<ref name="Donaldson 2016">{{Cite web|last=Donaldson|first=Gerald|year=2016|title=Hall of Fame – World Champions: Michael Schumacher|url=https://www.formula1.com/en/championship/drivers/hall-of-fame/Michael_Schumacher.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171006112041/https://www.formula1.com/en/championship/drivers/hall-of-fame/Michael_Schumacher.html|archive-date=6 October 2017|access-date=28 May 2018|publisher=Formula One}}</ref> | |||
| last = Domenjoz | |||
| first = Luc | |||
| title = Michael Schumacher : Rise of a genius | |||
| publisher=Parragon | |||
|year=2002 | |||
| pages = 10–12, 170–171 | |||
| isbn = 0-7525-9228-9 }}</ref> | |||
===Karting=== | |||
In 1989, Schumacher signed with ]'s WTS ] team. Funded by Weber, he competed in the German Formula 3 series, winning the title in 1990. He also won the ]. At the end of 1990, along with his Formula 3 rivals ] and ], he joined the ] junior racing programme in the ]. This was unusual for a young driver: most of Schumacher's contemporaries would compete in ] on the way to Formula One. However, Weber advised Schumacher that being exposed to professional press conferences and driving powerful cars in long distance races would help his career.<ref name="early years" /> In the ], Schumacher won the season finale at the ] in a ]–], and finished fifth in the drivers' championship despite only driving in 3 of the 9 races. He continued with the team in the ], winning again at the final race of the season at ] in Japan with a ]–], leading to a ninth place finish in the drivers championship. He also competed at ] during that season, finishing 5th in a car shared with ] and Fritz Kreutzpointner. In 1991, he competed in one race in the ], finishing second.<!--Commented out ref to DTM, as it does not appear in the ref I've used: ", and the ] in the early 1990s."--><ref name="early results" /> | |||
When Schumacher was four, his father modified his ] by adding a small ]. After he crashed it into a lamp post in ], his parents took him to the karting track at Kerpen-Horrem, where he became the youngest member of the karting club. His father built him a kart from discarded parts; at the age of six, Schumacher won his first club championship. To support his racing, Schumacher's father took on a second job renting and repairing karts, while his mother worked at the track's canteen. Nevertheless, when Schumacher needed a new engine costing 800 ], his parents were unable to afford it; he was able to continue racing with support from local businessmen.<ref>{{Cite book|last=Collings|first=Timothy|title=Team Schumacher|publisher=Highdown|year=2005|isbn=978-1-905156-03-0|pages=35–37|url=https://archive.org/details/teamschumacherma0000coll/page/34/mode/2up|url-access=registration}}</ref> | |||
Regulations in Germany require a driver to be at least 14 years old to obtain a kart license. To get around this, Schumacher obtained a license in ] at the age of 12.<ref name="The Beginning 2006">{{Cite web|year=2006|title=The Beginning|url=http://www.mschumacher.com/history.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070416160810/http://www.mschumacher.com/history.html|archive-date=16 April 2007|access-date=23 April 2007|website=MSchumacher.com}}</ref> In 1983, he obtained his German license, a year after he won the German Junior Kart Championship. Schumacher joined Eurokart dealer Adolf Neubert in 1985, and by 1987 was the German and European kart champion, then he quit school and began working as a mechanic.<ref name="Domenjoz 2002">{{Cite book|last=Domenjoz|first=Luc|title=Michael Schumacher: Rise of a genius|publisher=Parragon|year=2002|isbn=978-0-7525-9228-2|pages=10–12, 170–171}}</ref> | |||
== Formula One career == | |||
<!-- ]: this belongs somewhere else --> | |||
Schumacher was noted throughout his career for his ability to produce fast laps at crucial moments in a race, to push his car to the very limit for sustained periods.<ref name="autoracing"/> Motor sport author Christopher Hilton observed in 2003 that "A measure of a driver's capabilities is his performance in wet races, because the most delicate car control and sensitivity are needed", and noted that like other great drivers, Schumacher's record in wet conditions shows very few mistakes: up to the end of the 2003 season, Schumacher won 17 of the 30 races in wet conditions he contested.<ref>{{cite book | |||
| last = Hilton | |||
| first = Christopher | |||
| title = Michael Schumacher : The greatest of all | |||
| publisher=Haynes | |||
|year=2003 | |||
| pages = 131–132 | |||
| url = | |||
| isbn = 1-84425-044-X }} | |||
Hilton has defined a race in wet conditions as "all races where it rained – even if that was a shower."</ref><!-- | |||
===Lower formulae and sportscar racing=== | |||
--> Some of Schumacher's best performances occurred in such conditions, earning him the nicknames "''Regenkönig''" (rain king)<ref>{{cite web | |||
In 1988, he made his first step into ] by participating in the German ] and ] series, winning the latter.<ref name="Domenjoz 2002" /> In 1989, Schumacher signed with ]'s WTS ] team. Funded by Weber, he competed in the ], winning the ].<ref name="The Beginning 2006"/> He also won the ] under controversial circumstances. He placed second behind ] in the first heat, three seconds behind. At the start of the second heat, he overtook Häkkinen, who only had to finish within three seconds of Schumacher to clinch the overall win. In the closing laps, Schumacher made a mistake, allowing Häkkinen to attempt to overtake. Schumacher changed his line immediately before Häkkinen did the same as the latter moved to overtake, and Häkkinen crashed into the back of Schumacher's car.<ref>{{Cite AV media|date=12 November 2019|title=Schumacher vs Hakkinen {{!}} 1990 Macau Formula 3 Race|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vCv7Lej1VLo&ab_channel=DukeVideo|access-date=30 August 2021|via=YouTube|archive-date=12 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210512084743/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vCv7Lej1VLo&ab_channel=DukeVideo}}</ref> While Häkkinen's race was ended, Schumacher drove to victory without a rear wing.<ref>{{Cite web|last1=Kopu|first1=Ville|last2=Nottmeier|first2=Jan|date=24 October 2006|title=Schumacher 500: Has the King Lost His Crown?|url=http://atlasf1.autosport.com/98/ger/schum.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151007021024/http://atlasf1.autosport.com/98/ger/schum.html|archive-date=7 October 2015|access-date=27 February 2020|website=Autosport}}</ref> Schumacher gave the ] from winning the race to his family as they had debts.<ref name="Goren 2001">{{Cite web|last=Goren|first=Biranit|date=17 October 2001|title=The View from the Top: Exclusive Interview with Michael Schumacher|url=http://www.atlasf1.com/2001/jpn/goren.html|access-date=17 July 2023|website=Atlas F1|archive-date=17 July 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230717111419/http://www.atlasf1.com/2001/jpn/goren.html|url-status=live}}</ref> | |||
| last = Hardcastle | |||
| first = Jonathon | |||
| title = Michael Schumacher | |||
| url = http://www.artwoo.com/article/michael-schumacher | |||
| accessdate =12 July 2007 }}</ref><!-- | |||
] car from 1990]] | |||
--> or "''Regenmeister''" (rain master),<ref name="autoracing">{{cite web | |||
During 1990, along with his Formula Three rivals ] and ], Schumacher joined the ] junior racing programme in the ]. This was unusual for a young driver, as most of Schumacher's contemporaries competed in ] on the way to ]. Weber advised Schumacher that being exposed to professional press conferences and driving powerful cars in long-distance races would help his career.<ref name="The Beginning 2006"/> In the ] season, Schumacher won the season finale at the ] in a ]–], and finished fifth in the Drivers' Championship despite only driving in three of the nine races. He continued with the team in the ] season, winning again at the final race of the season at ] in Japan with a Sauber–], leading to a ninth-place finish in the Drivers' Championship. He also competed at the ], finishing fifth in a car shared with Wendlinger and ]. He further competed in one race in the ], finishing second.<ref name="Domenjoz 2002"/> | |||
| title = Michael Schumacher – Master of the F1 Circuit | |||
| publisher=Auto Racing | |||
| url = http://www.autoracing.com/formula-1/drivers/michael-schumacher/ | |||
| accessdate =12 July 2007 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news | |||
| title = Schumacher races to victory | |||
|publisher=BBC Sport | |||
| date = 18 March 2001 | |||
| url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/motorsport/formula_one/1227766.stm | |||
| accessdate =24 October 2006 }}</ref><!-- | |||
During the ], Schumacher was involved in an incident with ]. While trying to set his flying lap in qualifying, Schumacher encountered Warwick's ] on a slow lap resulting in lost time for Schumacher. As retaliation for Warwick being in his way, Schumacher swerved his Sauber into Warwick's car, hitting the Jaguar's nose and front wheel. Enraged by Schumacher's attitude, Warwick drove to the pits and chased Schumacher on foot. He eventually caught up with Schumacher, and it took intervention from several mechanics and Schumacher's teammate ] to prevent Warwick physically assaulting Schumacher.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Watkins|first=Gary|date=February 2005|title=Schumacher at Sauber|url=http://www.autosport.com/journal/article.php/id/347/|website=Autosport|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130806191149/http://www.autosport.com/journal/article.php/id/347/|archive-date=6 August 2013|access-date=17 December 2012}}</ref> | |||
--> even in the non-German-language media. He is known as "the Red Baron", because of his red Ferrari and in reference to the German ], the famous ] of World War I. Schumacher's nicknames include "Schumi",<ref>{{cite news | |||
| title = Alonso ahead of Schumi | |||
| publisher=News24 | |||
| date = 21 October 2006 | |||
| url = http://www.news24.com/News24/Sport/More_Sport/0,9294,2-9-32_2018131,00.html | |||
| accessdate =22 October 2006 | |||
| archivedate =30 September 2007 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20070930205306/http://www.news24.com/News24/Sport/More_Sport/0,9294,2-9-32_2018131,00.html }}</ref> | |||
"Schuey"<ref>{{cite news | |||
| first = David | |||
| last = Tremayne | |||
| title = Schuey exit promises many twists and turns | |||
|work=The Independent |location=UK | date = 22 October 2006 | |||
| url = http://sport.independent.co.uk/motor_racing/article1919061.ece | |||
| accessdate =22 October 2006 | |||
}}</ref> | |||
and "Schu".<ref>{{cite news | |||
| title = Schu brought down to earth | |||
| publisher=ITV | |||
| date = 11 October 2006 | |||
| url = http://www.itv-f1.com/News_Article.aspx?PO_ID=37706&PO=37706 | |||
| accessdate =14 October 2006 }}</ref> | |||
Schumacher is often credited with popularising Formula One in Germany, where it was formerly considered a fringe sport.<ref name="superwheels">{{cite web | author=Sapa |title=The greatest driver of all time! |publisher=SuperWheels |date=11 September 2006 |url=http://www.superwheels.co.za/default.asp?id=4846&des=sportstalk |accessdate=24 October 2006 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20060927153411/http://www.superwheels.co.za/default.asp?id=4846&des=sportstalk <!--Added by H3llBot--> |archivedate=27 September 2006}}</ref> When Schumacher retired in 2006, three of the top ten drivers were German, more than any other nationality and more than have ever been present in Formula One history. Younger German drivers, such as ], felt Schumacher was key in their becoming Formula One drivers.<ref>{{cite news | |||
| first = Jonathan | |||
| last = Noble | |||
| title = Vettel sorry to see 'idol' Schumacher go | |||
| work=Autosport | |||
| date = 25 September 2006 | |||
| url = http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/54667 | |||
| accessdate =31 October 2006 }}</ref> In the latter part of his Formula One career, and as one of the senior drivers, Schumacher was the president of the ].<ref>{{cite news | |||
| title = Schumacher retains GPDA position | |||
|publisher=BBC | |||
| url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/motorsport/formula_one/5066186.stm | |||
| accessdate =30 November 2007 | |||
| date=9 June 2006}}</ref> In a 2006 ] survey, Michael Schumacher was voted the most popular driver of the season among Formula One fans.<ref>{{cite news |title=Schumacher tops F1 supporter poll |publisher=BBC Sport |date=27 September 2006 |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/motorsport/formula_one/5384692.stm |accessdate=25 October 2006}}</ref> | |||
==Formula One career== | |||
=== Debut with Jordan === | |||
===Jordan (1991)=== | |||
]]] | |||
]]] | |||
Schumacher made his Formula One debut with the ]-] team at the ], driving car number 32 as a replacement for the imprisoned ]. Schumacher, still a contracted Mercedes driver, was signed by ] after Mercedes paid Jordan $150,000 for his debut.<ref>{{cite book | |||
Schumacher made his Formula One debut with the Irish ]-] team at the {{F1 GP|1991|Belgian}}, driving car number 32 as a replacement for the imprisoned ].<ref name="Walfisz 2023">{{Cite web|last=Walfisz|first=Jonny|date=13 November 2023|title=Culture Re-View: How Schumacher's first title made him controversial|url=https://www.euronews.com/culture/2023/11/13/culture-re-view-the-controversial-way-schumacher-started-his-winning-f1-legacy|access-date=10 February 2024|website=Euronews|archive-date=7 December 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231207013203/https://www.euronews.com/culture/2023/11/13/culture-re-view-the-controversial-way-schumacher-started-his-winning-f1-legacy|url-status=live}}</ref> Schumacher, still a contracted Mercedes driver, was signed by ] after Mercedes paid Jordan $150,000 for his debut.<ref>{{Cite book|last=Collings|first=Timothy|title=The Piranha Club|publisher=Virgin Books|year=2004|isbn=978-0-7535-0965-4|page=17}}</ref> | |||
| last = Collings | |||
| first = Timothy | |||
| title = The Piranha Club | |||
| publisher=Virgin Books | |||
|year=2004 | |||
| page = 17 | |||
| isbn = 0-7535-0965-2 }}</ref><!-- | |||
The week before the race, Schumacher impressed Jordan designer ] and team manager Trevor Foster during a test drive at the ]. Schumacher's manager Weber assured Jordan that Schumacher knew the challenging ] well, although in fact he had only seen it as a spectator. During the race weekend, teammate ] was meant to show Schumacher the circuit but was held up with contract negotiations. Schumacher then learned the track on his own, by cycling around the track on a ] he brought with him.<ref>{{Cite book|last=Hilton|first=Christopher|title=Michael Schumacher: The whole story|publisher=Haynes|year=2006|isbn=978-1-84425-008-0|pages=62–66|url=https://archive.org/details/michaelschumache0000hilt/page/62/mode/2up|url-access=registration}}</ref> | |||
| last = Hilton | |||
| first = Christopher | |||
| title = Michael Schumacher: The whole story | |||
| publisher=Haynes | |||
|year=2006 | |||
| pages = 62–66 | |||
| isbn = 1-84425-008-3 }}</ref><!-- | |||
In his debut, Schumacher impressed the paddock by ] seventh;<ref name="Gibson 2016">{{Cite news |last=Gibson |first=Sean |date=25 August 2016 |title=25 reasons why Michael Schumacher is the greatest F1 driver of all time |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/formula-1/2016/08/25/25-reasons-why-michael-schumacher-is-the-greatest-f1-driver-of-a/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170703231410/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/formula-1/2016/08/25/25-reasons-why-michael-schumacher-is-the-greatest-f1-driver-of-a/ |archive-date=3 July 2017 |access-date=10 February 2024 |work=The Telegraph |issn=0307-1235}}</ref> he did so in a midfield car, the ], which he drove half a day of testing and at a track he had never raced at.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Chandhok|first=Karun|date=27 August 2021|title=Driving the F1 icon that launched Schumacher's career|url=https://www.autosport.com/f1/news/driving-the-f1-icon-that-launched-schumachers-career/6652547/|access-date=11 February 2024|website=Autosport|archive-date=25 September 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220925050152/https://www.autosport.com/f1/news/driving-the-f1-icon-that-launched-schumachers-career/6652547/|url-status=live}}</ref> This also matched the team's season-best grid position, and Schumacher outqualified veteran de Cesaris. '']'' journalist ] reported that, after qualifying, "clumps of German journalists were talking about 'the best talent since ]{{' "}}.<ref>{{Cite book|last=Hilton|first=Christopher|title=Michael Schumacher: The whole story|publisher=Haynes|year=2006|isbn=978-1-84425-008-0|pages=67–68|url=https://archive.org/details/michaelschumache0000hilt/page/66/mode/2up|url-access=registration}}</ref> Schumacher retired on the first lap of the race with ] problems.<ref>{{Cite web|title=1991 Belgian Grand Prix|url=http://www.formula1.com/results/season/1991/209/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141103035509/http://www.formula1.com/results/season/1991/209/|archive-date=3 November 2014|access-date=24 October 2006 <!--|work=Results Archive-->|publisher=Formula One}}</ref> | |||
--> He impressed the paddock by qualifying seventh in this race. This matched the team's season-best grid position, and out-qualified 11-year veteran de Cesaris. Motorsport journalist Joe Saward reported that after qualifying "clumps of German journalists were talking about 'the best talent since ]{{' "}}.<ref>{{cite book | |||
| last = Hilton | |||
| first = Christopher | |||
| title = Michael Schumacher: The whole story | |||
| publisher=Haynes | |||
|year=2006 | |||
| pages = 67–68 | |||
| isbn = 1-84425-008-3 }}</ref><!-- | |||
===Benetton (1991–1995)=== | |||
--> Schumacher retired on the first lap of the race with ] problems.<ref name="f1-1991 Belgian gp result">{{cite web | |||
Following his Belgian Grand Prix debut, despite an ] between Jordan and Schumacher's Mercedes management that would see the German race for the Irish team for the remainder of the season, Schumacher was engaged by ]-Ford for the next race. Jordan applied for an ] in the British courts to prevent Schumacher driving for Benetton but lost the case as they had not yet signed a final contract.<ref>{{Cite book|last=Collings|first=Timothy|title=The Piranha Club|publisher=Virgin Books|year=2007|isbn=978-1-85227-907-3|chapter=Welcome to the Piranha Club|url=https://archive.org/details/piranhaclubpower0000coll/mode/2up|url-access=registration}}</ref> | |||
| title = 1991 Belgian Grand Prix | |||
| work=Results Archive | |||
| publisher=The Official Formula 1 Website | |||
| url = http://www.formula1.com/results/season/1991/209/ | |||
| accessdate =24 October 2006 }}</ref> | |||
<br /><!-- THESE BREAKS ARE SO THE HEADING DOES NOT GET JAMMED BY THE PRECEDING SECTION'S PHOTO!!! --> | |||
====1991–1993: Maiden points, podiums and wins==== | |||
=== Benetton (1991–1995) === | |||
Schumacher finished the {{F1|1991}} season with four points out of six races. His best finish was fifth in his second race, the {{F1 GP|1991|Italian}}, in which he finished ahead of his teammate and three-time World Champion ].<ref>{{Cite web|title=1991 F1 World Championship {{!}} Motorsport Database|url=https://www.motorsportmagazine.com/database/championships/1991-f1-world-championship/|access-date=9 February 2024|website=Motor Sport|archive-date=20 December 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231220181205/https://www.motorsportmagazine.com/database/championships/1991-f1-world-championship/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Knuston|first=Dan|date=14 September 2006|title=Knutson: Schumacher as hard on teammates as anyone|url=https://www.espn.co.uk/racing/news/story?series=6&id=2587932|access-date=9 February 2024|publisher=ESPN|archive-date=30 December 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221230201931/https://www.espn.co.uk/racing/news/story?series=6&id=2587932|url-status=live}}</ref> He also outqualified Piquet four times out of five in the season run-in, and scored only half a point less than him in the time they were together.<ref name="Gibson 2016"/><!--<ref>{{Cite web|title=1991 Driver Standings: Michael Schumacher|url=https://www.formula1.com/en/results.html/1991/drivers/MICSCH01/michael-schumacher.html|access-date=30 August 2021|publisher=Formula One|archive-date=30 August 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210830141737/https://www.formula1.com/en/results.html/1991/drivers/MICSCH01/michael-schumacher.html}}</ref>--> | |||
] at the ]]] | |||
] in at the {{F1 GP|1992|Monaco}}. In 1992, he achieved the first of his 91 wins.]] | |||
After his debut, and despite Jordan's signed ] with Schumacher's Mercedes management for the remainder of the season, Schumacher was signed by ]-] for the following race. Jordan applied for an injunction in the UK courts to prevent Schumacher driving for Benetton, but lost the case as they had not yet signed a contract.<ref>{{cite book | |||
At the start of the {{F1|1992}} season the Sauber team, planning their Formula One debut with Mercedes backing for the following year, invoked a clause in Schumacher's contract that stated that if Mercedes entered Formula One, Schumacher would drive for them. It was eventually agreed that Schumacher would stay with Benetton; ] stated that " didn't want to drive for us. Why would I have forced him?"<ref>{{Cite book|last=Domenjoz|first=Luc|title=Michael Schumacher: Rise of a genius|publisher=Parragon|year=2006|isbn=978-0-7525-9228-2|page=38|orig-year=2002}}</ref> The year was dominated by the ] of ] and ], featuring powerful ] engines, ], and ] to control the car's ride height.<ref>{{Cite book|title=Autocourse 1992–93|publisher=Hazleton Publishing|year=1992|isbn=978-0-905138-96-1|editor-last=Henry|editor-first=Alan|page=50}}</ref> In the conventional ], Schumacher took his place on the ] for the first time, finishing third in the {{F1 GP|1992|Mexican}}. Through what has been described as a tactical masterstroke,<ref name="Gibson 2016" /> he went on to take his first victory at the {{F1 GP|1992|Belgian}}, in a wet race at the Spa-Francorchamps circuit, which by 2003 he would call "far and away my favourite track".<ref>{{Cite book|last=Kehm|first=Sabine|title=Michael Schumacher: Driving Force|publisher=Random House|year=2003|isbn=978-0-09-189435-1|page=14|url=https://archive.org/details/michaelschumache0000schu/page/n17/mode/2up|url-access=registration}}</ref> That also marked as the last ] to win a Grand Prix while sporting a H-pattern ].<ref>{{Cite web|last=Aggarwal|first=Pranav|date=3 January 2018|title=Remarkable Moments from Michael Schumacher's career|url=https://www.essentiallysports.com/most-remarkable-michael-schumacher-career/|access-date=11 February 2024|website=EssentiallySports|archive-date=25 October 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211025104755/https://www.essentiallysports.com/most-remarkable-michael-schumacher-career/|url-status=live}}</ref> | |||
| last = Collings | |||
| first = Timothy | |||
| title = The Piranha Club | |||
| publisher=Virgin Books | |||
| year = 2007 | |||
| chapter = Welcome to the Piranha Club | |||
| isbn = 1-85227-907-9 }}</ref><!-- | |||
From the ] to the ], Schumacher was not beaten by his teammate when both cars finished. 1992 was also the first of many times that Schumacher beat his teammate through a full season, and ] was fired as a result. Benetton team boss ] later regretted this decision, saying that he had underestimated the ability of both his drivers.<ref>{{Cite web|date=15 August 2021|title=1990s F1 Drivers Ranked|url=https://f1-analysis.com/2021/08/15/1990s-supergrid/|access-date=10 February 2024|website=F1 Analysis|archive-date=5 December 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231205075740/https://f1-analysis.com/2021/08/15/1990s-supergrid/|url-status=live}}</ref> Schumacher finished third in the Drivers' Championship in 1992 with 53 points, three points behind runner-up Patrese and three in front of the Brazilian ].<ref>{{Cite web|title=1992 F1 World Championship {{!}} Motorsport Database|url=https://www.motorsportmagazine.com/database/championships/1992-f1-world-championship/|access-date=9 February 2024|website=Motor Sport|archive-date=15 February 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240215111833/https://www.motorsportmagazine.com/database/championships/1992-f1-world-championship/|url-status=live}}</ref><!--<ref>{{Cite web|title=1992 Driver Standings|url=https://www.formula1.com/en/results.html/1992/drivers.html|access-date=30 August 2021|publisher=Formula One|archive-date=22 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210922151924/https://www.formula1.com/en/results.html/1992/drivers.html}}</ref>--> According to ], a close friend of Senna, the Brazilian considered Schumacher "the next big threat, way ahead of all the other drivers around at the time".<ref name="Howell 2003">{{Cite web |last=Howell |first=Norman |date=2 March 2003 |title=So Michael, where did it all go wrong? |url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2003/mar/02/features.sportmonthly2 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230717111417/https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2003/mar/02/features.sportmonthly2 |archive-date=17 July 2023 |access-date=17 July 2023 |website=The Guardian}}</ref> | |||
--> Schumacher finished the {{F1|1991}} season with four points out of six races. His best finish was fifth in his second race, the {{F1 GP|1991|Italian}}, in which he finished ahead of his team-mate and three-time World Champion ]. | |||
The ] of ] and ] dominated the {{F1|1993}} season as well. Benetton introduced their own active suspension and ] early in the season, last of the frontrunning teams to do so.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Grand Prix Results: Monaco GP, 1993 <!--|work=Grand Prix Encyclopedia-->|website=GrandPrix.com|url=http://www.grandprix.com/gpe/rr538.html|access-date=6 November 2006|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061109030251/http://www.grandprix.com/gpe/rr538.html|archive-date=9 November 2006|postscript=. Benetton first raced traction control at the ], having introduced active suspension at the ] (Domenjoz (2002) p. 40). Williams had first raced an active system in 1987 and used it throughout 1992 (Autocourse (1992) p. 50), while McLaren and Ferrari both introduced active cars in the final races of the 1992 season (Autocourse (1992) pp. 42, 80).}}</ref> Schumacher won one race, the {{F1 GP|1993|Portuguese}} where he beat Prost,<ref name="Beer 2020">{{Cite web|last=Beer|first=Matt|date=11 October 2020|title=Schumacher and Hamilton's best, worst, oddest and wettest wins|url=https://www.the-race.com/formula-1/schumacher-and-hamiltons-best-worst-oddest-and-wettest-wins/|access-date=9 February 2024|website=The Race|archive-date=8 December 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231208163435/https://www.the-race.com/formula-1/schumacher-and-hamiltons-best-worst-oddest-and-wettest-wins/|url-status=live}}</ref> and had nine podium finishes; he retired in seven of the other 16 races. He finished the season in fourth, with 52 points,<ref>{{Cite web|title=1993 F1 World Championship {{!}} Motorsport Database|url=https://www.motorsportmagazine.com/database/championships/1993-f1-world-championship/|access-date=9 February 2024|website=Motor Sport|archive-date=15 February 2023|archive-url=https://archive.today/20230215092216/https://www.motorsportmagazine.com/database/championships/1993-f1-world-championship/|url-status=live}}</ref><!--<ref>{{Cite web|title=1993 Driver Standings|url=https://www.formula1.com/en/results.html/1993/drivers.html|access-date=30 August 2021|publisher=Formula One|archive-date=30 August 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210830141735/https://www.formula1.com/en/results.html/1993/drivers.html}}</ref>--> beating Patrese as teammate, so much so that Briatore and his team thought that Patrese was washed up and that they had no problem with their car.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Taylor|first=Simon|date=7 July 2014|title=Lunch with... Riccardo Patrese|url=https://www.motorsportmagazine.com/archive/article/may-2010/84/riccardo-patrese/|access-date=10 February 2024|website=Motor Sport|archive-date=10 February 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240210035819/https://www.motorsportmagazine.com/archive/article/may-2010/84/riccardo-patrese/|url-status=live}}</ref> | |||
At the start of the {{F1|1992}} season the ] team, planning their Formula One debut with Mercedes backing for the following year, invoked a clause in Schumacher's contract which stated that if Mercedes entered Formula One, Schumacher would drive for them. It was eventually agreed that Schumacher would stay with Benetton, ] said that " didn't want to drive for us. Why would I have forced him?".<ref>{{cite book | |||
| last = Domenjoz | |||
| first = Luc | |||
| title = Michael Schumacher : Rise of a genius | |||
| origyear = 2002 | |||
| publisher=Parragon | |||
| page = 38 | |||
| isbn = 0-7525-9228-9 | |||
| year = 2006 }}</ref><!-- | |||
====1994–1995: Back-to-back World Championships==== | |||
--> The year was dominated by the Williams of ] and ], featuring powerful Renault engines, ] and ] to control the car's ride height.<ref>{{cite book | |||
] to his first World Championship in 1994.]] | |||
| editor-last = Henry | |||
Schumacher won his first ] in {{F1|1994}}. Driving the ], which has been called the worst car to have won a Formula One World Championship and was difficult to drive,<ref>{{Cite magazine|title='The ugly duckling', the story of Benetton's B195|magazine=Autosport|year=2002}}</ref> so much so that Schumacher had three different teammates (], ], and ]) due to crashes, Schumacher won the first four races and finished the season with eight wins.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Velasco|first=Paul|date=3 February 2020|title=Benetton B194: The car that launched the Michael Schumacher Legend|url=https://www.paddock-legends.com/en/news/benetton-b194-the-car-that-launched-the-michael-schumacher-legend-2020-02-03/b-77/|access-date=10 February 2024|website=Paddock Legends}}</ref> He won six of the first seven races, including the {{F1 GP|1994|Brazilian}} in which he lapped the entire field,<ref name="Foster 2024"/> and was leading the {{F1 GP|1994|Spanish}}, before a gearbox failure left him stuck in fifth gear for most of the race.<ref name="Gibson 2016"/> Schumacher made two ]s without stalling and finished the race in second place. Benetton boss Flavio Briatore stated that Schumacher's drive was one of the best he had ever seen.<ref>{{Cite web|date=30 April 2003|title=A return to racing – Spanish Grand Prix 1994|url=http://www.formula1.com/news/features/2003/4/288.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080517003958/http://www.formula1.com/news/features/2003/4/288.html|archive-date=17 May 2008|access-date=26 May 2008|publisher=Formula One}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=27 October 2020|title=Nine lost F1 wins that stopped Schumacher reaching 100|url=https://the-race.com/formula-1/nine-lost-f1-wins-that-stopped-schumacher-reaching-100/|access-date=17 July 2023|website=The Race|archive-date=17 July 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230717124456/https://the-race.com/formula-1/nine-lost-f1-wins-that-stopped-schumacher-reaching-100/|url-status=live}}</ref> | |||
| editor-first = Alan | |||
| title = Autocourse 1992 – 93 | |||
| publisher=Hazleton Publishing | |||
|year=1992 | |||
| page = 50 | |||
| isbn =0-905138-96-1 }}</ref><!-- | |||
The 1994 season was marred by the ], which was witnessed by Schumacher who was directly behind Senna, and that of ] during the {{F1 GP|1994|San Marino}}; there were also ] involving several teams, most particularly Schumacher's Benetton, having allegedly broken the sport's technical regulations.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Saward|first=Joe|author-link=Joe Saward|date=11 August 1994|title=Globetrotter: Rocking the boat|url=http://www.grandprix.com/gt/gt00044.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080929033558/http://www.grandprix.com/gt/gt00044.html|archive-date=29 September 2008|access-date=28 August 2008|website=GrandPrix.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|last=Domenjoz|first=Luc|title=Michael Schumacher: The Rise of a Genius|publisher=]|year=2006|isbn=978-0-7525-9228-2|pages=44–47|orig-year=2002}}</ref> Following the San Marino Grand Prix, the Benetton, ], and ] teams were investigated on suspicion of breaking the ]-imposed ban on electronic aids. Benetton and McLaren initially refused to hand over their ] for investigation. When they did so, the FIA discovered hidden functionality in both teams' software but no evidence that it had been used in a race. Both teams were fined $100,000 for their initial refusal to cooperate. The McLaren software, which was a gearbox program that allowed automatic shifts, was deemed legal. By contrast, the Benetton software was deemed to be a form of launch control that would have allowed Schumacher to make perfect starts, which was explicitly outlawed by the regulations; Benetton and ], a Formula One ] for over thirty years who worked at Benetton until 1994, stated that traction control was legally achieved through ].<!--https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/how-rotational-inertia-led-traction-control-willem-toet/ See also https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/f1-broken-rules-fire-willem-toet/--> There was no evidence to suggest the software was used.<ref>{{Cite book|last=Williams|first=Richard|title=The Death of Ayrton Senna|publisher=Bloomsbury|year=1999|isbn=978-0-7475-4495-1|pages=177–179}}</ref> | |||
--> In the "conventional" Benetton B192 Schumacher took his place on the ] for the first time, finishing third in the {{F1 GP|1992|Mexican}}. He went on to take his first victory at the {{F1 GP|1992|Belgian}}, in a wet race at the ] circuit, which by 2003 he would call "far and away my favourite track".<ref>{{cite book | last = Kehm | first = Sabine | title =''Michael Schumacher. Driving Force'' | publisher=Random House |year=2003 | page = 14 | isbn = 0-09-189435-2 }}</ref> He finished third in the Drivers' Championship in 1992 with 53 points, three points behind runner-up Patrese. | |||
At the {{F1 GP|1994|British}}, Schumacher was penalised for overtaking Hill on the ]. He and Benetton then ignored the penalty and the subsequent ], which indicates that the driver must immediately return to the pits, for which he was disqualified and later given a two-race ban. Benetton blamed the incident on a communication error between the stewards and the team.<ref>{{Cite book|last=Hilton|first=Christopher|title=Michael Schumacher: The whole story|publisher=Haynes|year=2006|isbn=978-1-84425-008-0|pages=118–120|url=https://archive.org/details/michaelschumache0000hilt/page/118/mode/2up|url-access=registration}}</ref> Schumacher was also disqualified after winning the {{F1 GP|1994|Belgian}}, after his car was found to have illegal wear on its ], a measure used after the accidents at Imola to limit ] and hence cornering speed.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Grand Prix Results: Belgian GP, 1994 <!--|work=Grand Prix Encyclopedia-->|website=GrandPrix.com|url=http://www.grandprix.com/gpe/rr559.html|access-date=13 May 2006|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060318032619/http://www.grandprix.com/gpe/rr559.html|archive-date=18 March 2006}}</ref> Benetton protested that the skid block had been damaged when Schumacher spun over a kerb; the FIA rejected their appeal because of the pattern of wear and damage visible on the block.<ref>{{Cite book|last=Hilton|first=Christopher|title=Michael Schumacher: The whole story|publisher=Haynes|year=2006|isbn=978-1-84425-008-0|page=142|url=https://archive.org/details/michaelschumache0000hilt/page/142/mode/2up|url-access=registration}}</ref> The two-race ban punishment was seen by many observers as petty and insignificant, and that it was a result of Benetton feud with the FIA, with Schumacher being a victim and the FIA trying to deny him his first World Championship.<ref name="Sports Illustrated 1995">{{Cite web|date=17 July 1995|title=Road Warrior Michael Schumacher Has Made A Splash as the World's Top Race, Despite His Battle with Formula One Leadership|url=https://vault.si.com/vault/1995/07/17/road-warrior-michael-schumacher-has-made-a-splash-as-the-worlds-top-racer-despite-his-battles-with-formula-one-leadership|access-date=10 February 2024|website=Sports Illustrated<!--Vault | SI.com-->|archive-date=20 January 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220120011252/https://vault.si.com/vault/1995/07/17/road-warrior-michael-schumacher-has-made-a-splash-as-the-worlds-top-racer-despite-his-battles-with-formula-one-leadership|url-status=live}}</ref> These incidents helped Damon Hill close the points gap, and Schumacher led by a single point going into the final race at the {{F1 GP|1994|Australian}}. On lap 36, Schumacher hit the guardrail on the outside of the track while leading. Hill attempted to pass but as Schumacher's car returned to the track there was a collision on the corner causing them both to retire.<ref>{{Cite web|title=1994 F1 World Championship {{!}} Motorsport Database|url=https://www.motorsportmagazine.com/database/championships/1994-f1-world-championship/|access-date=9 February 2024|website=Motor Sport|archive-date=13 February 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240213100257/https://www.motorsportmagazine.com/database/championships/1994-f1-world-championship/|url-status=live}}</ref> As a result, Schumacher won the Drivers' Championship,<ref name="Benson 2006">{{Cite news |last=Benson |first=Andrew |date=28 May 2006 |title=Schumacher's chequered history |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/low/motorsport/formula_one/5024532.stm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070831141514/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/low/motorsport/formula_one/5024532.stm |archive-date=31 August 2007 |access-date=15 June 2007 |publisher=BBC Sport}}</ref> the first German to do so—] (the only posthumous Drivers' Champion) was German but raced under the Austrian flag, and whose domination in {{F1|1970}} was later equalled by Schumacher.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Hill|first=Matt|date=15 January 2015|title=The Champion That Never Saw the Final Flag Fall|url=https://bleacherreport.com/articles/573860-the-champion-that-never-saw-the-final-flag-fall|access-date=10 February 2024|website=Bleacher Report|archive-date=5 February 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230205170043/https://bleacherreport.com/articles/573860-the-champion-that-never-saw-the-final-flag-fall|url-status=live}}</ref> The race stewards judged it as a racing accident and took no action against either driver. Although the Drivers' Championship had been decided in a similar manner in 1989 and 1990,<ref name="Walfisz 2023"/> public opinion was divided over the incident,<ref>{{Cite book|last=Henry|first=Alan|url=https://archive.org/details/wheeltowheelgrea0000henr/page/116/mode/2up|title=Wheel to Wheel: Great Duels of Formula One Racing|publisher=Weidenfeld Nicolson Illustrated|year=1998|isbn=978-0-7538-0522-0|page=117|orig-year=1996|url-access=registration}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=18 October 1999|title=Now we are 76...: Murray Walker|website=GrandPrix.com|url=http://www.grandprix.com/ft/ft00341.html|access-date=30 November 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071203081029/http://www.grandprix.com/ft/ft00341.html|archive-date=3 December 2007}}</ref> and Schumacher was vilified in the British media.<ref name="GrandPrix.com 1997">{{Cite news|date=3 November 1997|title=The lost honor of Michael Schumacher|website=GrandPrix.com|url=http://www.grandprix.com/ns/ns01331.html|access-date=24 October 2006|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070206052410/http://www.grandprix.com/ns/ns01331.html|archive-date=6 February 2007}}</ref><ref name="Molinaro 2006">{{Cite news|last=Molinaro|first=John F.|date=12 September 2006|title=Top 10 Michael Schumacher Moments|work=CBC Sports|url=http://www.cbc.ca/sports/indepth/10-schumacher-momments.html|access-date=3 November 2006|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070103093347/http://www.cbc.ca/sports/indepth/10-schumacher-momments.html|archive-date=3 January 2007}}</ref> At the FIA conference after the race, Schumacher dedicated his title to Senna.<ref>{{Cite web|date=13 November 1994|title=Today in History |publisher= Deutsche Welle|url=http://www.todayinhistory.de/index.php?what=thmanu&manu_id=1644&tag=13&monat=11&year=2013&dayisset=1&lang=en|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151117015458/http://www.todayinhistory.de/index.php?what=thmanu&manu_id=1644&tag=13&monat=11&year=2013&dayisset=1&lang=en|archive-date=17 November 2015|access-date=26 November 2015|website=Todayinhistory.de}}</ref> | |||
The Williams of ] and ] also dominated the {{F1|1993}} season. Benetton introduced their own active suspension and traction control early in the season, last of the frontrunning teams to do so.<ref>{{cite web | |||
| url = http://www.grandprix.com/gpe/rr538.html | |||
| title = Grand Prix Results: Monaco GP, 1993 | |||
| work=Grand Prix Encyclopedia | |||
| publisher=GrandPrix.com | |||
| accessdate =6 November 2006 }}. Benetton first raced traction control at the 1993 Monaco Grand Prix, having introduced active suspension at the 1993 European Grand Prix (Domenjoz (2002) p. 40). Williams had first raced an active system in 1987 and used it throughout 1992,(Autocourse (1992) p.50) while McLaren and Ferrari both introduced active cars in the final races of the 1992 season.(Autocourse (1992) pp.42 & 80)</ref><!-- | |||
] | |||
--> Schumacher won one race, the {{F1 GP|1993|Portuguese}} where he beat Prost, and had nine podium finishes, but retired in seven of the other 15 races. He finished the season in fourth, with 52 points. | |||
In {{F1|1995}}, Schumacher successfully defended his title with Benetton, which now had the same Renault engine as ]; according to ''Motor Sport'' magazine, Benetton had the better team, while Williams had the superior car.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Simmons|first=Marcus|date=7 July 2014|title=How the war was won|url=https://www.motorsportmagazine.com/archive/article/december-1995/16/how-the-war-was-won|access-date=30 August 2021|website=Motor Sport|archive-date=30 August 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210830141737/https://www.motorsportmagazine.com/archive/article/december-1995/16/how-the-war-was-won}}</ref> Schumacher accumulated 33 more points than second-placed Hill. With Herbert as teammate, he took Benetton to its first ], breaking the dominance of McLaren and Williams, and became the youngest two-time World Champion in Formula One history.<ref>{{Cite news|title=Throwback: The 1995 Formula One season in photos|work=Fox Sports|url=https://www.foxsports.com/motor/gallery/the-1995-f1-season-images-030515|access-date=22 March 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180322143406/https://www.foxsports.com/motor/gallery/the-1995-f1-season-images-030515|archive-date=22 March 2018}}</ref> The season was marred by several collisions with Hill, in particular an overtaking manoeuvre by Hill took them both out of the {{F1 GP|1995|British}} on lap 45, and again on lap 23 of the {{F1 GP|1995|Italian}}; it also saw one of his career's best ovetakes, with the one over ] giving him the win at the {{F1 GP|1995|European}},<ref name="Foster 2024"/> after he reduced the half a minute gap in the final dozen laps.<ref name="Gibson 2016"/> Schumacher won 9 of the 17 races, including the {{F1 GP|1995|French}},<ref name="Sports Illustrated 1995"/> and finished on the podium 11 times. It was only once that he qualify worse than fourth; at the {{F1 GP|1995|Belgian}}, he qualified 16th but nevertheless went on to win the wet-dry race,<ref>{{Cite web|title=1995 F1 World Championship {{!}} Motorsport Database|url=https://www.motorsportmagazine.com/database/championships/1995-f1-world-championship/|access-date=9 February 2024|website=Motor Sport|archive-date=23 September 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230923184640/https://www.motorsportmagazine.com/database/championships/1995-f1-world-championship/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.skysports.com/f1/news/12433/11995565/belgian-gp-1995-watchalong-michael-schumacher-vs-damon-hill-at-wet-and-dramatic-spa|title=Belgian GP 1995 Watchalong: Michael Schumacher vs Damon Hill at wet Spa|date=27 May 2020|publisher=]|access-date=14 June 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200614084735/https://www.skysports.com/f1/news/12433/11995565/belgian-gp-1995-watchalong-michael-schumacher-vs-damon-hill-at-wet-and-dramatic-spa|archive-date=14 June 2020}}</ref> finishing 16 seconds ahead of Hill,<ref name="Foster 2024"/> with whom he had ferocious wheel-to-wheel racing and involved some crucial strategic calls.<ref name="Gibson 2016"/> His bad qualifying was a result of a crash he had in the final free practice, and by the time his car was rebuilt, it had started to rain; this ended his 56-race streak of outqualifiyng his teammates that started in 1992, after he missed a gear in qualifying in Adelaide in 1991 and was outqualified by Nelson Piquet.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Kabra|first=Akshat|date=14 December 2023|title='He was not outqualified by a teammate for 4 years' – Mind-boggling Michael Schumacher statistic shared by F1 pundit|url=https://www.sportskeeda.com/f1/news-he-outqualified-teammate-4-years-mind-boggling-michael-schumacher-statistic-shared-f1-pundit|access-date=9 February 2024|website=Sportskeeda.com}}</ref> | |||
===Ferrari (1996–2006)=== | |||
==== 1994–1995: World Championship years ==== | |||
In {{F1|1996}}, Schumacher joined Ferrari, a team that had last won the Drivers' Championship in {{F1|1979}} and the Constructors' Championship in {{F1|1983}}, for a salary of $60 million over two years. He left Benetton a year before his contract with them expired; he later cited the team's damaging actions in 1994 as his reason for opting out of his deal.<ref>{{Cite magazine|last=Cooper|first=Steve|date=August 2007|title=McLaren dream team turns into nightmare|magazine=Autosport|volume=189|issue=6|pages=6–8}}</ref> In 1997, Schumacher lured Benetton employees ] (designer) and ] (technical director) to Ferrari.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Hamilton|first=Maurice|date=18 April 2009|title=Brawn has the brains and grace to turn any formula one team into a world-beater|url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2009/apr/18/ross-brawn-formula-one-success|access-date=30 August 2021|website=The Guardian|archive-date=30 August 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210830141928/https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2009/apr/18/ross-brawn-formula-one-success}}</ref> Ferrari had previously come close to the championship in {{F1|1982}} and {{F1|1990}}. The team had suffered a disastrous downturn in the early 1990s, partially as its famous ] was no longer competitive against the smaller, lighter, and more fuel-efficient ]s of its competitors. Various drivers, notably Alain Prost, had given the vehicles disparaging labels, such as "truck", "pig", and "accident waiting to happen".<ref>{{Cite news|last=Baker|first=Andrew|date=20 October 2006|title=Switch the key to Ferrari revival|publisher=Telegraph Sport|location=London|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/core/Content/displayPrintable.jhtml?xml=%2Fsport%2F2006%2F10%2F20%2Fsmbake20.xml&site=2&page=0|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120915114111/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/core/Content/displayPrintable.jhtml?xml=/sport/2006/10/20/smbake20.xml&site=2&page=0|archive-date=15 September 2012}}</ref> Furthermore, the poor performance of the Ferrari pit crews was considered a running joke.<ref name="Sapa 2006">{{Cite web |last=Sapa |date=11 September 2006 |title=The greatest driver of all time! |url=http://www.superwheels.co.za/default.asp?id=4846&des=sportstalk |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060927153411/http://www.superwheels.co.za/default.asp?id=4846&des=sportstalk |archive-date=27 September 2006 |access-date=24 October 2006 |website=SuperWheels}}</ref> At the end of 1995, although the team had improved into a solid competitor, it was still considered inferior to front-running teams like Benetton and Williams.<ref>{{Cite book|title=Autocourse 1996–97|title-link=Autocourse|publisher=Hazleton Publishing|year=1996|isbn=978-1-874557-91-3|editor-last=Henry|editor-first=Alan|editor-link=Alan Henry|pages=46–48}}</ref> Schumacher declared the ] good enough to win a championship,<ref>{{Cite news|last=George|first=Patrick|title=Remember Michael Schumacher's Incredible First Win For Ferrari?|work=Jalopnik|url=https://jalopnik.com/remember-michael-schumachers-incredible-first-win-for-f-1677242856|date=1 March 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180322143452/https://jalopnik.com/remember-michael-schumachers-incredible-first-win-for-f-1677242856|archive-date=22 March 2018}}</ref> although afterwards his teammate ] labelled the F310 "an awful car", a "piece of junk", and "almost undriveable", while designer ] admitted that the car "wasn't very good".<ref>{{Cite web|last=Smit|first=Dylan|date=4 January 2019|title=Schumi's Struggle – 1996 Ferrari F310|url=https://drivetribe.com/p/schumis-struggle-1996-ferrari-f310-HrE1B_M7SyCWjnV3t6AGGA?iid=B7NTTml4Tkiewqz7WG1c_A|access-date=1 September 2021|publisher=DriveTribe|archive-date=1 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210901150402/https://drivetribe.com/p/schumis-struggle-1996-ferrari-f310-HrE1B_M7SyCWjnV3t6AGGA?iid=B7NTTml4Tkiewqz7WG1c_A}}</ref> Irvine also later commented: "The '96 car was a disaster and was nearly undriveable. Only someone of Michael Schumacher's ability − and maybe Senna – could have driven it."<ref name="Gibson 2016"/> | |||
] to his first World Championship in 1994.]] | |||
]]] | |||
During winter testing, Schumacher first drove a Ferrari, their 1995 ], and was two seconds faster than former regulars Jean Alesi and ] had been.<ref name="Benson 2016">{{Cite news|last=Benson|first=Andrew|date=14 May 2016|title=Spanish Grand Prix: Why Michael Schumacher's epic 1996 win matters|publisher=BBC Sport|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/formula1/36277172|access-date=15 May 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160515190033/http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/formula1/36277172|archive-date=15 May 2016}}</ref> Alesi and Berger were allowed to drive Schumacher's ] with which he won the World Championship in 1995, and they could not believe how Schumacher had won with it, calling it "the ugly ducking" for being so ugly to drive and having many crashes.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Allsop|first=Derick|date=10 July 1996|title=Benetton's battle to restore power|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/benetton-s-battle-to-restore-power-1328253.html|access-date=10 February 2024|website=The Independent}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=10 September 2002|title=How driver style and set-up varies: Part Three|url=http://www.formula1.com/news/headlines02/09/s10532.html|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030205101122/http://www.formula1.com/news/headlines02/09/s10532.html|archive-date=5 February 2003|access-date=10 February 2024|publisher=Formula One}}</ref> In a 1999 interview with his 1994 and 1995 World Championship rival Damon Hill, Schumacher recalled: "You remember when I left Benetton, and Alesi and Berger took their first steps in that Benetton? You remember how many crashes they had? ... I mean, that car was really unbelievable. Really difficult to drive. It was so edgy. But it was fast when you just drove it exactly on that edge. Now, though, there have been a lot of aerodynamic improvements to the cars and so the cars I have driven have been a lot more stable. And that applies to most of the cars today."<ref>{{Cite magazine|date=31 October 1999|title=Damon Interview Schumacher<!--The Hill – Schumacher Interview-->|url=http://www.ferrariownersclub.co.uk/happenings/2000/january/120100_ii.html|url-status=dead|magazine=F1 Racing|issue=12 January 2000|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20000617133957/http://www.ferrariownersclub.co.uk/happenings/2000/january/120100_ii.html|archive-date=17 June 2000|access-date=10 February 2024}}</ref> | |||
The {{F1|1994}} season was Schumacher's first ]. The season, however, was marred by the ]s of ] (witnessed by Schumacher, who was directly behind in 2nd position) and ] during the {{F1 GP|1994|San Marino}}, and by ], but most particularly Schumacher's Benetton team, broke the sport's technical regulations.<ref name=genius-ms>{{cite book | title = Michael Schumacher: The Rise of a Genius | first = Luc | last = Domenjoz | isbn = 0-7525-9228-9 | publisher=] | origyear = 2002 | pages = 44–47 | year = 2006}}</ref><ref name=saward>{{cite web | title = Globetrotter: Rocking the boat | url = http://www.grandprix.com/gt/gt00044.html | first = Joe | last = Saward | authorlink = Joe Saward | publisher=GrandPrix.com | date = 11 August 1994 | accessdate =28 August 2008}}</ref> | |||
====1996–1999: World Championship challenges and injury==== | |||
Schumacher won six of the first seven races and was leading the {{F1 GP|1994|Spanish}}, before a gearbox failure left him stuck in fifth gear. Schumacher finished the race in second place.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.formula1.com/news/features/2003/4/288.html|title=A return to racing – Spanish Grand Prix 1994|date=30 April 2003|accessdate=26 May 2008|publisher=The Official Formula One Website}}</ref> Following the San Marino Grand Prix, the Benetton, Ferrari and McLaren teams were investigated on suspicion of breaking the ]-imposed ban on electronic aids. Benetton and McLaren initially refused to hand over their ] for investigation. When they did so, the FIA discovered hidden functionality in both teams' software, but no evidence that it had been used in a race. Both teams were fined $100,000 for their initial refusal to cooperate. However, the McLaren software, which was a gearbox program that allowed automatic shifts, was deemed legal. By contrast, the Benetton software was deemed to be a form of "launch control" that would have allowed Schumacher to make perfect starts, which was explicitly outlawed by the regulations. However, there was no evidence to suggest that this software was actually used.<ref>{{cite book | |||
{{quote box|quote="It was not a race. It was a demonstration of brilliance."|source=] about Schumacher at the ]<ref>{{Cite news|year=1999|title=The Best of the Best|work=Autosport|url=http://atlasf1.autosport.com/99/bra/preview/kalb.html|access-date=5 October 2006|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303174542/http://atlasf1.autosport.com/99/bra/preview/kalb.html|archive-date=3 March 2016}}</ref>|width=23%|align=right}} | |||
| last = Williams | |||
In 1996, Schumacher finished third in the Drivers' Championship and helped Ferrari to second place in the Constructors' Championship ahead of his old team Benetton. During the season, the car had reliability problems; Schumacher did not finish in 7 of the 16 races. At the {{F1 GP|1996|French}}, Schumacher took ] but suffered engine failure on the formation lap.<ref>{{Cite news|title=Grand Prix Results: French GP, 1996|website=GrandPrix.com|url=http://www.grandprix.com/gpe/rr590.html|access-date=18 April 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070519084239/http://www.grandprix.com/gpe/rr590.html|archive-date=19 May 2007}}</ref> He won three races, more than the team's total tally for the period from 1991 to 1995, despite a poor chassis.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Galvin|first=Max|year=1996|title=Atlas Team F1 Review of 1996|url=https://atlasf1.autosport.com/96/post/galvin2.html|access-date=9 February 2024|website=Atlas F1|archive-date=26 March 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230326135823/http://atlasf1.autosport.com/96/post/galvin2.html|url-status=live}}</ref> He took his first win for Ferrari at the {{F1 GP|1996|Spanish}}, where he lapped the entire field up to third place in the wet.<ref name="The Beginning 2006"/> After a bad start, which saw him dropping from third to sixth place,<ref name="Gibson 2016"/> before taking the lead on lap 19, he consistently lapped five seconds faster than the rest of the field in the difficult conditions.<ref name="Benson 2016"/> At the {{F1 GP|1996|Belgian}}, he used well-timed pit stops to fend off Williams' ].<ref>{{Cite web|title=Belgian GP, 1996|url=https://www.grandprix.com/gpe/rr594.html|access-date=9 February 2024|website=GrandPrix.com|archive-date=16 June 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180616030708/http://www.grandprix.com/gpe/rr594.html|url-status=live}}</ref> He also took first place at the {{F1 GP|1996|Italian}} to win in front of the '']'' (Ferrari fans).<ref>{{Cite web|title=1996 F1 World Championship {{!}} Motorsport Database|url=https://www.motorsportmagazine.com/database/championships/1996-f1-world-championship/|access-date=9 February 2024|website=Motor Sport|archive-date=1 January 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240101220504/https://www.motorsportmagazine.com/database/championships/1996-f1-world-championship/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://sportslumo.com/motorsport/1996-italian-gp-when-michael-schumacher-ended-ferraris-drought-at-home-race/|title=1996 Italian GP: When Michael Schumacher ended Ferrari's drought at home race|last=Dias|first=Shayne|date=8 September 2021|website=SportsLumo|access-date=8 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210908192315/https://sportslumo.com/motorsport/1996-italian-gp-when-michael-schumacher-ended-ferraris-drought-at-home-race/|archive-date=8 September 2021}}</ref> | |||
| first = Richard | |||
| title = The Death of Ayrton Senna | |||
| publisher=Bloomsbury | |||
| pages = 177–179 | |||
|year=1999 | |||
| isbn = 0-7475-4495-6 }}</ref> <!-- | |||
] | |||
--> At the {{F1 GP|1994|British}}, Schumacher was penalised for overtaking on the formation lap. He then ignored the penalty and the subsequent ], which indicates that the driver must immediately return to the pits, for which he was disqualified and later given a two-race ban. Benetton blamed the incident on a communication error between the stewards and the team.<ref>{{cite book | |||
Schumacher and Villeneuve competed for the title in {{F1|1997}}, despite never sharing a podium and almost never battling directly on the track,<ref>{{Cite web|last=Roebuck|first=Nigel|date=7 July 2014|title=F1 1997: the same old story?|url=https://www.motorsportmagazine.com/archive/article/december-1997/38/f1-1997-same-old-story/|access-date=8 February 2024|website=Motor Sport|archive-date=8 February 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240208044717/https://www.motorsportmagazine.com/archive/article/december-1997/38/f1-1997-same-old-story/|url-status=live}}</ref> in what has been described as the sport's most dramatic and controversial season finale.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Cooper|first=Adam|date=26 October 2017|title=Untold story: When Schumacher met Villeneuve in the bar after Jerez '97|url=https://www.motorsport.com/f1/news/schumacher-villeneuve-jerez-1997-untold-story-970564/1373031/|access-date=8 February 2024|website=Motorsport.com|archive-date=28 June 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240628022659/https://www.motorsport.com/f1/news/schumacher-villeneuve-jerez-1997-untold-story-970564/1373031/|url-status=live}}</ref> Villeneuve, driving the superior ], led the championship in the early part of the season.<ref>{{Cite web|date=10 October 2003|title=Friday Press Conference|url=http://www.grandprix.com/race/r713fqreport.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070929121002/http://www.grandprix.com/race/r713fqreport.html|archive-date=29 September 2007|access-date=8 November 2006|website=GrandPrix.com}}</ref> Schumacher first win of the season came at the wet {{F1 GP|1997|Monaco}}, in which he took a six-second lead after one lap.<ref name="Gibson 2016"/> By mid-season, despite possibly driving not even the second-fastest car on the grid,<ref name="Williams-Smith 2020">{{Cite web|last=Williams-Smith|first=Jake|date=26 October 2020|title=Michael Schumacher's moment of madness at Jerez 1997|url=https://www.motorsportmagazine.com/articles/single-seaters/f1/michael-schumachers-moment-of-madness-at-jerez-1997/|access-date=8 February 2024|website=Motor Sport|archive-date=8 February 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240208042300/https://www.motorsportmagazine.com/articles/single-seaters/f1/michael-schumachers-moment-of-madness-at-jerez-1997/|url-status=live}}</ref> Schumacher had taken the championship lead, winning five races, and entered the season's finale (the {{F1 GP|1997|European}} at the ]) with a one-point advantage.<ref>{{Cite web|title=1997 F1 World Championship {{!}} Motorsport Database|url=https://www.motorsportmagazine.com/database/championships/1997-f1-world-championship/|access-date=9 February 2024|website=Motor Sport|archive-date=13 February 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240213100255/https://www.motorsportmagazine.com/database/championships/1997-f1-world-championship/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Collantine|first=Keith|date=26 October 2017|title=Villeneuve takes title as Schumacher's attack gets him thrown out|url=https://www.racefans.net/2017/10/26/1997-european-grand-prix/|access-date=6 February 2024|website=RaceFans|archive-date=14 October 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211014233816/https://www.racefans.net/2017/10/26/1997-european-grand-prix/|url-status=live}}</ref> In qualifying, Schumacher set the same fastest lap as Villeneuve and Heinz-Harald Frentzen. He started in second position as Villeneuve set his fastest lap first but was able to jump him at the start.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Weeks|first=Jim|date=27 October 2016|title=Collision and Collusion: The Story of the 1997 Formula 1 Title Decider|url=https://www.vice.com/en/article/z4a3z4/collision-and-collusion-the-story-of-the-1997-formula-1-title-decider|access-date=8 February 2024|website=Vice|archive-date=8 February 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240208044717/https://www.vice.com/en/article/z4a3z4/collision-and-collusion-the-story-of-the-1997-formula-1-title-decider|url-status=live}}</ref> Towards the end of the race, Schumacher's Ferrari developed a coolant leak and loss of performance indicating he might not finish the race.<ref>{{Cite web|date=25 November 2012|title=Michael Schumacher: Seven Time World Champion|url=http://www.emercedesbenz.com/autos/mercedes-benz/motorsports/michael-schumacher-seven-time-world-champion/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130730095618/http://www.emercedesbenz.com/autos/mercedes-benz/motorsports/michael-schumacher-seven-time-world-champion/|archive-date=30 July 2013|access-date=18 January 2014|website=eMercedesBenz}}</ref> As Villeneuve approached to pass his rival on lap 48, Schumacher turned in on him but retired from the race. Villeneuve went on and scored four points to take the championship. Despite public outcry, the race stewards did not initially award any penalty, as they had deemed it a racing incident;<ref>{{Cite magazine|last=Roebuck|first=Nigel|date=3 November 1997|title=Among the elite|url=https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=f6h&AN=9711233497&site=ehost-live|magazine=Autoweek|volume=47|issue=44|pages=52|url-access=subscription|access-date=20 January 2021|via=EBSCO|archive-date=28 June 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240628022704/https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=f6h&AN=9711233497&site=ehost-live|url-status=live}}</ref> two weeks after the race, in an unprecedented move,<ref>{{Cite web|last=Collantine|first=Keith|date=26 October 2017|title=Villeneuve takes title as Schumacher's attack gets him thrown out|url=https://www.racefans.net/2017/10/26/1997-european-grand-prix/|access-date=8 February 2024|website=RaceFans|archive-date=14 October 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211014233816/https://www.racefans.net/2017/10/26/1997-european-grand-prix/|url-status=live}}</ref> Schumacher was disqualified from the entire 1997 Drivers' Championship after an FIA disciplinary hearing found that his "manoeuvre was an instinctive reaction and although deliberate not made with malice or premeditation, it was a serious error."<ref>{{Cite news|date=11 November 1997|title=Schumacher loses championship runner-up crown|publisher=BBC News|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/29895.stm|access-date=5 July 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100420201617/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/29895.stm|archive-date=20 April 2010}}</ref><ref name="FIA 1997">{{Cite news|date=11 November 1997|title=FIA World Motor Sport Council – 11 November 1997|publisher=Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile|url=http://www.fia.com/resources/documents/2064282370__11_11_1997_WMSC.pdf|access-date=29 October 2006|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061102031434/http://www.fia.com/resources/documents/2064282370__11_11_1997_WMSC.pdf|archive-date=2 November 2006}}</ref> Initially feeling wronged, Schumacher accepted the decision and admitted having made a mistake,<ref name="GrandPrix.com 1997"/> upon seeing the footage when he got out of the car and adrenaline had worn off.<ref name="Williams-Smith 2020"/> His actions were widely condemned in British, German, and Italian newspapers.<ref name="GrandPrix.com 1997"/><ref name="Molinaro 2006"/> Another view is that Villeneuve went into the corner too fast; without Schumacher turning into him, he would have overshot the turn and ended up in the gravel.<ref>{{cite book|last=Allen|first=James|url=https://archive.org/details/michaelschumache0000alle|title=Michael Schumacher : Driven to Extremes|publisher=Bantam Books|year=2000|isbn=978-0-553-81214-5|page=26|url-access=registration|via=Internet Archive}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|last1=Domenjoz|first1=Luc|title=Michael Schumacher: Rise of a Genius|publisher=Chronosports|year=2006|isbn=978-2-84707-124-5|edition=5th|page=26}}</ref> In later years, Villeneuve himself admitted that he "would never have made that corner without push", and Schumacher stated in 2009 that if he could have his career over again, he would "do some things differently", citing Jerez 1997 as something that he would have changed in his career.<ref>{{Cite web|date=10 November 2009|title=Schumacher: I would change Jerez '97 if I could... <!--| F1 | Crash-->|url=https://www.crash.net/f1/news/154568/1/schumacher-admits-he-would-change-jerez-97-if-he-could|access-date=8 February 2024|website=Crash.net|archive-date=8 February 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240208044717/https://www.crash.net/f1/news/154568/1/schumacher-admits-he-would-change-jerez-97-if-he-could|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=11 November 2009|title=Schumi: I Regret 1997|url=https://www.eurosport.com/formula-1/schumi-i-regret-1997_sto2119696/story.shtml|access-date=8 February 2024|website=Eurosport|archive-date=28 June 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240628022657/https://www.eurosport.com/formula-1/schumi-i-regret-1997_sto2119696/story.shtml|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Suttil|first=Josh|date=12 December 2021|title=Inside stories from F1's last title-deciding scandal|url=https://www.the-race.com/formula-1/inside-stories-from-f1s-last-title-deciding-scandal/|access-date=8 February 2024|website=The Race|archive-date=28 June 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240628022724/https://www.the-race.com/formula-1/inside-stories-from-f1s-last-title-deciding-scandal/|url-status=live}}</ref> | |||
| last = Hilton | |||
| first = Christopher | |||
| title = Michael Schumacher: The whole story | |||
| publisher=Haynes | |||
|year=2006 | |||
| pages = 118–120 | |||
| isbn = 1-84425-008-3 }}</ref><!-- | |||
] in 1998 at the {{F1 GP|1998|British}}. For the second consecutive year, Schumacher lost out the World Championship at the last race.]] | |||
--> Schumacher was also disqualified after winning the {{F1 GP|1994|Belgian}} after his car was found to have illegal wear on its ], a measure used after the accidents at Imola to limit ] and hence cornering speed.<ref name="f1-1994 Belgian gp result">{{cite web | |||
In {{F1|1998}}, Finnish driver Mika Häkkinen became Schumacher's main title rival. Driving the superior ], Häkkinen won the first two races of the season, gaining a 16-point advantage over Schumacher, who then won the {{F1 GP|1998|Argentine}}. With the Ferrari improving significantly in the second half of the season, Schumacher took six victories and had five other podium finishes.<ref>{{Cite web|title=1998 F1 World Championship {{!}} Motorsport Database|url=https://www.motorsportmagazine.com/database/championships/1998-f1-world-championship/|access-date=9 February 2024|website=Motor Sport|archive-date=13 February 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240213091515/https://www.motorsportmagazine.com/database/championships/1998-f1-world-championship/|url-status=live}}</ref> One of his victories was at the {{F1 GP|1998|Hungarian}}, a track where overtaking is difficult and that favoured McLaren;<ref name="Gibson 2016"/> Schumacher drove 19 consecutive qualifying-like laps to make Ross Brawn's alternative three-stop strategy work and to go from third to first place.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Hughes|first=Mark|date=30 April 2020|title=Hungary 1998: How a classic Schumacher/Brawn gamble snatched victory from McLaren|url=https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/article.hungary-1998-how-a-classic-schumacher-brawn-gamble-snatched-victory-from.6RIv63NqY0wBnDYlrdJCiC.html|access-date=17 July 2023|publisher=Formula One|archive-date=17 July 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230717124454/https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/article.hungary-1998-how-a-classic-schumacher-brawn-gamble-snatched-victory-from.6RIv63NqY0wBnDYlrdJCiC.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Brawn had told him: "Michael, you have 19 laps to pull out 25 seconds. We need 19 qualifying laps from you."<ref name="Foster 2024"/> Schumacher ultimately came nine seconds ahead of ].<ref>{{Cite web|last=Shukla|first=Janmeyjay|date=16 August 2022|title=Michael Schumacher drove 19 qualifying laps to win 9 seconds ahead of David Coulthard|url=https://thesportsrush.com/f1-news-when-michael-schumacher-drove-19-qualifying-laps-to-win-9-seconds-ahead-of-david-coulthard/|access-date=10 February 2024|website=The SportsRush|archive-date=9 October 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221009184234/https://thesportsrush.com/f1-news-when-michael-schumacher-drove-19-qualifying-laps-to-win-9-seconds-ahead-of-david-coulthard/|url-status=live}}</ref> Häkkinen, who started on pole, achieved only a point due to reliability issues.<ref>{{Cite web|date=20 August 1998|title=1998: Schumacher strategy sinks McLaren|url=https://www.autosport.com/f1/news/1998-schumacher-strategy-sinks-mclaren-5053011/5053011/|access-date=6 February 2024|website=Autosport|archive-date=6 February 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240206051350/https://www.autosport.com/f1/news/1998-schumacher-strategy-sinks-mclaren-5053011/5053011/|url-status=live}}</ref> Ferrari took a ] at the {{F1 GP|1998|French}}, the first Ferrari 1–2 finish since 1990,<ref>{{Cite web|date=28 June 1998|title=French Grand Prix Review|url=http://www.atlasf1.com/98/fra/galvin.html|access-date=6 February 2024|website=Atlasf1.com|archive-date=28 June 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240628022749/http://www.atlasf1.com/98/fra/galvin.html|url-status=live}}</ref> and at the {{F1 GP|1998|Italian}},<ref name="Gibson 2016"/> which tied Schumacher with Häkkinen for the lead of the Drivers' Championship with 80 points.<ref>{{Cite web|date=13 September 1998|title=Grand Prix of Italy Review|url=http://www.atlasf1.com/98/ita/burley.html|access-date=6 February 2024|website=Atlasf1.com|archive-date=11 February 2005|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050211062855/http://www.atlasf1.com/98/ita/burley.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Phillips|first=James|date=2 September 2023|title=Remembering Monza '98: A battle of the ages between Schumacher and his fiercest rival|url=https://www.gpfans.com/en/f1-news/1002993/italian-grand-prix-1998-monza-michael-schumacher-mika-hakkinen/|access-date=8 February 2024|website=GPfans.com|archive-date=28 June 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240628022700/https://www.gpfans.com/en/f1-news/1002993/italian-grand-prix-1998-monza-michael-schumacher-mika-hakkinen/|url-status=live}}</ref> | |||
| url = http://www.grandprix.com/gpe/rr559.html | |||
| title = Grand Prix Results: Belgian GP, 1994 | |||
| work=Grand Prix Encyclopedia | |||
| publisher=GrandPrix.com | |||
| accessdate =13 May 2006}}</ref><!-- | |||
There were two controversies during the 1998 season. At the {{F1 GP|1998|British}}, Schumacher was leading on the last lap when he turned into the pit lane, crossed the start-finish line, and stopped to serve his ], which was a result of overtaking the lapped car of ] during a ] period. There was some doubt whether this counted as serving the penalty; because he had crossed the finish line when he came into the pit lane,<ref name="Gibson 2016"/> the win was valid.<ref>{{Cite web|title=British Grand Prix Review|website=Autosport|url=http://atlasf1.autosport.com/98/bri/burley.html|access-date=24 October 2006|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070930211046/http://atlasf1.autosport.com/98/bri/burley.html|archive-date=30 September 2007}}</ref> The FIA rescinded the penalty due to taking 31 minutes, rather than within the 25 minutes limit, and rejected McLaren's protest.<ref name="Foster 2024"/> At the {{F1 GP|1998|Belgian}}, Schumacher was leading the race by 40 seconds in heavy spray but collided with Coulthard's McLaren when the Scot, a lap down, slowed on the racing line in poor visibility to let Schumacher past. His Ferrari lost a wheel but could return to the pits, although he was forced to retire. Schumacher leaped out of his car and headed to McLaren's garage in an infuriated manner and accused Coulthard of "trying to kill" him. Coulthard admitted five years later that the accident had been his mistake.<ref>{{Cite news|date=7 June 2003|title=Crash was my fault, Coulthard admits|work=The Sydney Morning Herald|agency=Reuters|url=http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2003/07/06/1057430084085.html|access-date=28 September 2006|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070623160610/http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2003/07/06/1057430084085.html|archive-date=23 June 2007}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|date=6 July 2003|title=Coulthard issues stark warning|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/motorsport/formula_one/3047680.stm|access-date=10 February 2024|publisher=BBC Sport|archive-date=7 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160307012944/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/motorsport/formula_one/3047680.stm|url-status=live}}</ref> From a possible three-point lead, Schumacher was still seven points behind Häkkinen. Heading into the final race, the {{F1 GP|1998|Japanese}}, Häkkinen held a four-point advantage over Schumacher, who started on pole but stalled and caused the start to be aborted, which meant he had to start from the back of the field. He made a comeback up to third but retired after hitting debris from an accident.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Knutson|first=Dan|date=18 October 2006|title=Knutson: Word to the wise? Schumacher finds ways|url=https://www.espn.com.au/racing/news/story?series=6&id=2630479|access-date=6 February 2024|publisher=ESPN|archive-date=6 February 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240206051339/https://www.espn.com.au/racing/news/story?series=6&id=2630479|url-status=live}}</ref> Häkkinen won the Drivers' Championship by winning the final two races despite Schumacher being the polesitter both times,<ref>{{Cite web|date=27 September 1998|title=Grand Prix of Luxembourg Review|url=http://www.atlasf1.com/98/lux/ryder.html|access-date=6 February 2024|website=Atlasf1.com|archive-date=6 February 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240206051339/http://www.atlasf1.com/98/lux/ryder.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=1 November 1998|title=Grand Prix of Japan Review|url=http://www.atlasf1.com/98/jpn/burley.html|access-date=6 February 2024|website=Atlasf1.com|archive-date=6 February 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240206051340/http://www.atlasf1.com/98/jpn/burley.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Bradley|first=Charles|date=3 March 2022|title=Schumacher's 1998 Japanese GP Ferrari for sale|url=https://www.autosport.com/f1/news/schumachers-1998-japanese-gp-ferrari-for-sale/8670795/|access-date=6 February 2024|website=Autosport|archive-date=6 February 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240206051349/https://www.autosport.com/f1/news/schumachers-1998-japanese-gp-ferrari-for-sale/8670795/|url-status=live}}</ref> continuing Ferrari's longest World Championship drought.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Collantine|first=Keith|date=29 November 2008|title=The championship droughts of Ferrari, McLaren, Williams and Benetton/Renault|url=https://www.racefans.net/2008/11/29/the-championship-droughts-of-ferrari-mclaren-williams-and-benettonrenault/|access-date=6 February 2024|website=RaceFans|archive-date=6 February 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240206051339/https://www.racefans.net/2008/11/29/the-championship-droughts-of-ferrari-mclaren-williams-and-benettonrenault/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Mitchell|first=Scott|date=8 October 2013|title=Breaking Down Ferrari's Biggest Droughts in Formula 1 History|url=https://bleacherreport.com/articles/1802690-breaking-down-ferraris-biggest-droughts-in-formula-1-history|access-date=6 February 2024|website=Bleacher Report|archive-date=6 February 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240206051339/https://bleacherreport.com/articles/1802690-breaking-down-ferraris-biggest-droughts-in-formula-1-history|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=11 August 2022|title=These are Ferrari's longest title droughts in F1 history|url=https://www.gpblog.com/en/news/124642/these-are-ferrari-s-longest-title-droughts-in-f1-history.html|access-date=6 February 2024|website=GPblog.com|archive-date=6 February 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240206051339/https://www.gpblog.com/en/news/124642/these-are-ferrari-s-longest-title-droughts-in-f1-history.html|url-status=live}}</ref> | |||
--> Benetton protested that the skidblock had been damaged when Schumacher spun over a kerb, but the FIA rejected their appeal because of the pattern of wear and damage visible on the block.<ref>{{cite book | |||
| last = Hilton | |||
| first = Christopher | |||
| title = Michael Schumacher: The whole story | |||
| publisher=Haynes | |||
|year=2006 | |||
| page = 142 | |||
| isbn = 1-84425-008-3 }}</ref><!-- | |||
In {{F1|1999}}, Schumacher's efforts helped Ferrari win the Constructors' Championship, the team's first title since 1983. He lost his chance to win the Drivers' Championship at the {{F1 GP|1999|British}} at the high-speed Stowe Corner; his car's rear brake failed, sending him off the track into the barriers and resulting in a broken leg.<ref>{{Cite news|date=12 July 1999|title=Schumacher out of action|website=GrandPrix.com|url=http://www.grandprix.com/ns/ns02071.html|access-date=25 October 2006|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070509111246/http://www.grandprix.com/ns/ns02071.html|archive-date=9 May 2007}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Lupini|first=Michele|year=1999|title=Suzuka Showdown|url=https://atlasf1.autosport.com/99/jpn/preview/lupini.html|access-date=6 February 2024|website=Atlas F1|archive-date=28 June 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240628022729/https://atlasf1.autosport.com/99/jpn/preview/lupini.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Roebuck|first=Nigel|date=20 December 2013|title=The farce of the 1999 title decider|url=https://www.motorsportmagazine.com/articles/single-seaters/f1/farce-1999-title-decider/|access-date=5 February 2024|website=Motor Sport|archive-date=5 February 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240205203136/https://www.motorsportmagazine.com/articles/single-seaters/f1/farce-1999-title-decider/|url-status=live}}</ref> During his 98-day absence, he was replaced by Finnish driver ]. About his return, Schumacher's Eddie Irvine teammate recalled: "It was amazing. I remember me and Mika Salo were testing at Mugello, which is one of the hardest circuits in the world – and he hadn't driven for eight months. He got in the car and within a lap he was a tenth or two tenths slower than I was. How do you do that? And then of course a couple of laps later he's half a second quicker and ] it's just impossible. It's really really annoying, but it was an honour to be able to see his ] and see the things he could do with a car."<ref name="Gibson 2016"/> After missing six races, he made his return at the inaugural {{F1 GP|1999|Malaysian}}, qualifying in pole position with his career's greatest pole margin,<!--https://gpracingstats.com/drivers/michael-schumacher/pole-positions/--> with his time faster than Eddie Irvine by almost a second.<ref name="Gibson 2016"/> He then assumed the role of second driver, helping Irvine to victory and assisting his teammate's bid to win the Drivers' Championship for Ferrari,<ref>{{Cite web|title=Drivers: Michael Schumacher|url=http://www.grandprix.com/gpe/drv-schmic.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061117084139/http://www.grandprix.com/gpe/drv-schmic.html|archive-date=17 November 2006|access-date=30 November 2006|website=GrandPrix.com}}</ref> with Irvine leading the championship by one point.<ref>{{Cite web|title=1999 F1 World Championship {{!}} Motorsport Database|url=https://www.motorsportmagazine.com/database/championships/1999-f1-world-championship/|access-date=9 February 2024|website=Motor Sport|archive-date=5 March 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240305071733/https://www.motorsportmagazine.com/database/championships/1999-f1-world-championship/|url-status=live}}</ref> About Schumacher's role, Irvine stated: "He is not only the best driver in the world, he is also the best number two in the world."<ref>{{Cite web|last=Masefield|first=Fraser|date=2 September 2013|title=Ranking the Top 10 Number 2 Drivers in Formula 1 History|url=https://bleacherreport.com/articles/1758585-ranking-the-top-10-number-2-drivers-in-formula-1-history|access-date=17 July 2023|website=Bleacher Report|archive-date=17 July 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230717111419/https://bleacherreport.com/articles/1758585-ranking-the-top-10-number-2-drivers-in-formula-1-history|url-status=live}}</ref> In the last race of the season, the {{F1 GP|1999|Japanese}}, Häkkinen won his second consecutive title after he beat him off the line. Schumacher later said that Häkkinen was "the best opponent I've had" and the one he respected the most.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Donaldson|first=Gerald|year=2016|title=Hall of Fame – World Champions: Mika Hakkinen|url=https://www.formula1.com/en/championship/drivers/hall-of-fame/Mika_Hakkinen.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180209184447/https://www.formula1.com/en/championship/drivers/hall-of-fame/Mika_Hakkinen.html|archive-date=9 February 2018|access-date=28 May 2018|publisher=Formula One}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Smith|first=Luke|date=8 April 2020|title=The race that unearthed Schumacher's greatest rival|url=https://us.motorsport.com/f1/news/the-race-that-unearthed-schumachers-greatest-rival/4778531/|access-date=10 February 2024|website=Motorsport.com|archive-date=9 April 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200409141248/https://us.motorsport.com/f1/news/the-race-that-unearthed-schumachers-greatest-rival/4778531/|url-status=live}}</ref> | |||
--> These incidents helped Damon Hill close the points gap, and Schumacher led by a single point going into the final race in ]. On lap 36 Schumacher hit the guardrail on the outside of the track while leading. Hill attempted to pass but as Schumacher's car returned to the track there was a collision on the corner causing them both to retire.<ref>{{cite news | |||
| last = Benson | |||
| first = Andrew | |||
| url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/low/motorsport/formula_one/5024532.stm | |||
| title = Schumacher's chequered history | |||
|publisher=BBC Sport | |||
| date =28 May 2006 | |||
| accessdate =15 June 2007}}</ref> As a result Schumacher won a very controversial championship, the first German to do so (] raced under the Austrian flag). | |||
====2000–2004: Five consecutive World Championships==== | |||
In {{F1|1995}} Schumacher successfully defended his title with Benetton. He now had the same Renault engine as Williams. He accumulated 33 more points than second-placed Damon Hill. With team-mate ], he took Benetton to its first ] and became the youngest two-time world champion in Formula One history. | |||
] | |||
In {{F1|2000}}, Schumacher won his third Drivers' Championship, his first with Ferrari, after a year-long battle with Häkkinen. Schumacher won the first three races of the season and five of the first eight. Midway through the year, Schumacher's chances suffered with three consecutive non-finishes, allowing Häkkinen to close the gap in the standings.<ref>{{Cite web|title=2000 F1 World Championship {{!}} Motorsport Database|url=https://www.motorsportmagazine.com/database/championships/2000-f1-world-championship/|access-date=9 February 2024|website=Motor Sport|archive-date=28 June 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240628023342/https://www.motorsportmagazine.com/database/championships/2000-f1-world-championship/|url-status=live}}</ref> At the {{F1 GP|2000|German}} qualifying session, which was largely decided in the opening 10 minutes of semi-dry weather, Schumacher was able to improve his time in the final seconds and qualified second. In the race, he retired after crashing out at the start, as his new teammate ] took his maiden win from 18th.<ref name="Gibson 2016"/> Häkkinen then took another two victories, before Schumacher won at the {{F1 GP|2000|Italian}}, his 41st career win.<ref name="Gibson 2016"/> At the post-race press conference, after equalling the number of wins won by his idol Ayrton Senna, Schumacher broke into tears.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Benson|first=Andrew|date=21 April 2004|title=A death that shocked the world|publisher=BBC Sport|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/motorsport/formula_one/3605579.stm|access-date=21 April 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101124011903/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/motorsport/formula_one/3605579.stm|archive-date=24 November 2010}}</ref> The championship fight came down to the penultimate race of the season, the {{F1 GP|2000|Japanese}}. Starting from pole position, Schumacher lost the lead to Häkkinen at the start.<ref name="Gibson 2016"/> After his second pit stop, Schumacher came out ahead of Häkkinen and went on to win the race and the Drivers' Championship;<ref>{{Cite news|date=30 December 2013|title=Michael Schumacher's best races – Japanese Grand Prix 2000|publisher=BBC Sport|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/formula1/25549884|access-date=22 March 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181020204256/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/formula1/25549884|archive-date=20 October 2018}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Mackley|first=Stefan|date=8 July 2020|title=The day Schumacher ended Ferrari's 21-year wait for F1 glory|url=https://www.autosport.com/f1/news/the-day-schumacher-ended-ferraris-21-year-wait-for-f1-glory-4981356/4981356/|access-date=6 February 2024|website=Autosport|archive-date=6 February 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240206051339/https://www.autosport.com/f1/news/the-day-schumacher-ended-ferraris-21-year-wait-for-f1-glory-4981356/4981356/|url-status=live}}</ref> he later described it as the fight of his life.<ref>{{Cite web|date=26 May 2020|title=Race of my life: Michael Schumacher on the 2000 Japanese GP|url=https://www.autosport.com/f1/news/race-of-my-life-michael-schumacher-on-the-2000-japanese-gp-4982378/4982378/|access-date=6 February 2024|website=Autosport|archive-date=6 February 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240206051355/https://www.autosport.com/f1/news/race-of-my-life-michael-schumacher-on-the-2000-japanese-gp-4982378/4982378/|url-status=live}}</ref> Although Schumacher won more than twice as many Grands Prix as Häkkinen, ] journalist Andrew Benson stated that "the challenge from Mika Hakkinen and McLaren-Mercedes was far stronger than the raw statistics suggest" and that the ]-designed McLaren was "the fastest car in F1 for the third straight year". Benson also hailed Schumacher as "unquestionably the greatest driver of his era".<ref>{{Cite web|last=Benson|first=Andrew|date=22 October 2000|title=Harder than it looked for Schumacher|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/motorsport/984828.stm|access-date=30 August 2021|publisher=BBC Sport|archive-date=30 August 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210830180404/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/motorsport/984828.stm}}</ref> | |||
In {{F1|2001}}, Schumacher took his fourth Drivers' title. Four other drivers won races but none sustained a season-long challenge for the championship.<ref>{{Cite web|title=2001 F1 World Championship {{!}} Motorsport Database|url=https://www.motorsportmagazine.com/database/championships/2001-f1-world-championship/|access-date=9 February 2024|website=Motor Sport|archive-date=13 February 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240213100259/https://www.motorsportmagazine.com/database/championships/2001-f1-world-championship/|url-status=live}}</ref> Schumacher scored a record-tying nine wins and clinched the World Championship with four races yet to run. He finished the championship with 123 points, 58 ahead of runner-up Coulthard. Season highlights included the {{F1 GP|2001|Spanish}}, where he won after Häkkinen retired on the last lap due to his car's engine blowing up leading Schumacher to say he was sorry for him and that they had been "bloody lucky";<ref name="Gibson 2016"/> {{F1 GP|2001|Canadian}}, where Schumacher finished second to his brother ], thus scoring the first-ever 1–2 finish by brothers in Formula One;<ref>{{Cite web|title=Grand Prix du Canada – Statistiques|url=http://www.globetrotter.net/gt/grandprix/en/statistiques.asp|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070927002728/http://www.globetrotter.net/gt/grandprix/en/statistiques.asp|archive-date=27 September 2007|access-date=15 June 2007|publisher=Telus}}</ref> and the {{F1 GP|2001|Belgian}}, in which Schumacher scored his 52nd career win, breaking Alain Prost's record for most career wins that had stood since 1993.<ref>{{Cite news|date=2 September 2001|title=Send your tributes to Schumacher|publisher=BBC Sport|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/low/sports_talk/1520663.stm|access-date=3 February 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20021022201741/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/low/sports_talk/1520663.stm|archive-date=22 October 2002}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Collantine|first=Keith|date=14 January 2020|title=How Schumacher set a record 91 F1 wins – and Hamilton drew within striking distance|url=https://www.racefans.net/2020/01/14/how-schumacher-set-a-record-91-f1-wins-and-hamilton-drew-within-striking-distance/|access-date=9 February 2024|website=RaceFans|archive-date=24 July 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230724210455/https://www.racefans.net/2020/01/14/how-schumacher-set-a-record-91-f1-wins-and-hamilton-drew-within-striking-distance/|url-status=live}}</ref> | |||
The season was marred by several collisions with Hill, in particular an overtaking manoeuvre by Hill took them both out of the {{F1 GP|1995|British}} on lap 45<ref>{{cite web | |||
| title = The official formula 1 website | |||
| url = http://www.formula1.com/results/season/1995/123/ | |||
| accessdate=31 July 2008}}</ref> and again on lap 23 of the ].<ref>{{cite web | |||
| title = The official formula 1 website | |||
| url = http://www.formula1.com/results/season/1995/126/ | |||
| accessdate=31 July 2008}}</ref> Schumacher won nine of the 17 races, and finished on the podium 11 times. Only once did he qualify worse than fourth; at the {{F1 GP|1995|Belgian}}, he qualified 16th, but went on to win the race. | |||
] at the {{F1 GP|2002|French}}. It was at this race that he clinched the {{F1|2002}} Drivers' Championship, setting the record for the fewest races in locking up the title.]] | |||
=== Ferrari (1996–2006) === | |||
In {{F1|2002}}, Schumacher retained his Drivers' Championship. In winning the Drivers' Championship, he equalled the record set by ] of five World Championships. Ferrari won 15 out of 17 races, and Schumacher won the title with six races remaining in the season, which is still the earliest point in the season for a driver to be crowned World Champion.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Molinaro|first=John C.|date=12 September 2006|title=Top 10 Michael Schumacher moments|work=]|publisher=]|url=http://www.cbc.ca/sports/indepth/10-schumacher-momments.html|access-date=6 January 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070103093347/http://www.cbc.ca/sports/indepth/10-schumacher-momments.html|archive-date=3 January 2007}}</ref> Schumacher broke his own record, shared with Nigel Mansell, of nine race wins in a season, by winning 11 times and finishing every race on the podium. He finished with 144 points, a record-breaking 67 points ahead of the runner-up, his teammate Barrichello. This pair finished nine of the 17 races in the first two places.<ref>{{Cite news|date=3 July 2017|title=2002 F1 World Championship {{!}} Motorsport Database|url=https://www.motorsportmagazine.com/database/championships/f1/2002-f1-world-championship|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180322143415/https://www.motorsportmagazine.com/database/championships/f1/2002-f1-world-championship|archive-date=22 March 2018|access-date=9 February 2024|work=Motor Sport}}</ref> | |||
In {{F1|1996}}, Schumacher joined ], a team which had last won the Drivers' Championship in {{F1|1979}} and the Constructors' Championship in {{F1|1983}}, for a salary of $60 million over 2 years. He left Benetton a year before his contract with them expired; he later cited the team's damaging actions in 1994 as his reason for opting out of his deal.<ref>{{cite journal |last=Cooper |first=Steve |date=August 2007 |title=McLaren dream team turns into nightmare |journal=Autosport |volume=189 |issue=6 |pages=6–8 }}</ref> A year later, ex-Benetton employees ] and ], who had been Technical Director at Benetton since 1991,<ref>{{cite web | title = Ross Brawn Profile | publisher=theScuderia.net | url = http://www.thescuderia.net/rossbrawn.shtml | first = Matthew | last = Bewers | accessdate=3 January 2008}}</ref> and who were one of the key members behind Schumacher's title successes with the team in 1994 and 1995, decided to join Schumacher at Ferrari. This increased Schumacher's motivation to build a more experienced and potentially championship-winning team around him. | |||
During the 2002 season, there was some controversy at the {{F1 GP|2002|Austrian}},<ref>{{Cite news|date=12 May 2002|title=Formula One: Ferrari team-mate hands Schumacher controversial victory|work=The Daily Telegraph|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/motorsport/formulaone/3027644/Formula-One-Ferrari-team-mate-hands-Schumacher-controversial-victory.html|access-date=13 February 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190508124120/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/motorsport/formulaone/3027644/Formula-One-Ferrari-team-mate-hands-Schumacher-controversial-victory.html|archive-date=8 May 2019|issn=0307-1235}}</ref> where Barrichello was leading but in the final metres of the race, under ], slowed down to allow Schumacher to win the race.<ref name="BBC Sport 2002">{{Cite news|date=12 May 2002|title=Schumacher steals Austrian win|publisher=BBC Sport|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/motorsport/formula_one/1982612.stm|access-date=24 October 2006|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080515041413/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/motorsport/formula_one/1982612.stm|archive-date=15 May 2008}}</ref> Although the switching of positions did not break any actual sporting or technical regulation,<ref>{{Cite web|date=19 May 2002|title='Nothing Wrong' with Ferrari's Actions, Says Dennis|url=https://www.autosport.com/f1/news/nothing-wrong-with-ferraris-actions-says-dennis-5059889/5059889/|access-date=5 February 2024|website=Autosport|archive-date=5 February 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240205203135/https://www.autosport.com/f1/news/nothing-wrong-with-ferraris-actions-says-dennis-5059889/5059889/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Taylor|first=Simon|date=7 July 2014|title=Modern Times: Schumacher's Spielberg gift|url=https://www.motorsportmagazine.com/archive/article/july-2002/20/modern-times-6/|access-date=5 February 2024|website=Motor Sport|archive-date=28 June 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240628023253/https://www.motorsportmagazine.com/archive/article/july-2002/20/modern-times-6/|url-status=live}}</ref> as Ferrari did the same at the {{F1 GP|2001|Austrian}} the previous year where Schumacher finishe second and Barrichello third,<ref>{{cite news|title=Schumacher ends jinx in controversial finish|url=https://www.dawn.com/news/33649/schumacher-ends-jinx-in-controversial-finish|newspaper=Dawn|location=Pakistan|date=12 May 2002|access-date=16 September 2019|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190916091632/https://www.dawn.com/news/33649/schumacher-ends-jinx-in-controversial-finish|archive-date=16 September 2019}}</ref> it angered fans and it was claimed that the team's actions showed a lack of sportsmanship and respect to the spectators. Many argued that Schumacher did not need to be given wins in only the sixth race of the season, which he would have won anyway, a view also shared by ] and Ross Brawn in retrospect,<ref>{{cite news|last=Mancini|first=Stefano|title=Todt: 'Ferrari tradita dai nervi Sembrava impossibile perdere'|url=https://www.lastampa.it/sport/motori/2010/11/18/news/todt-ferrari-tradita-dai-nervi-br-sembrava-impossibile-perdere-1.36992867|work=La Stampa|language=it|date=18 November 2010|access-date=16 September 2019|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190916182037/https://www.lastampa.it/sport/motori/2010/11/18/news/todt-ferrari-tradita-dai-nervi-br-sembrava-impossibile-perdere-1.36992867|archive-date=16 September 2019}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.gptoday.net/en/news/f1/221987/austria-gp-2002-decision-was-a-mistake-brawn|title=Austria GP 2002 decision was a mistake – Brawn|last=Walsh|first=Fergal|date=6 February 2017|website=GPToday.net|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190918081155/https://www.gptoday.net/en/news/f1/221987/austria-gp-2002-decision-was-a-mistake-brawn|archive-date=18 September 2019|access-date=18 September 2019}}</ref> particularly given that he had already won four of the previous five Grands Prix, and that Barrichello had dominated the race weekend up to that point. At the podium ceremony, Schumacher pushed Barrichello onto the top step,<ref name="BBC Sport 2002"/> and the Ferrari team incurred a $1 million fine for this disturbance.<ref>{{Cite news|date=19 September 2006|title=Record fine for Turks|agency=Reuters|website=Eurosport|url=https://www.eurosport.com/formula-1/record-fine-for-turks_sto967344/story.shtml|access-date=3 June 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171123121603/http://www.eurosport.com/formula-1/record-fine-for-turks_sto967344/story.shtml|archive-date=23 November 2017}}</ref> Schumacher vowed to pay back Barrichello, and later that same year returned the favour in several races to help him finish second in the standings.<ref>{{cite web|date=13 May 2002|title=Schumacher Vows to Pay Back Barrichello|url=https://www.autosport.com/f1/news/schumacher-vows-to-pay-back-barrichello-5059832/5059832/|access-date=8 February 2024|website=Autosport|archive-date=8 February 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240208040006/https://www.autosport.com/f1/news/schumacher-vows-to-pay-back-barrichello-5059832/5059832/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Baldwin|first=Alan|date=26 June 2002|title=Ferrari Fined $1 Million over Austrian GP Incident|url=https://www.autosport.com/f1/news/ferrari-fined-1-million-over-austrian-gp-incident-5060279/5060279/|access-date=5 February 2024|website=Autosport|archive-date=5 February 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240205003326/https://www.autosport.com/f1/news/ferrari-fined-1-million-over-austrian-gp-incident-5060279/5060279/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Hughes|first=Mark|date=16 December 2014|title=Brawn's F1 journey: 'Schumacher and I were in the trenches together'|url=https://www.motorsportmagazine.com/archive/article/may-2014/30/michael-and-i-had-been-trenches-together/|access-date=8 February 2024|website=Motor Sport|archive-date=28 June 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240628023207/https://www.motorsportmagazine.com/archive/article/may-2014/30/michael-and-i-had-been-trenches-together/|url-status=live}}</ref> At the {{F1 GP|2002|United States}}, Schumacher returned the favour,<ref>{{cite web|date=29 September 2002|title=US GP 2002 – Schumacher repays Barrichello favour|url=http://www.crash.net/f1/racereports_others.asp?feature_id=2323&language_id=1&championship_id=1|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030428224909/http://www.crash.net/f1/racereports_others.asp?feature_id=2323&language_id=1&championship_id=1|archive-date=28 April 2003|access-date=10 December 2023|work=Crash}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Cavin|first=Curt|date=30 September 2002|title=Classic payback: Schumacher hands USGP victory to Barrichello|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-indianapolis-star/79126105/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231213082616/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-indianapolis-star/79126105/|archive-date=13 December 2023|access-date=12 December 2023|work=The Indianapolis Star|pages=R1, |via=Newspapers.com {{open access}}}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Gordon|first=Ian|date=30 September 2002|title=Schu hands victory to Barrichello|url=https://www.irishexaminer.com/sport/arid-10089805.html|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231211091033/https://www.irishexaminer.com/sport/arid-10089805.html|archive-date=11 December 2023|access-date=11 December 2023|work=Irish Examiner}}</ref> by giving Barrichello the win by 0.011 seconds,<ref>{{cite news|last=Baldwin|first=Alan|date=29 September 2002|title=We Tried to Finish Equal, Says Schumacher|url=https://www.atlasf1.com/news/2002/sep/report.php/id/8712/.html|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050127082744/http://www.atlasf1.com/news/2002/sep/report.php/id/8712/.html|archive-date=27 January 2005|access-date=11 December 2023|work=Atlas F1|agency=Reuters}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Gray|first=Will|date=30 September 2002|title=Paddock Consensus: Schumacher Made a Mistake|url=https://www.atlasf1.com/news/2002/sep/report.php/id/8724/.html|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050129185709/http://www.atlasf1.com/news/2002/sep/report.php/id/8724/.html|archive-date=29 January 2005|access-date=12 December 2023|work=Atlas F1}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=10 October 2002|title=Barrichello: I was confused too|url=https://www.autosport.com/f1/news/barrichello-i-was-confused-too-5036217/5036217/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210728104132/https://www.autosport.com/f1/news/barrichello-i-was-confused-too-5036217/5036217/|archive-date=28 July 2021|access-date=12 December 2023|website=Autosport}}</ref> the second-closest margin on the finishing line in Formula One history in a failed ] finish.<ref>{{Cite news|date=3 September 2005|orig-date=30 September 2002|title=Schumacher slows, and Barrichello wins|url=https://www.tampabay.com/archive/2002/09/30/schumacher-slows-and-barrichello-wins/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231211091032/https://www.tampabay.com/archive/2002/09/30/schumacher-slows-and-barrichello-wins/|archive-date=11 December 2023|access-date=11 December 2023|work=Tampa Bay Times}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Brudenell|first=Mike|date=30 September 2002|title=U.S. Grand Prix nearly a dead heat|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/detroit-free-press-us-grand-prix-nearl/136802845/|access-date=14 December 2023|work=Detroit Free Press|via=Newspapers.com {{open access}}|archive-date=14 December 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231214163900/https://www.newspapers.com/article/detroit-free-press-us-grand-prix-nearl/136802845/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Cavin|first=Curt|date=1 October 2002|title=Speedway chief OK with finish|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-indianapolis-star-speedway-chief-ok/136688417/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231213082619/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-indianapolis-star-speedway-chief-ok/136688417/|archive-date=13 December 2023|access-date=12 December 2023|work=The Indianapolis Star|page=D1, |via=Newspapers.com {{open access}}}}</ref> In an unplanned finish,<ref>{{cite web|date=30 September 2002|title='Unplanned' Ferrari finish backfires at US GP|url=http://en.espn.co.uk/onthisday/motorsport/story/2502.html|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161103041338/http://en.espn.co.uk/onthisday/motorsport/story/2502.html|archive-date=3 November 2016|access-date=11 December 2023|publisher=ESPN}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|last=Collings|first=Timothy|date=1 October 2002|title=Ferrari's tactics defended by Todt|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-daily-telegraph-ferraris-tactics-de/136739012/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231213082620/https://wikipedialibrary.wmflabs.org/?next_url=/ezproxy/r/ezp.2aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubmV3c3BhcGVycy5jb20vYXJ0aWNsZS90aGUtZGFpbHktdGVsZWdyYXBoLWZlcnJhcmlzLXRhY3RpY3MtZGUvMTM2NzM5MDEyLw--|archive-date=13 December 2023|access-date=13 December 2023|work=The Daily Telegraph|page=S8|via=Newspapers.com {{open access}}}}</ref> Schumacher's explanation varied between it being him "returning the favour" for Austria, or trying to engineer a ]—a feat derided as near-impossible in a sport where timings are taken to within a thousandth of a second.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Legard|first=Jonathan|author-link=Jonathan Legard|date=30 September 2002|title=Ferrari's own goal|publisher=BBC Sport|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/motorsport/formula_one/2287699.stm|access-date=28 February 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040721052832/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/motorsport/formula_one/2287699.stm|archive-date=21 July 2004}}</ref> After the end of the season, the FIA banned "team orders which interfere with the race result";<ref>{{Cite news|last=Wade|first=Stephen|date=28 October 2002|title=Formula One closes door on team orders|work=USA Today|url=https://www.usatoday.com/sports/motor/formula1/2002-10-28-changes_x.htm|access-date=28 October 2006|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080523100138/http://www.usatoday.com/sports/motor/formula1/2002-10-28-changes_x.htm|archive-date=23 May 2008}}</ref><ref>{{Cite press release|title=F1 Commission declaration|date=28 October 2002|publisher=Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile|url=http://www.fia.com/gate?action=retrievePage&locale=en_GB&PageID=331368089&printer=on|access-date=30 October 2006|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070326115324/http://www.fia.com/gate?action=retrievePage&locale=en_GB&PageID=331368089&printer=on|archive-date=26 March 2007}}</ref> the ban was lifted for the 2011 season because the ruling was difficult to enforce.<ref>{{Cite news|date=10 December 2010|title=F1 chiefs drop the ban on team orders in new rules|publisher=BBC Sport|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/motorsport/formula_one/9275796.stm|access-date=27 January 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201107060139/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/motorsport/formula_one/9275796.stm|archive-date=7 November 2020}}</ref> | |||
Ferrari had previously come close to the championship in 1982 and 1990. The team had suffered a disastrous downturn in the early 1990s, partially as its famous V12 engine was no longer competitive against the smaller, lighter and more fuel efficient V10s of its competitors. Various drivers, notably Alain Prost, had given the vehicles labels such as "truck", "pig", and "accident waiting to happen".<ref>{{cite news | title = Switch the key to Ferrari revival | publisher=Telegraph Sport |date=20 October 2006 | url = http://www.telegraph.co.uk/core/Content/displayPrintable.jhtml?xml=/sport/2006/10/20/smbake20.xml&site=2&page=0 |first = Andrew |last = Baker |accessdate =29 October 2006 | location=London}}</ref> The poor performance of the Ferrari pit crews was considered a running joke too.<ref name = "superwheels"/> At the end of 1995, though the team had improved into a solid competitor, it was still considered inferior to front-running teams such as Benetton and Williams.<ref>{{cite book| last =Henry| first =Alan (ed)| authorlink =Alan Henry| title =] 1996–97| publisher=Hazleton Publishing| year =1996| pages =46–48| url =| isbn = 1-874557-91-8 }}</ref> Schumacher declared the ] good enough to win the Championship. | |||
] in 2004, where he won the {{F1 GP|2004|United States}}. 2004 would be the last of his seven Drivers' Championships (a record shared with ] since 2020), five of which were won consecutively from 2000 to 2004.]] | |||
Schumacher, ], ], and ] (hired in 1993), have been credited as turning this once struggling team into the most successful team in Formula One history.<ref>{{cite web | title = Schumacher confirms retirement | publisher=MSN Cars |date=11 September 2006 | url = http://crashnet.cars.msn.co.uk/news_view.asp?cid=1&id=137166 | accessdate =28 September 2006 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | title = Ferrari: Formula 1's Most Successful Team Enters a New Era | publisher=about.com | url = http://formula1.about.com/od/teams/p/Ferrari.htm | accessdate =12 June 2007 }}</ref> Three-time World Champion ] believes the transformation of the Ferrari team was Schumacher's greatest feat.<ref name="stewart">{{cite news | title = Schumacher 'made Ferrari great' |first = Andrew |last = Benson |publisher=BBC Sport |date=18 October 2006 | url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/low/motorsport/formula_one/6061442.stm | accessdate =6 November 2006}}</ref> ] also joined the team, moving from ]. | |||
Schumacher broke Fangio's 46-year record of five Drivers' Championships by winning the drivers' title for the sixth time in {{F1|2003}}, after a closely contested battle with his main rivals, which was also a result of lobbying regarding the Michelin tyres.<ref name="Gibson 2016"/> Before the season started, the FIA introduced new regulations and a new ] to make the championship more open.<ref>{{Cite web|title=2003 Record World Champion|url=https://michael-schumacher.de/en/saison/2003/|access-date=30 August 2021|website=michael-schumacher.de|archive-date=30 August 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210830180404/https://michael-schumacher.de/en/saison/2003/}}</ref> The biggest competition came from the McLaren-Mercedes and Williams-] teams. In the first race, Schumacher was run off track, and he was involved in collisions in the following two.<ref>{{Cite news|date=9 March 2003|title=Coulthard takes Melbourne thriller|publisher=BBC Sport|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/motorsport/formula_one/2832441.stm|access-date=3 November 2006|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040628044916/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/motorsport/formula_one/2832441.stm|archive-date=28 June 2004}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|date=23 March 2003|title=Raikkonen claims maiden win|publisher=BBC Sport|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/motorsport/formula_one/2877461.stm|access-date=3 November 2006|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040615040716/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/motorsport/formula_one/2877461.stm|archive-date=15 June 2004}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|date=6 April 2003|title=Raikkonen wins chaotic race|publisher=BBC Sport|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/motorsport/formula_one/2922651.stm|access-date=3 November 2006|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040426171710/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/motorsport/formula_one/2922651.stm|archive-date=26 April 2004}}</ref> He fell 16 points behind McLaren's ].<ref>{{Cite news|date=23 March 2003|title=Raikkonen leads F1 standings after maiden win|url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2003-03-23/raikkonen-leads-f1-standings-after-maiden-win/1822662|access-date=6 February 2024|publisher=ABC News|location=Australia|archive-date=6 February 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240206051339/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2003-03-23/raikkonen-leads-f1-standings-after-maiden-win/1822662|url-status=live}}</ref> Despite the death of his mother Elisabeth just hours before the race,<ref>{{Cite web|last=Williams|first=Richard|date=21 April 2003|title=Schumacher mourns mother on winner's podium|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2003/apr/21/germany.formulaone|access-date=1 September 2021|website=The Telegraph|archive-date=8 October 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221008150605/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2003/apr/21/germany.formulaone}}</ref> Schumacher won the {{F1 GP|2003|San Marino}} despite losing the first position going into turn one.<ref name="Gibson 2016"/> He also won the next two races and closed within two points of Räikkönen. Aside from Schumacher's victory at the {{F1 GP|2003|Canadian}} and Barrichello's victory at the {{F1 GP|2003|British}}, the mid-season was dominated by Williams drivers Ralf Schumacher and ], who each claimed two victories. After the {{F1 GP|2003|Hungarian}}, Schumacher led Montoya and Räikkönen by only one and two points, respectively. Ahead of the next race, the FIA announced changes to the way tyre widths were to be measured: this forced ], supplier to Williams and McLaren among others, to rapidly redesign their tyres before the {{F1 GP|2003|Italian}}.<ref>{{Cite news|date=9 September 2006|title=FIA stands by tyre rulings|publisher=BBC Sport|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/motorsport/formula_one/3092598.stm|access-date=25 April 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040302044710/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/motorsport/formula_one/3092598.stm|archive-date=2 March 2004}}</ref> Schumacher, running on ] tyres, won the next two races. After Montoya was penalised in the {{F1 GP|2003|United States}}, only Schumacher and Räikkönen remained in contention for the title. At the final round, the {{F1 GP|2003|Japanese}}, Schumacher needed only one point whilst Räikkönen needed to win. By finishing the race in eighth place, Schumacher took one point and assured his sixth Drivers' title, ending the season two points ahead of Räikkönen.<ref>{{Cite news|date=3 July 2017|title=2003 F1 World Championship {{!}} Motorsport Database|url=https://www.motorsportmagazine.com/database/championships/f1/2003-f1-world-championship|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180322143735/https://www.motorsportmagazine.com/database/championships/f1/2003-f1-world-championship|archive-date=22 March 2018|access-date=9 February 2024|work=Motor Sport}}</ref> | |||
In {{F1|2004}}, Schumacher won a record 12 of the first 13 races of the season,<ref>{{Cite web|last=Longman|first=Will|date=6 November 2023|title=10 greatest Formula 1 drivers in history|url=https://motorsporttickets.com/blog/10-greatest-formula-1-drivers-in-history/|access-date=6 February 2024|website=Motorsport Tickets Blog|archive-date=6 January 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240106033353/https://motorsporttickets.com/blog/10-greatest-formula-1-drivers-in-history/|url-status=live}}</ref> including the inaugural {{F1 GP|2004|Bahrain}} and the {{F1 GP|2004|Japanese}},<ref>{{Cite web|title=2004 F1 World Championship {{!}} Motorsport Database|url=https://www.motorsportmagazine.com/database/championships/2004-f1-world-championship/|access-date=9 February 2024|website=Motor Sport|archive-date=2 December 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231202215256/https://www.motorsportmagazine.com/database/championships/2004-f1-world-championship/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Mee|first=Lydia|date=1 March 2023|title=Bahrain Grand Prix: Deep Dive into The History of the F1 Event|url=https://www.si.com/fannation/racing/f1briefings/news/bahrain-grand-prix-deep-dive-into-the-history-of-the-f1-event-lm22|access-date=6 February 2024|website=Sports Illustrated<!--F1 Briefings: Formula 1 News, Rumors, Standings and More-->|archive-date=6 February 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240206051339/https://www.si.com/fannation/racing/f1briefings/news/bahrain-grand-prix-deep-dive-into-the-history-of-the-f1-event-lm22|url-status=live}}</ref> only failing to finish in Monaco after an accident with Montoya during a safety car period.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Henry|first=Alan|date=24 May 2004|title=Schumacher's run ends in farce and fury|url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2004/may/24/formulaone.formulaone20041|access-date=6 February 2024|work=The Guardian|issn=0261-3077|archive-date=28 June 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240628023212/https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2004/may/24/formulaone.formulaone20041|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Baldwin|first=Alan|date=28 May 2004|title=Schumacher Could have Won Monaco, Says Brawn|url=https://www.autosport.com/f1/news/schumacher-could-have-won-monaco-says-brawn-5065968/5065968/|access-date=6 February 2024|website=Autosport|archive-date=6 February 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240206052536/https://www.autosport.com/f1/news/schumacher-could-have-won-monaco-says-brawn-5065968/5065968/|url-status=live}}</ref> In August 2004, Schumacher's win at the {{F1 GP|2004|Hungarian}} contributed to Ferrari's sixth consecutive Constructors' Championship, and he later clinched a seventh Drivers' Championship at the {{F1 GP|2004|Belgian}}.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Elizalde|first=Pablo|date=29 August 2004|title=Atlas F1 Magazine: 2004 Belgian Grand Prix Review|url=http://www.atlasf1.com/2004/bel/elizalde.html|access-date=6 February 2024|website=Atlasf1.com|archive-date=6 February 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240206052536/http://www.atlasf1.com/2004/bel/elizalde.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Phelan|first=Mark|date=13 October 2023|title=2004 Belgian Grand Prix: Schumacher's Seventh Drivers' World Championship|url=https://www.formulaonehistory.com/2004-belgian-grand-prix/|access-date=6 February 2024|website=F1 History|archive-date=6 February 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240206053355/https://www.formulaonehistory.com/2004-belgian-grand-prix/|url-status=live}}</ref> Earlier in July at the {{F1 GP|2004|French}}, Schumacher beat polesitter ] with a four-stop strategy.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Hughes|first=Mark|date=2 April 2020|title=Strategic Masterstrokes: How Ferrari stole victory from Renault with a secret 4-stop plan at France 2004<!--| Formula 1®-->|url=https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/article.france-2004-how-ferrari-stole-victory-from-renault-with-a-secret-4-stop-plan.7yXeHIzXx8e8JEyBC401ET.html|access-date=6 February 2024|publisher=Formula One|archive-date=2 September 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220902055156/https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/article.france-2004-how-ferrari-stole-victory-from-renault-with-a-secret-4-stop-plan.7yXeHIzXx8e8JEyBC401ET.html|url-status=live}}</ref> He finished the season with a record 148 points, 34 points ahead of the runner-up Barrichello, and set a new record of 13 race wins out of a possible 18, surpassing his previous best of 11 wins from the 2002 season.<ref>{{Cite web|year=2006|title=A tribute to Michael Schumacher|url=http://www.f1technical.net/news/3949|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080925233429/http://www.f1technical.net/news/3949|archive-date=25 September 2008|access-date=1 December 2007|publisher=F1technical.net}}</ref> Between 2000 and 2004, Schumacher achieved five Drivers' Championships, 48 wins, and almost all Formula One records.<ref name="Jeffries 2023">{{Cite web|last=Jeffries|first=Tom|date=26 November 2023|title=The 10 best Formula 1 drivers ever: Hamilton, Senna & more|url=https://www.autosport.com/f1/news/whos-the-best-formula-1-driver-schumacher-hamilton-senna-more-4983210/4983210/|access-date=6 February 2024|website=Autosport|archive-date=6 February 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240206212526/https://www.autosport.com/f1/news/whos-the-best-formula-1-driver-schumacher-hamilton-senna-more-4983210/4983210/|url-status=live}}</ref> With his fifth Drivers' Championship in a row, he also broke Fangio's record of consecutive titles that had stood for nearly fifty years.<ref name="Bitannica 2024">{{Cite web|date=1 January 2024|title=Michael Schumacher {{!}} Biography, Wins, Championships, & Facts {{!}} Britannica|url=https://www.britannica.com/biography/Michael-Schumacher|access-date=8 February 2024|website=Encyclopædia Britannica|archive-date=28 June 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240628023208/https://www.britannica.com/biography/Michael-Schumacher|url-status=live}}</ref> | |||
==== 1996–1999 ==== | |||
{{quote box|quote="It was not a race. It was a demonstration of brilliance."|source=] about Schumacher at the ]<ref>{{cite news | |||
| title = The Best of the Best | |||
| work=Autosport | |||
| year=1999 | |||
| url = http://atlasf1.autosport.com/99/bra/preview/kalb.html | |||
| accessdate =5 October 2006}}</ref>|width=23%|align=right}} | |||
Schumacher finished third in the drivers' championship in 1996 and helped Ferrari to second place in the constructors' championship ahead of his old team Benetton. He won three races, more than the team's total tally for the period from 1991 to 1995. During the initial part of the 1996 season, the car had had reliability trouble and Schumacher did not finish 6 of the 16 races. He took his first win for Ferrari at the Spanish Grand Prix, where he lapped the entire field up to third place in the wet.<ref name="early years"/> In the {{F1 GP|1996|French}} Schumacher qualified in ], but suffered engine failure on the race's formation lap.<ref name = "96frenchgp">{{cite news | title = GRAND PRIX RESULTS: FRENCH GP, 1996 | publisher=grandprix.com | url = http://www.grandprix.com/gpe/rr590.html |first = Magny |last = Cours | accessdate =18 April 2007}}</ref> However at ], Schumacher used well-timed pit-stops to fend off Williams' ]. Following that, at ], Schumacher won in front of the ]. Schumacher's ability, combined with the improving reliability of Ferrari, enabled him to end the season putting up a challenge to eventual race and championship winner Damon Hill at the ]. | |||
====2005–2006: Regulation changes and first retirement==== | |||
].]] | |||
] |
] in 2005 during the {{F1 GP|2005|Canadian}}. Due to rule changes, he achieved only one win that year.]] | ||
Rule changes for the {{F1|2005}} season required tyres to last an entire race,<ref>{{Cite web|date=22 October 2004|title=FIA announce rule changes for 2005 and 2006|publisher=Formula One|url=http://www.formula1.com/news/headlines/2004/10/2367.html|access-date=13 April 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081201210318/http://www.formula1.com/news/headlines/2004/10/2367.html|archive-date=1 December 2008}}</ref> tipping the overall advantage to teams using Michelins over teams like Ferrari that relied on Bridgestone tyres.<ref>{{Cite news|title=Michael Schumacher|website=F1complete.com|url=http://www.f1complete.com/content/view/376/273/|access-date=30 November 2007|url-status=usurped|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071012141942/http://f1complete.com/content/view/376/273/|archive-date=12 October 2007}}</ref> The rule changes were partly in an effort to dent Ferrari's dominance and make the series more interesting.<ref name="Sapa 2006"/> The most notable moment of the early season for Schumacher was his battle with ] driver Fernando Alonso at the {{F1 GP|2005|San Marino}}, where he started 13th and finished only 0.2 seconds behind Alonso.<ref>{{Cite news|date=24 April 2005|title=Alonso holds off Schumacher surge|publisher=BBC Sport|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/motorsport/formula_one/4478747.stm|access-date=3 November 2006|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101202065641/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/motorsport/formula_one/4478747.stm|archive-date=2 December 2010}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Cooper|first=Adam|date=24 April 2023|title=The day Alonso gave Schumacher an F1 masterclass|url=https://us.motorsport.com/f1/news/alonso-schumacher-imola-2005-recap/4784073/|access-date=6 February 2024|website=Motorsport.com|archive-date=6 February 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240206051339/https://us.motorsport.com/f1/news/alonso-schumacher-imola-2005-recap/4784073/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Cozens|first=Jack|date=21 May 2023|title=Why Imola's famous Alonso vs Schumacher duel was even possible|url=https://www.the-race.com/formula-1/why-imolas-famous-alonso-vs-schumacher-duel-was-even-possible/|access-date=6 February 2024|website=The Race|archive-date=6 February 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240206051340/https://www.the-race.com/formula-1/why-imolas-famous-alonso-vs-schumacher-duel-was-even-possible/|url-status=live}}</ref> Less than halfway through the season, Schumacher stated: "I don't think I can count myself in this battle any more. It was like trying to fight with a blunted weapon. If your weapons are weak you don't have a chance."<ref>{{Cite news|last=Henry|first=Alan|date=27 July 2005|title=Alonso within touching distance of title|work=The Guardian|location=London|url=http://sport.guardian.co.uk/formulaone/story/0,10069,1535586,00.html|access-date=5 November 2006|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060111174727/http://sport.guardian.co.uk/formulaone/story/0,10069,1535586,00.html|archive-date=11 January 2006}}</ref> Schumacher's sole win in 2005 came at the {{F1 GP|2005|United States}} in a 1–2 finish with Rubens Barrichello.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Maher|first=Thomas|date=18 October 2022|title=F1's most controversial races: The 2005 United States Grand Prix|url=https://www.planetf1.com/features/f1-controversial-races-2005-united-states-grand-prix|access-date=9 February 2024|website=PlanetF1|archive-date=26 February 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240226205412/https://www.planetf1.com/features/f1-controversial-races-2005-united-states-grand-prix|url-status=live}}</ref> Before that race, the Michelin tyres were found to have significant safety issues. When no compromise between the teams and the FIA could be reached, all but the three teams using Bridgestone tyres dropped out of the race after the formation lap, leaving only six drivers on the grid.<ref>{{Cite news|date=19 June 2005|title=Schumacher takes hollow USGP victory|publisher=Crash.net|url=http://www.crash.net/news_view.asp?cid=1&id=113296|access-date=19 June 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080630003918/http://www.crash.net/news_view.asp?cid=1&id=113296|archive-date=30 June 2008}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Collantine|first=Keith|date=19 June 2005|title=Schumacher wins, F1 loses in six-car sham|url=https://www.racefans.net/2005/06/19/united-states-grand-prix-2005-review/|access-date=9 February 2024|website=RaceFans|archive-date=1 December 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221201040706/https://www.racefans.net/2005/06/19/united-states-grand-prix-2005-review/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Cooper|first=Adam|date=19 June 2020|title=The 2005 US GP farce: The full inside story|url=https://us.motorsport.com/f1/news/the-2005-us-gp-farce-the-full-inside-story/4809049/|access-date=9 February 2024|website=Motorsport.com|archive-date=21 February 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240221011311/https://us.motorsport.com/f1/news/the-2005-us-gp-farce-the-full-inside-story/4809049/|url-status=live}}</ref> Schumacher retired in 6 of the 19 races, and finished the season in third with 62 points, fewer than half the points of World Champion Alonso.<ref>{{Cite news|date=3 July 2017|title=2005 F1 World Championship {{!}} Motorsport Database|url=https://www.motorsportmagazine.com/database/championships/f1/2005-f1-world-championship|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180322143530/https://www.motorsportmagazine.com/database/championships/f1/2005-f1-world-championship|archive-date=22 March 2018|access-date=9 February 2024|work=Motor Sport}}</ref> | |||
] for fourth with three laps to go of the {{F1 GP|2006|Brazilian}}, in what was the last race of a competitive 2006 season and his final race for three years, having dropped to 19th early on.]] | |||
Michael Schumacher and ] vied for the title in {{F1|1997}}. Villeneuve, driving the superior ], led the championship in the early part of the season.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.grandprix.com/race/r713fqreport.html| title = Friday Press Conference| accessdate =8 November 2006|date=10 October 2003 | publisher=GrandPrix.com}}</ref> However by mid-season, Schumacher had taken the championship lead, winning five races, and entered the season's ] with a one-point advantage. Towards the end of the race, held at ], Schumacher's Ferrari developed a coolant leak and loss of performance indicating he may not finish the race. As Villeneuve approached to pass his rival, Schumacher attempted to provoke an accident<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/29895.stm|publisher=BBC News |title=Schumacher loses championship runner-up crown|date=11 November 1997|accessdate=5 July 2010}}</ref> but got the short end of the stick, retiring from the race. Villeneuve went on and scored four points to take the championship. Schumacher was punished for unsportsmanlike conduct for the collision and was disqualified from the Drivers' Championship.<ref name="fia97verdict">{{cite news | title = | |||
{{F1|2006}} became the last season of Schumacher's Ferrari career. After three races, Schumacher had just 11 points and was already 17 points behind Alonso.<ref>{{Cite web|date=6 April 2006|title=Alonso: Schumi Won't Go|url=https://www.eurosport.com/formula-1/alonso-schumi-won-t-go_sto871109/story.shtml|access-date=6 February 2024|website=Eurosport|archive-date=28 June 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240628023206/https://www.eurosport.com/formula-1/alonso-schumi-won-t-go_sto871109/story.shtml|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=21 April 2006|title=Ferrari to fight back at Imola|url=https://timesofmalta.com/articles/view/ferrari-to-fight-back-at-imola.56551|access-date=6 February 2024|website=The Times|location=Malta|archive-date=6 February 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240206051339/https://timesofmalta.com/articles/view/ferrari-to-fight-back-at-imola.56551|url-status=live}}</ref> He won the following two races; his pole position at {{F1 GP|2006|San Marino}} was his 66th, breaking Ayrton Senna's 12-year-old record,<ref>{{Cite news|date=22 April 2006|title=Unbeatable Schumi sets new pole record|publisher=GPUpdate.net|url=http://www.gpupdate.net/en/f1-news/115825/unbeatable-schumi-sets-new-pole-record/|access-date=18 April 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160425222223/http://www.gpupdate.net/en/f1-news/115825/unbeatable-schumi-sets-new-pole-record/|archive-date=25 April 2016}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|date=22 April 2006|title=Schumacher sets all-time pole best|url=https://edition.cnn.com/2006/SPORT/04/22/imola.schu/|access-date=8 February 2024|publisher=CNN|archive-date=28 June 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240628023214/https://edition.cnn.com/2006/SPORT/04/22/imola.schu/|url-status=live}}</ref> which was described as perhaps the greatest record that stood in the sport,<ref name="Gibson 2016"/> and was a reversal of the 2005 race.<ref>{{Cite web|last=O'Leary|first=James|date=23 April 2006|title=Schumacher fends off Alonso to Imola win|url=https://www.autosport.com/f1/news/schumacher-fends-off-alonso-to-imola-win-4400855/4400855/|access-date=6 February 2024|website=Autosport|archive-date=6 February 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240206051346/https://www.autosport.com/f1/news/schumacher-fends-off-alonso-to-imola-win-4400855/4400855/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=23 April 2006|title=San Marino 2006: Schumacher's Imola role reversal<!--. | F1 | Crash-->|url=https://www.crash.net/f1/race-report/55415/1/san-marino-2006-schumachers-imola-role-reversal|access-date=6 February 2024|website=Crash.net|archive-date=28 June 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240628023210/https://www.crash.net/f1/race-report/55415/1/san-marino-2006-schumachers-imola-role-reversal|url-status=live}}</ref> Schumacher was stripped of pole position at the {{F1 GP|2006|Monaco}} and started the race at the back of the grid, as he stopped his car and blocked part of the circuit while Alonso was on his qualifying lap;<ref>{{Cite news|date=28 May 2006|title=Schumacher in the dock|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/motorsport/formula_one/5024498.stm|access-date=6 February 2024|publisher=BBC Sport|archive-date=4 April 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230404051038/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/motorsport/formula_one/5024498.stm|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|last=Weaver|first=Paul|date=12 May 2010|title=Michael Schumacher will not revisit Fernando Alonso incident at Monaco|url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2010/may/12/michael-schumacher-monaco-alonso-rascasse|access-date=6 February 2024|work=The Guardian|issn=0261-3077}}</ref> he still managed to work his way up to fifth place on the notoriously cramped Monaco circuit.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Collantine|first=Keith|date=28 May 2006|title=Alonso grabs Monaco win as Schumacher recovers to fifth|url=https://www.racefans.net/2006/05/28/monaco-grand-prix-2006-review/|access-date=6 February 2024|website=RaceFans|archive-date=4 October 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231004010656/https://www.racefans.net/2006/05/28/monaco-grand-prix-2006-review/|url-status=live}}</ref> Before the {{F1 GP|2006|Turkish}}, the fourteenth race of the season, the FIA banned Renault's mass damper, with the superior ] suddenly no longer as competitive.<ref>{{Cite web|title=2006 F1 World Championship {{!}} Motorsport Database|url=https://www.motorsportmagazine.com/database/championships/2006-f1-world-championship/|access-date=9 February 2024|website=Motor Sport|archive-date=4 December 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231204120951/https://www.motorsportmagazine.com/database/championships/2006-f1-world-championship/|url-status=live}}</ref> By the {{F1 GP|2006|Canadian}}, the ninth race of the season, Schumacher was 25 points behind Alonso;<ref>{{Cite news|date=25 June 2006|title=Alonso wins Canadian Grand Prix|url=https://www.cbc.ca/sports/alonso-wins-canadian-grand-prix-1.582945|access-date=6 February 2024|work=CBC Sports|archive-date=6 February 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240206051339/https://www.cbc.ca/sports/alonso-wins-canadian-grand-prix-1.582945|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=1 October 2006|title=Schumacher hails championship 'miracle'|url=https://www.autosport.com/f1/news/schumacher-hails-championship-miracle-4405316/4405316/|access-date=6 February 2024|website=Autosport|archive-date=6 February 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240206051343/https://www.autosport.com/f1/news/schumacher-hails-championship-miracle-4405316/4405316/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=27 June 2006|title=Schumi: 'Never Say Die'|url=https://www.eurosport.com/formula-1/schumi-never-say-die_sto915417/story.shtml|access-date=6 February 2024|website=Eurosport}}</ref> he then won the following three races, including at Hockenheim, to reduce his disadvantage to 11,<ref>{{Cite web|date=30 July 2006|title=Michael Schumacher Wins German Grand Prix<!--– DW – 07/30/2006-->|url=https://www.dw.com/en/michael-schumacher-wins-german-grand-prix/a-2114277|access-date=6 February 2024|publisher=Deutsche Welle|archive-date=22 July 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220722115337/https://www.dw.com/en/michael-schumacher-wins-german-grand-prix/a-2114277|url-status=live}}</ref> and to 10 by Turkey.<ref>{{Cite web|date=23 August 2006|title=Mass Dampers Banned|url=https://www.eurosport.com/formula-1/mass-dampers-banned_sto949809/story.shtml|access-date=9 February 2024|website=Eurosport|archive-date=13 June 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220613212246/https://www.eurosport.com/formula-1/mass-dampers-banned_sto949809/story.shtml|url-status=live}}</ref> Since Canada, Ferrari won six out of seven races, including at ], with Schumacher winning in five of them.<ref>{{Cite web|date=6 October 2006|title=Schumacher close to finishing on a high|url=https://www.smh.com.au/sport/schumacher-close-to-finishing-on-a-high-20061006-gdojhb.html|access-date=6 February 2024|website=The Sydney Morning Herald|archive-date=6 February 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240206051339/https://www.smh.com.au/sport/schumacher-close-to-finishing-on-a-high-20061006-gdojhb.html|url-status=live}}</ref> After further victories at the {{F1 GP|2006|Italian}}, where he announced his retirement at the end of the season, and at the {{F1 GP|2006|Chinese}}, in what would be his 91th and final career win,<ref name="Gibson 2016"/> Schumacher led in the championship standings for the first time during the season.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Zanca|first=Salvatore|date=1 October 2006|title=Alonso has trouble with his front tires|newspaper=The Washington Post|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/10/01/AR2006100100207_2.html|access-date=1 August 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121110173741/http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/10/01/AR2006100100207_2.html|archive-date=10 November 2012}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|last=Spurgeon|first=Brad|date=1 October 2006|title=Formula One: Schumacher wins in China to edge Alonso in rankings<!-- – Sports – International Herald Tribune-->|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2006/10/01/sports/01iht-prix.2992947.html|access-date=6 February 2024|work=The New York Times|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=6 February 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240206051339/https://www.nytimes.com/2006/10/01/sports/01iht-prix.2992947.html|url-status=live}}</ref> After his win in Italy, Ferrari issued a press release stating that Schumacher would retire from racing at the end of the 2006 season but would continue working for the team.<ref>{{Cite press release|title=Michael Schumacher will retire from race driving at the end of the 2006 World Championship.|date=10 September 2006|publisher=Ferrari S.p.A.|url=http://www.ferrariworld.com/events/ms/pdf/monza01_en.pdf|access-date=24 October 2006|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061102031431/http://www.ferrariworld.com/events/ms/pdf/monza01_en.pdf|archive-date=2 November 2006}}</ref> The ''tifosi'' and the Italian press, who did not always take to Schumacher's relatively cold public persona, displayed an affectionate response after he announced his retirement.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Evans|first=Simon|date=11 September 2006|title=Italy shows gratitude to Schumacher|website=Autosport|url=http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/54449|access-date=12 September 2006|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070930183619/http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/54449|archive-date=30 September 2007}}</ref> | |||
FIA World Motor Sport Council – 11 November 1997 | publisher=FIA |date=11 November 1997 | url = http://www.fia.com/resources/documents/2064282370__11_11_1997_WMSC.pdf | accessdate =29 October 2006|format=PDF}}</ref> | |||
] had worked together in sports cars before entering Formula One in 1992.]] | |||
In {{F1|1998}}, Finnish driver ] became Schumacher's main title competition. Häkkinen won the first two races of the season, gaining a 16 point advantage over Schumacher. Schumacher then won in Argentina and, with the Ferrari improving significantly in the second half of the season, Schumacher took six victories and had five other podium finishes. Ferrari took a 1–2 finish at the {{F1 GP|1998|French}}, the first Ferrari 1–2 finish since 1990, and the {{F1 GP|1998|Italian}}, which tied Schumacher with Häkkinen for the lead of the Drivers' Championship with 80 points, but Häkkinen won the Championship by winning the final two races. There were two controversies; at the {{F1 GP|1998|British}} Schumacher was leading on the last lap when he turned into the pit lane, crossed the start finish line and stopped for a ten second stop go penalty. There was some doubt whether this counted as serving the penalty, but, because he had crossed the finish line when he came into the pit lane, the win was valid. At ], Schumacher was leading the race by 40 seconds in heavy spray, but collided with ]'s McLaren when the Scot, a lap down, slowed in very poor visibility to let Schumacher past. After both cars returned to the pits, Schumacher leaped out of his car and headed to McLaren's garage in an infuriated manner and accused Coulthard of trying to kill him.<ref name="spa98"/> | |||
After qualifying second, Schumacher led the {{F1 GP|2006|Japanese}} in what could have seen him heading into the season finale with two points ahead of Alonso. With only 16 laps to go, his car suffered an engine failure for the first time since the {{F1 GP|2000|French}}, ending a 58-race sequence without a mechanical retirement,<ref>{{Cite web|last=Galloway|first=James|date=28 October 2012|title=Michael Schumacher admits his F1 career unlikely to finish memorably|url=https://www.skysports.com/f1/news/12472/8202588/michael-schumacher-admits-his-f1-career-unlikely-to-finish-memorably|access-date=9 February 2024|publisher=Sky Sports}}</ref> handing Alonso the victory.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Henry|first=Alan|date=9 October 2006|title=Formula One: Engine failure ruins Schumacher's dream|work=The Guardian|url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2006/oct/09/formulaone.sport|access-date=22 March 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180323154801/https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2006/oct/09/formulaone.sport|archive-date=23 March 2018}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Kelley|first=Michael|date=9 October 2006|title=Kelley: Schumacher's bad timing crushes title hopes|url=https://www.espn.co.uk/racing/news/story?series=6&id=2618601|access-date=6 February 2024|publisher=ESPN|archive-date=6 February 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240206051340/https://www.espn.co.uk/racing/news/story?series=6&id=2618601|url-status=live}}</ref> He also conceded the title;<ref>{{Cite web|last=Lostia|first=Michele|date=8 October 2006|title=Schumacher concedes the title to Alonso|url=https://www.autosport.com/f1/news/schumacher-concedes-the-title-to-alonso-4405082/4405082/|access-date=6 February 2024|website=Autosport|archive-date=28 June 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240628023733/https://www.autosport.com/f1/news/schumacher-concedes-the-title-to-alonso-4405082/4405082/|url-status=live}}</ref> to win the Drivers' Championship, Schumacher would have had to win the final race and Alonso had to fail to score any point, and he did not wish to win the title like that.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Henry|first=Alan|date=9 October 2006|title=From hero to zero, Schumacher's hopes are suddenly blown|url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2006/oct/09/formulaone.sport|access-date=6 February 2024|work=The Guardian|issn=0261-3077|archive-date=23 March 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180323154801/https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2006/oct/09/formulaone.sport|url-status=live}}</ref> During the pre-race ceremonies of the season's last race, the {{F1 GP|2006|Brazilian}}, former ] player ] presented a trophy to Schumacher for his achievements in Formula One.<ref>{{Cite news|date=22 October 2006|title=Pele to present a trophy to Schumacher|work=International Herald Tribune|url=http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2006/10/20/sports/LA_SPT_CAR_F1_Brazilian_GP_Notebook.php|access-date=1 August 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190912162206/https://www.nytimes.com/|archive-date=12 September 2019}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|date=22 October 2006|title=Schumacher honored by a presentation from Pele|work=International Herald Tribune|url=http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2006/10/22/sports/LA_SPT_CAR_F1_Schumachers_Finale.php|access-date=1 August 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190912162206/https://www.nytimes.com/|archive-date=12 September 2019}}</ref> A fuel pressure problem prevented Schumacher from completing a single lap during the third qualifying session, forcing him to start the race in tenth position.<ref>{{Cite news|date=21 October 2006|title=Schumacher suffers in qualifying|publisher=BBC Sport|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/motorsport/formula_one/6073264.stm|access-date=1 August 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101202070550/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/motorsport/formula_one/6073264.stm|archive-date=2 December 2010}}</ref> Early in the race, Schumacher moved up to sixth place but suffered a puncture caused by the front wing of ]'s Renault.<ref>{{Cite news|date=23 October 2006|title=Fisi did cause Schu puncture|url=http://www.itv-f1.com/News_Article.aspx?PO_ID=37856|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070929115409/http://www.itv-f1.com/News_Article.aspx?PO_ID=37856|archive-date=29 September 2007|access-date=10 February 2024|work=ITV-F1}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Collantine|first=Keith|date=18 September 2009|title=Did more foul play by Renault scupper Schumacher in the 2006 title decider?|url=https://www.racefans.net/2009/09/18/did-more-foul-play-by-renault-scupper-schumacher-in-the-2006-title-decider/|access-date=10 February 2024|website=RaceFans|archive-date=10 February 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240210205635/https://www.racefans.net/2009/09/18/did-more-foul-play-by-renault-scupper-schumacher-in-the-2006-title-decider/|url-status=live}}</ref> Schumacher fell to 19th place, 70 seconds behind teammate and race leader ]. Schumacher recovered and overtook both Fisichella and Räikkönen, his successor at Ferrari following his retirement,<ref name="Gibson 2016"/> to secure fourth place. His performance was praised, as he had the pace to win the race by a lap,<ref>{{Cite web|last=Collantine|first=Keith|date=22 October 2006|title=Massa win, Alonso clinches title after final duel with Schumacher|url=https://www.racefans.net/2006/10/22/brazilian-grand-prix-2006-review/|access-date=10 February 2024|website=RaceFans|archive-date=2 September 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220902143209/https://www.racefans.net/2006/10/22/brazilian-grand-prix-2006-review/|url-status=live}}</ref> and was variously classified in the press as "heroic",<ref>{{Cite news|date=22 October 2006|title=Superb Schumi signs off in style|publisher=BBC Sport|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/motorsport/formula_one/6075782.stm|access-date=3 November 2006|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190330095051/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/motorsport/formula_one/6075782.stm|archive-date=30 March 2019}}</ref> an "utterly breath-taking drive",<ref>{{Cite news|date=22 October 2006|title=Brazil: Alonso takes championship, but Michael steals the show|publisher=ManipeF1|url=http://www.manipef1.com/news/2006/index.php?id=1744|access-date=3 November 2006|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070510225430/http://www.manipef1.com/news/2006/index.php?id=1744|archive-date=10 May 2007}}</ref> and a "performance that ... sums up his career".<ref>{{Cite news|title=2006 Brazil Grand Prix Report|publisher=PitPass|url=http://www.pitpass.com/src/seasons/2006/gp/brazil/report/result.php|access-date=3 November 2006|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180715210614/https://www.pitpass.com/src/seasons/2006/gp/brazil/report/result.php|archive-date=15 July 2018}}</ref> | |||
During the following weeks, Schumacher, Brawn, Byrne, and Todt were credited for turning the struggling Ferrari team into the most successful team in Formula One history,<ref>{{Cite web |date=11 September 2006 |title=Schumacher confirms retirement |url=http://crashnet.cars.msn.co.uk/news_view.asp?cid=1&id=137166 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070928081027/http://crashnet.cars.msn.co.uk/news_view.asp?cid=1&id=137166 |archive-date=28 September 2007 |access-date=28 September 2006 |publisher=MSN Cars}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Ferrari: Formula 1's Most Successful Team Enters a New Era |url=http://formula1.about.com/od/teams/p/Ferrari.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070712202105/http://formula1.about.com/od/teams/p/Ferrari.htm |archive-date=12 July 2007 |access-date=12 June 2007 |website=Formula1.about.com}}</ref> with Schumacher scoring 72 Grand Prix wins at Ferrari and winning five consecutive Drivers' titles.<ref name="Autosport 2009" /> Three-time World Champion ] believed the transformation of the Ferrari team was Schumacher's greatest feat.<ref name=BBCOct2006>{{Cite news |last=Benson |first=Andrew |date=18 October 2006 |title=Schumacher 'made Ferrari great' |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/low/motorsport/formula_one/6061442.stm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190912162206/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/motorsport/formula_one/6061442.stm |archive-date=12 September 2019 |access-date=6 November 2006 |publisher=BBC Sport}}</ref> During his time at the team, Schumacher became the byword for Formula One and ]s in general.<ref name="Walfisz 2023" /> At the end of 2006, Schumacher's 91 wins were 40 more than Alain Prost, who was his nearest rival.<ref>{{Cite web|year=2018|title=Michael Schumacher<!-- | Formula 1®-->|url=https://www.formula1.com/en/drivers/hall-of-fame/Michael_Schumacher.html|access-date=6 February 2024|website=Formula1.com<!--® – The Official F1® Website-->|archive-date=10 October 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221010130927/https://www.formula1.com/en/drivers/hall-of-fame/Michael_Schumacher.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Schumacher held at least thirty-one records, including for most championship titles (7), consecutive titles (5), race victories (91), consecutive wins 7 (2004), wins with one team (72, Ferrari), wins at same Grand Prix (8, France), wins at different Grands Prix (20), time between first and last wins (14 years, 1 month, and 2 days), second places (43), podiums (154), consecutive podium finishes (19, 2001–2002), points finishes (190), laps leading (4.741, or 22,155 km), pole positions (68), front row starts (115), fastest laps (76), doubles (pole and win, 40), ] (pole, fastest lap, and win, 22), championship points (1,369), consecutive race finishes (24, 2001–2003), consecutive points finishes (24),<ref>{{Cite news|date=23 December 2009|title=Michael Schumacher signs three-year contract with Mercedes|url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2009/dec/23/michael-schumacher-mercedes-signs-contract|access-date=10 February 2024|work=The Guardian|issn=0261-3077|archive-date=28 June 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240628023733/https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2009/dec/23/michael-schumacher-mercedes-signs-contract|url-status=live}}</ref> points in a season for the runner-up (121 out of 180, 2006), wins in a season for the runner-up (7, 2006), races for same car and engine builder (180, Ferrari), wins at ] (5), wins at Monza (5), wins in a season (13, 2004), fastest laps in a season (10, 2004), points scored in a season (148, 2004), podium finishes in a season (17, 2002), championship won with most races left (6, 2002), and consecutive years with a win (15).<ref name="Historic Racing 2007">{{Cite web|date=3 January 2007|title=Michael Schumacher|url=https://www.historicracing.com/driverDetail.cfm?driverID=1958|access-date=8 February 2024|website=Historic Racing|archive-date=8 February 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240208171545/https://www.historicracing.com/driverDetail.cfm?driverID=1958|url-status=live}}</ref> | |||
Rumours circulated that Coulthard may be replaced by Schumacher for the 1999 season and beyond and, in a previous edition of the ] magazine, Ron Dennis revealed that he had approached Schumacher to sign a deal with McLaren. However, peripheral financial issues that tied Schumacher with Ferrari, such as sponsorship agreements and payment, could not be rectified in a move to the rival team and so no deal came to fruition. | |||
====2007–2009: New roles at Ferrari, motorcycle racing and injury==== | |||
Schumacher's efforts helped Ferrari win the Constructors title in {{F1|1999}}. He lost his chance to win the Drivers' Championship at the {{F1 GP|1999|British}} at the high-speed ''Stowe Corner'', his car's rear brake failed, sending him off the track and resulting in a broken leg.<ref name="broken leg">{{cite news |title = Schumacher out of action |url = http://www.grandprix.com/ns/ns02071.html |publisher=GrandPrix.com |date=12 July 1999 |accessdate =25 October 2006}}</ref> During his 98-day absence, he was replaced by Finnish driver ]. After missing six races he made his return at the inaugural {{F1 GP|1999|Malaysian}}, qualifying in pole position by almost a second. He then assumed the role of second driver, assisting team mate ]'s bid to win the Drivers' Championship for Ferrari.<ref>{{cite web | |||
]. It is the last Ferrari to have won the Driver's Championship since Schumacher.]] | |||
| title = DRIVERS: MICHAEL SCHUMACHER | |||
During the {{F1|2007}} season, Schumacher acted as Ferrari's adviser and Jean Todt's super assistant.<ref>{{Cite news|date=29 October 2007|title=Schumacher to help Ferrari select drivers|work=Autosport|url=http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/55462|access-date=30 November 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071020041708/http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/55462|archive-date=20 October 2007}}</ref> Schumacher also helped Ferrari with their development programme at the Jerez circuit. He focused on testing electronics and tyres for the {{F1|2008}} season.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Elizalde|first=Pablo|title=Schumacher stays on top in Barcelona – F1 – Autosport|website=Autosport|date=14 November 2007|url=https://www.autosport.com/f1/news/63934/schumacher-stays-on-top-in-barcelona|access-date=22 March 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180323030757/https://www.autosport.com/f1/news/63934/schumacher-stays-on-top-in-barcelona|archive-date=23 March 2018}}</ref> During 2008, Schumacher also competed in ] in the ] series. At a Superbike cup race at the ], Schumacher finished third out of twenty-seven—behind professional motorcycle racers ] and ]—riding a ].<ref>{{Cite web|last1=Babel|first1=Esther|last2=Wiesinger|first2=Günther|date=22 March 2008|title=Schumi auf 2 Rädern!|trans-title=Schumi on 2 wheels!|url=http://www.motorsport-aktuell.com/artikel_1686.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090126022646/http:/www.motorsport-aktuell.com/artikel_1686.html|archive-date=26 January 2009|access-date=17 July 2023|website=Motorsport aktuell|language=de}}</ref> | |||
| publisher=grandprix.com | |||
| url = http://www.grandprix.com/gpe/drv-schmic.html | |||
| accessdate =30 November 2006}}</ref> In the last race of the season, the {{F1 GP|1999|Japanese}}, Häkkinen won his second consecutive title. Schumacher would later say that Häkkinen was the opponent he respected the most.<ref name="hakkinen hof">{{cite web | title = Hall of Fame – World Champions: Mika Hakkinen | publisher=The Official Formula 1 Website |year=2006 | url = http://www.formula1.com/teams_and_drivers/hall_of_fame/40/ | accessdate =5 October 2006}}</ref> | |||
At the {{F1 GP|2009|Hungarian}} on 25 July 2009, Ferrari's Felipe Massa was seriously injured after being struck by a suspension spring during qualifying. Ferrari announced that they planned to draft in Schumacher for the {{F1 GP|2009|European}} and subsequent Grands Prix until Massa was able to race again.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Michael happy to help|url=http://www.michaelschumacher.de/?page=news&story_id=82078&lang=uk|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090801093856/http://www.michaelschumacher.de/?page=news&story_id=82078&lang=uk|archive-date=1 August 2009|access-date=8 August 2009|website=MichaelSchumacher.de<!--Michael Schumacher – Official Website-->}}</ref> Schumacher tested a modified ] to prepare himself as he had been unable to test the ] due to testing restrictions.<ref>{{Cite news|date=29 July 2009|title=Lealdade custa caro: Schumi ganhará cerca de R$8,5 milhões por corrida|language=pt|website=]|url=http://globoesporte.globo.com/Esportes/Noticias/Formula_1/0,,MUL1248620-15011,00.html|access-date=30 July 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090802203026/http://globoesporte.globo.com/Esportes/Noticias/Formula_1/0%2C%2CMUL1248620-15011%2C00.html|archive-date=2 August 2009}}</ref> Ferrari appealed for special permission for Schumacher to test in a {{F1|2009}} season spec car; Williams, ], and ] were against this test.<ref>{{Cite web|date=3 August 2009|title=Williams against Schumacher Ferrari test|url=http://www.gpupdate.net/en/f1-news/217204/williams-against-schumacher-ferrari-test/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120426175458/http://www.gpupdate.net/en/f1-news/217204/williams-against-schumacher-ferrari-test/|archive-date=26 April 2012|access-date=1 February 2011|publisher=GPUpdate.net}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=4 August 2009|title=Red Bull echoes Williams's Ferrari sentiments|url=http://www.gpupdate.net/en/f1-news/217220/red-bull-echoes-williams-ferrari-sentiments/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120426175541/http://www.gpupdate.net/en/f1-news/217220/red-bull-echoes-williams-ferrari-sentiments/|archive-date=26 April 2012|access-date=1 February 2011|publisher=GPUpdate.net}}</ref> In the end, Schumacher was forced to call off his return due to the severity of the neck injury he had received in a ] accident earlier in the year.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Moulson|first=Geir|date=11 August 2009|title=Schumacher calls off comeback, cites neck injury|url=https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/sdut-car-f1-schumacher-081109-2009aug11-story.html|access-date=10 February 2024|website=The San Diego Union-Tribune|archive-date=10 February 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240210051649/https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/sdut-car-f1-schumacher-081109-2009aug11-story.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|last=Connolly|first=Kate|date=8 March 2010|title=Michael Schumacher's doctor reveals recovery after neck injury|url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2010/mar/08/michael-schumacher-doctor-neck-injury|access-date=10 February 2024|work=The Guardian|issn=0261-3077|archive-date=28 June 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240628023734/https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2010/mar/08/michael-schumacher-doctor-neck-injury|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Schumacher cancels F1 return|url=http://www.carthusiast.com/schumacher-cancels-f1-return-2056.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090814231008/http://www.carthusiast.com/schumacher-cancels-f1-return-2056.html|archive-date=14 August 2009|access-date=12 August 2009|website=Carthuasiast.com}}</ref> Instead, Massa's place was first filled by ] and later on by Fisichella.<ref>{{Cite web|date=11 August 2009|title=Schumacher calls off Ferrari return due to neck injury|url=https://www.france24.com/en/20090811-schumacher-calls-off-ferrari-return-due-neck-injury-|access-date=10 February 2024|publisher=France 24|archive-date=13 February 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240213204027/https://www.france24.com/en/20090811-schumacher-calls-off-ferrari-return-due-neck-injury-|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Noble|first=Jonathan|date=3 September 2009|title=Fisichella: Ferrari drive a dream for me|website=Autosport|url=http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/78286|access-date=27 November 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303173311/http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/78286|archive-date=3 March 2016}}</ref> Schumacher described this aborted return to Formula One as his "toughest moment".<ref>{{Cite web|date=12 August 2009|title=Schumacher's turmoil over failed F1 comeback|url=https://edition.cnn.com/2009/SPORT/08/12/motorsport.schumacher.comeback.massa.press.conference/index.html|access-date=10 February 2024|publisher=CNN|archive-date=7 June 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240607115822/https://edition.cnn.com/2009/SPORT/08/12/motorsport.schumacher.comeback.massa.press.conference/index.html|url-status=live}}</ref> | |||
==== 2000–2004: World Championship years ==== | |||
] | |||
] ] ] at the ], the race at which he clinched the {{F1|2002}} Drivers' Championship, setting the record for the fewest races in locking up the title]] | |||
===Mercedes (2010–2012)=== | |||
During this period Schumacher won more races and championships than any other driver in the history of the sport. Schumacher won his third World Championship in {{F1|2000}} after a year-long battle with Häkkinen. Schumacher won the first three races of the season and five of the first eight. Mid-way through the year, Schumacher's chances suffered with three consecutive non-finishes, <!-- *otheus: trivia but interesting >>>> including being hit from behind at the first corner in ] and ], --> allowing Häkkinen to close the gap in the standings. Häkkinen then took another two victories, before Schumacher won at the {{F1 GP|2000|Italian}}. At the post race press conference, after equalling the number of wins (41) won by his idol, ], Schumacher broke into tears.<ref>{{cite news |url= http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/motorsport/formula_one/3605579.stm|title= A death that shocked the world|date=21 April 2004|accessdate=21 April 2007|publisher=BBC |first = Andrew |last = Benson }}</ref> The championship fight would come down to the penultimate race of the season, the {{F1 GP|2000|Japanese}}. Starting from pole position, Schumacher lost the lead to Häkkinen at the start. After his second pit-stop, however, Schumacher came out ahead of Häkkinen and went on to win the race and the championship. | |||
{{quote box|quote="He played a crucial role when we re-joined F1 and was one of the people who laid the foundation for our future success. We're extremely grateful for everything he did for us."|source=Mercedes' team principal ] about Schumacher's influence on the Mercedes team<ref>{{Cite news|year=2019|title=Schumacher a 'founding father' of Mercedes success – Wolff|publisher=Formula One|url=https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/article.schumacher-a-founding-father%27-of-mercedes-success-wolff.1okFZ3mv6kaIicqWKCEaUY.html|access-date=4 April 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200424023737/https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/article.schumacher-a-founding-father%27-of-mercedes-success-wolff.1okFZ3mv6kaIicqWKCEaUY.html|archive-date=24 April 2020}}</ref>|width=23%|align=right}} | |||
In December 2009, Schumacher announced his return to Formula One for the {{F1|2010}} season alongside fellow German driver and 24-years-old ] in the new Mercedes GP team.<ref name="BBC Sport 2009">{{Cite news|date=23 December 2009|title=Michael Schumacher signs up for F1 return with Mercedes|publisher=BBC Sport|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/motorsport/formula_one/8427552.stm|access-date=23 December 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200521183103/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/motorsport/formula_one/8427552.stm|archive-date=21 May 2020}}</ref> The {{F1|2009}} season had ended with ] (taking over from ]) winning both titles,<ref>{{Cite web|last=Noble|first=Jonathan|date=23 December 2009|title=Schumacher targets 2010 world title|url=https://www.autosport.com/f1/news/schumacher-targets-2010-world-title-4435263/4435263/|access-date=6 February 2024|website=Autosport|archive-date=6 February 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240206051357/https://www.autosport.com/f1/news/schumacher-targets-2010-world-title-4435263/4435263/|url-status=live}}</ref> after winning six of the first seven races.<ref>{{Cite news|date=12 March 2010|title=Schumacher's return dominates start of F1 season in Bahrain<!--- CNN.com-->|url=http://www.cnn.com/2010/SPORT/03/12/motorsport.F1.schumacher.return.bahrain/index.html|access-date=6 February 2024|publisher=CNN|archive-date=6 February 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240206051340/http://www.cnn.com/2010/SPORT/03/12/motorsport.F1.schumacher.return.bahrain/index.html|url-status=live}}</ref> For the 2010 season, Mercedes returned to the sport as a constructor for the first time since 1955, and Schumacher rejoined team principal Ross Brawn, who was behind all of his seven World Championships.<ref>{{Cite web|date=22 December 2009|title=Schumacher signs for Mercedes to return to F1 racing: report|url=https://www.smh.com.au/sport/motorsport/schumacher-signs-for-mercedes-to-return-to-f1-racing-report-20091223-lcbo.html|access-date=10 February 2024|website=The Sydney Morning Herald|archive-date=28 June 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240628023734/https://www.smh.com.au/sport/motorsport/schumacher-signs-for-mercedes-to-return-to-f1-racing-report-20091223-lcbo.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Schumacher stated that his preparations to replace the injured Massa had initiated a renewed interest in Formula One, which, combined with the opportunity to fulfil a long-held ambition to drive for Mercedes and to be working again with team principal Ross Brawn, led Schumacher to accept the offer once he was passed fit.<ref name="BBC Sport 2009"/><ref>{{Cite web|last=Musolino|first=Adrian|date=24 December 2009|title=Schumacher returns for a legacy or misery|url=http://www.theroar.com.au/2009/12/24/schumacher-returns-for-a-legacy-or-misery/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181116201645/https://www.theroar.com.au/2009/12/24/schumacher-returns-for-a-legacy-or-misery/|archive-date=16 November 2018|access-date=24 December 2009|website=The Roar}}</ref> Speaking to the ], Schumacher said: "I want to have fun out there and I feel as fresh as ever. I've recharged myself after a three-year break. The challenge is what I look for – I want to know it."<ref name="Gibson 2016" /> | |||
Schumacher signed a three-year contract, reportedly worth £20 million.<ref name="BBC Sport 2009"/> Schumacher's comeback was the most high profile in Formula One since ] came out of a two-year retirement for the {{F1|1982}} season to race for McLaren and went on to win a third world title in {{F1|1984}}. He turned 41 in 2010, the same age Nigel Mansell won the 1994 Australian Grand Prix after having stepped in as a substitute following the death of Ayrton Senna,<ref>{{Cite news|date=23 December 2009|title=Schumacher signs up for F1 return|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/motorsport/formula_one/8427552.stm|access-date=10 February 2024|publisher=BBC Sport|archive-date=21 May 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200521183103/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/motorsport/formula_one/8427552.stm|url-status=live}}</ref> and his prospects with Mercedes were compared with Nigel Mansell, who had won a title at 39 and last competed aged 41; Damon Hill, who competed his final season at 39;<ref>{{Cite web|date=23 December 2009|title=Schumacher signs Mercedes deal|url=https://www.aljazeera.com/sports/2009/12/23/schumacher-signs-mercedes-deal|access-date=10 February 2024|publisher=Al Jazeera|archive-date=22 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201022190921/https://www.aljazeera.com/sports/2009/12/23/schumacher-signs-mercedes-deal/|url-status=live}}</ref> and Juan Manuel Fangio, Formula One's oldest champion who was 46 when he won his fifth title.<ref name="BBC Sport 2009"/> | |||
In {{F1|2001}}, Schumacher took his fourth drivers' title. Four other drivers won races, but none sustained a season-long challenge for the championship. Schumacher scored a record-tying nine wins and clinched the world championship with four races yet to run. He finished the championship with 123 points, 58 ahead of runner-up Coulthard. Season highlights included the {{F1 GP|2001|Canadian}}, where Schumacher finished 2nd to his brother Ralf, thus scoring the first ever 1–2 finish by brothers in Formula One;<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.globetrotter.net/gt/grandprix/en/statistiques.asp | |||
|title= Grand Prix du Canada – Statistiques|accessdate=15 June 2007|publisher=Telus}} {{Dead link|date=April 2012|bot=H3llBot}}</ref> and the ] in which Schumacher scored his 52nd career win, breaking Alain Prost's record for most career wins.<ref>{{cite news |url= http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/low/sports_talk/1520663.stm | |||
|title= Send your tributes to Schumacher|accessdate=3 February 2007|publisher=BBC | date=2 September 2001}}</ref> | |||
====2010: Return from retirement==== | |||
In {{F1|2002}}, Schumacher used the ]<!--, widely considered to be one of the most dominant racing cars in Formula One,--> to retain his Drivers' Championship.<!-- No source to back up claim, hiding --> | |||
After having impressed in the free practices, Schumacher finished sixth in the first race of the season at the {{F1 GP|2010|Bahrain}},<ref>{{Cite news|last=Hamilton|first=Maurice|date=14 March 2010|title=Michael Schumacher remains steely about his F1 season prospects|url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2010/mar/14/michael-schumacher-f1-bahrain|access-date=6 February 2024|work=The Guardian|issn=0261-3077|archive-date=28 June 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240628023735/https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2010/mar/14/michael-schumacher-f1-bahrain|url-status=live}}</ref> 1,239 days after his previous Formula One race.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Gayle|first=Everton|date=23 December 2009|title=Michael Schumacher agrees to Formula One return with Mercedes|url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2009/dec/23/michael-schumacher-f1-return-mercedes|access-date=10 February 2024|work=The Guardian|issn=0261-3077|archive-date=28 June 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240628023801/https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2009/dec/23/michael-schumacher-f1-return-mercedes|url-status=live}}</ref> He finished behind teammate Nico Rosberg in each of the first four qualifying sessions and races; former driver ] suggested that Schumacher might be "past it".<ref>{{Cite news|date=27 April 2010|title=Schumacher is 'past it' – Moss|work=ESPN F1|url=http://en.espnf1.com/mercedes/motorsport/story/15453.html|access-date=25 August 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120928093553/http://en.espnf1.com/mercedes/motorsport/story/15453.html|archive-date=28 September 2012}}</ref> Several other former Formula One drivers thought otherwise, including former rival Damon Hill, who warned "you should never write Schumacher off".<ref>{{Cite news|date=8 July 2010|title=Damon Hill: Never, Ever, Ever, Ever Write Off Schumacher|work=The Black Stuff|publisher=The Media Halls|url=http://theblackstuff.co.uk/?p=1438|access-date=25 August 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120331062909/http://theblackstuff.co.uk/?p=1438|archive-date=31 March 2012}}</ref> GrandPrix.com identified the inherent ] of the Mercedes car, exacerbated by the narrower front tyres introduced for the 2010 season, as contributing to Schumacher's difficulties.<ref>{{Cite web|date=3 May 2010|title=Will chassis upgrade solve Schumacher woes?|url=http://www.grandprix.com/ns/ns22213.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100603062851/http://www.grandprix.com/ns/ns22213.html|archive-date=3 June 2010|access-date=27 May 2010|publisher=Inside F1, inc}}</ref> ] would later claim that Mercedes's car was designed for him, as he would initially drive for the team, and that their differing driving styles may have contributed to Schumacher's difficulties.<ref>{{Cite news|date=28 July 2010|title=Schumacher's car designed for me – Button|work=WorldCarFans|publisher=Black Falcon Media Group|url=http://www.worldcarfans.com/110072827638/schumachers-car-designed-for-me---button|access-date=13 December 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101009005847/http://www.worldcarfans.com/110072827638/schumachers-car-designed-for-me---button#ixzz17z1I3vRO|archive-date=9 October 2010}}</ref> | |||
There was again some controversy, however, at the {{F1 GP|2002|Austrian}}, where his teammate, ] was leading but in the final metres of the race, under ], slowed down to allow Schumacher to win the race.<ref name="bbcaustria"/> The crowd broke into outraged boos at the result and Schumacher tried to make amends by allowing Barrichello to stand on the top step of the podium. At the {{F1 GP|2002|United States}} later that year, Schumacher dominated the race and was set for a close finish with Barrichello. At the end he slowed down to create a formation finish with Barrichello, but slowed too much allowing Barrichello to take the victory. | |||
In winning the Drivers' Championship he equalled the record set by ] of five world championships. Ferrari won 15 out of 17 races, and Schumacher won the title with six races remaining in the season, which is still the earliest point in the season for a driver to be crowned World Champion.<ref>{{cite news|title=Top 10 Michael Schumacher moments|url=http://www.cbc.ca/sports/indepth/10-schumacher-momments.html|work=]|publisher=]|first=John C.|last=Molinaro|date=12 September 2006|accessdate=6 January 2012}}</ref> Schumacher broke his own record, shared with ], of nine race wins in a season, by winning eleven times and finishing every race on the podium. He finished with 144 points, a record-breaking 67 points ahead of the runner-up, his teammate ]. This pair finished 9 of the 17 races in the first two places. | |||
Mercedes upgraded their car for the {{F1 GP|2010|Spanish}} where Schumacher finished fourth.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Collantine|first=Keith|date=9 May 2010|title=Progress or favouritism at Mercedes? (Spanish Grand Prix team-by-team)|url=https://www.racefans.net/2010/05/09/progress-or-favouritism-at-mercedes-spanish-grand-prix-team-by-team/|access-date=6 February 2024|website=RaceFans|archive-date=6 February 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240206051345/https://www.racefans.net/2010/05/09/progress-or-favouritism-at-mercedes-spanish-grand-prix-team-by-team/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Foster|first=Ed|date=9 May 2010|title=2010 Spanish Grand Prix report|url=https://www.motorsportmagazine.com/articles/single-seaters/f1/2010-spanish-grand-prix-report/|access-date=6 February 2024|website=Motor Sport}}</ref> At the {{F1 GP|2010|Monaco}}, Schumacher finished sixth after passing Ferrari's Fernando Alonso on the final corner before the finish line when the safety car returned to the pits. Mercedes held that "the combination of the race control messages 'Safety Car in this lap' and 'Track Clear' and the green flags and lights shown by the marshals after safety car line one indicated that the race was not finishing under the safety car and all drivers were free to race."<ref>{{Cite news|date=18 May 2010|title=Mercedes rule out appeal against Schumacher penalty|publisher=BBC Sport|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/motorsport/formula_one/8690323.stm|access-date=27 January 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100521073942/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/motorsport/formula_one/8690323.stm|archive-date=21 May 2010}}</ref> An FIA investigation found Schumacher guilty of breaching safety car regulations and awarded him a 20-seconds penalty, dropping him to 12th.<ref> {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100519131141/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/motorsport/formula_one/8685542.stm|date=19 May 2010}} ] – F1</ref> In doing so, the FIA sought to clarify the regulations post-race, as the new and old rules appeared to be in conflict.<ref name="Gibson 2016"/> | |||
] in 2004, where he won the ]]] | |||
At the {{F1 GP|2010|Turkish}}, Schumacher qualified fifth and finished fourth in the race, both his best results since his return.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Spurgeon|first=Brad|date=10 November 2010|title=Michael Schumacher: Return of the Racing King Failed to Dazzle|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2010/11/27/sports/autoracing/27iht-SRSCHUMACHER.html|access-date=6 February 2024|work=The New York Times|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=28 June 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240628024246/https://www.nytimes.com/2010/11/27/sports/autoracing/27iht-SRSCHUMACHER.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Hill 2010">{{cite web|url=https://bleacherreport.com/articles/534308-michael-schumacher-the-good-the-bad-and-the-ugly-of-his-2010-season|title=Michael Schumacher: The Good, the Bad and the Ugly of His 2010 Season|last=Hill|first=Matt|date=4 December 2010|website=]|access-date=10 May 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110510102624/https://bleacherreport.com/articles/534308-michael-schumacher-the-good-the-bad-and-the-ugly-of-his-2010-season|archive-date=10 May 2011}}</ref> At the {{F1 GP|2010|European}} in Valencia, Schumacher finished 15th, the lowest recorded finish in his career.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Young|first=Byron|date=27 June 2010|title=Michael Schumacher blasts Valencia Grand Prix stewards|work=Daily Mirror|location=UK|url=https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/motorsport/2010/06/27/michael-schumacher-blasts-valencia-grand-prix-stewards-115875-22365702/|access-date=15 November 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101118145048/http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/motorsport/2010/06/27/michael-schumacher-blasts-valencia-grand-prix-stewards-115875-22365702/|archive-date=18 November 2010}}</ref> At the {{F1 GP|2010|Hungarian}}, Rubens Barrichello attempted to pass Schumacher down the inside on the main straight. Schumacher closed the inside line to force Barrichello onto the outside; Barrichello persisted on the inside at {{convert|180|mph|0|abbr=on}} despite the close proximity of a concrete wall and Schumacher leaving him only inches to spare.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Rae|first=Richard|date=1 August 2010|title=Schumacher punished for dangerous move on Barrichello|publisher=BBC Sport|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/motorsport/formula_one/8875370.stm|access-date=2 August 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170728214251/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/motorsport/formula_one/8875370.stm|archive-date=28 July 2017}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|date=2 August 2010|title=Michael Schumacher defended by Ross Brawn after Rubens Barrichello near-miss|work=The Daily Telegraph|location=UK|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/motorsport/formulaone/michael-schumacher/7922228/Michael-Schumacher-defended-by-Ross-Brawn-after-Rubens-Barrichello-near-miss.html|access-date=27 January 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110123164255/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/motorsport/formulaone/michael-schumacher/7922228/Michael-Schumacher-defended-by-Ross-Brawn-after-Rubens-Barrichello-near-miss.html|archive-date=23 January 2011}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Collantine|first=Keith|date=3 August 2010|title=2010 Hungarian Grand Prix – the complete F1 Fanatic race weekend review|url=https://www.racefans.net/2010/08/03/2010-hungarian-gp-the-complete-f1-fanatic-race-weekend-review/|access-date=6 February 2024|website=RaceFans|archive-date=28 June 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240628024247/https://www.racefans.net/2010/08/03/2010-hungarian-gp-the-complete-f1-fanatic-race-weekend-review/|url-status=live}}</ref> Schumacher, who finished 12th,<ref>{{Cite web|last=Collantine|first=Keith|date=1 August 2010|title=Webber grabs Hungary win after Vettel blunder|url=https://www.racefans.net/2010/08/01/webber-grabs-hungary-win-after-vettel-blunder-hungarian-grand-prix-review/|access-date=6 February 2024|website=RaceFans|archive-date=6 February 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240206051354/https://www.racefans.net/2010/08/01/webber-grabs-hungary-win-after-vettel-blunder-hungarian-grand-prix-review/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last1=Elizalde|first1=Pablo|last2=O'Leary|first2=Jamie|date=1 August 2010|title=The complete 2010 Hungarian GP review|url=https://www.autosport.com/f1/news/the-complete-2010-hungarian-gp-review-5081086/5081086/|access-date=6 February 2024|website=Autosport|archive-date=6 February 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240206051352/https://www.autosport.com/f1/news/the-complete-2010-hungarian-gp-review-5081086/5081086/|url-status=live}}</ref> was found guilty of dangerous driving and was demoted ten places on the grid for the following race, the {{F1 GP|2010|Belgian}},<ref>{{Cite news|last=Owen|first=Oliver|date=1 August 2010|title=Michael Schumacher hit with grid penalty after 'dangerous manoeuvre'|url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2010/aug/01/michael-schumacher-penalty-hungarian-grand-prix|access-date=6 February 2024|work=The Guardian|issn=0261-3077|archive-date=28 June 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240628024247/https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2010/aug/01/michael-schumacher-penalty-hungarian-grand-prix|url-status=live}}</ref> where he finished seventh despite starting 21st after his grid penalty.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Roebuck|first=Nigel|date=30 August 2010|title=2010 Belgian Grand Prix report|url=https://www.motorsportmagazine.com/articles/single-seaters/f1/2010-belgian-grand-prix-report/|access-date=6 February 2024|website=Motor Sport|archive-date=6 February 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240206051339/https://www.motorsportmagazine.com/articles/single-seaters/f1/2010-belgian-grand-prix-report/|url-status=live}}</ref> At the {{F1 GP|2010|Abu Dhabi}}, Schumacher was involved in a major accident on the first lap, after ]'s car collided with Schumacher's, barely missing his head.<ref>{{Cite news|date=14 November 2010|title=Schumacher escapes unhurt from crash at Abu Dhabi|work=USA Today|publisher=David Hunke; ]|agency=Associated Press|url=https://www.usatoday.com/sports/motor/2010-11-14-3633796092_x.htm|access-date=20 November 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101117173616/http://www.usatoday.com/sports/motor/2010-11-14-3633796092_x.htm|archive-date=17 November 2010}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|date=14 November 2010|title=Lucky escape for Michael Schumacher after crash with Vitantonio Liuzzi|work=The Daily Telegraph|location=UK|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/motorsport/formulaone/michael-schumacher/8132363/F1-Abu-Dhabi-Grand-Prix-2010-lucky-escape-for-Michael-Schumacher-after-crash-with-Vitantonio-Liuzzi.html|access-date=20 November 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101117081845/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/motorsport/formulaone/michael-schumacher/8132363/F1-Abu-Dhabi-Grand-Prix-2010-lucky-escape-for-Michael-Schumacher-after-crash-with-Vitantonio-Liuzzi.html|archive-date=17 November 2010}}</ref> Schumacher finished the season in ninth place with 72 points.<ref>{{Cite news|date=13 January 2011|title=Alonso wary of Schumacher threat|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/motorsport/formula_one/9360338.stm|access-date=9 February 2024|publisher=BBC Sport|archive-date=28 June 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240628024330/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/motorsport/formula_one/9360338.stm|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=2010 F1 World Championship {{!}} Motorsport Database|url=https://www.motorsportmagazine.com/database/championships/2010-f1-world-championship/|access-date=9 February 2024|website=Motor Sport|archive-date=13 February 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240213100327/https://www.motorsportmagazine.com/database/championships/2010-f1-world-championship/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Cooper|first=Adam|date=7 July 2014|title=Michael Schumacher's F1 comeback: 'People think I can only be happy when I win races'|url=https://www.motorsportmagazine.com/archive/article/february-2011/50/people-think-i-can-only-be-happy-when-i-win-races/|access-date=6 February 2024|website=Motor Sport|archive-date=6 February 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240206051340/https://www.motorsportmagazine.com/archive/article/february-2011/50/people-think-i-can-only-be-happy-when-i-win-races/|url-status=live}}</ref> For the first time since 1991, Schumacher finished a year without a win, pole position, podium, or fastest lap.<ref name="Hill 2010"/> | |||
Schumacher broke Juan Manuel Fangio's record of five World Drivers' Championships by winning the drivers' title for the sixth time in {{F1|2003}}, a closely contested season. The biggest competition came once again from the ] and ] teams. In the first race, Schumacher ran off track, and in the following two, was involved in collisions.<ref>{{cite news | title = Coulthard takes Melbourne thriller |publisher=BBC Sport |date=9 March 2003 | url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/motorsport/formula_one/2832441.stm | accessdate =3 November 2006}}</ref><ref>{{cite news | title = Raikkonen claims maiden win |publisher=BBC Sport |date=23 March 2003 | url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/motorsport/formula_one/2877461.stm | accessdate =3 November 2006}}</ref><ref>{{cite news | title = Raikkonen wins chaotic race |publisher=BBC Sport |date=6 April 2003 | url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/motorsport/formula_one/2922651.stm | accessdate =3 November 2006}}</ref> He fell 16 points behind ]. Schumacher won the {{F1 GP|2003|San Marino}} and the next two races, and closed within two points of Räikkönen. Aside from Schumacher's victory in ], and Barrichello's victory in ], the mid-season was dominated by Williams drivers ] and ], who each claimed two victories. After the {{F1 GP|2003|Hungarian}}, Michael Schumacher led Montoya and Kimi Räikkönen by only one and two points, respectively. Ahead of the next race, the FIA announced changes to the way tyre widths were to be measured: this forced ], supplier to Williams and McLaren among others, to rapidly redesign their tyres before the {{F1 GP|2003|Italian}}.<ref>{{cite news | title = | |||
FIA stands by tyre rulings |publisher=BBC Sport |date=9 September 2006 | url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/motorsport/formula_one/3092598.stm | accessdate =25 April 2007}}</ref> Schumacher, running on ] tyres, won the next two races.<!-- *otheus* were they decisive? Or extremely closely contested? cannot be both! 4u1e - actually they can. Close in terms of the race, decisive in terms of the championship! :) --> After Montoya was penalised in the {{F1 GP|2003|United States}}, only Schumacher and Räikkönen remained in contention for the title. At the final round, the {{F1 GP|2003|Japanese}}, Schumacher needed only one point whilst Räikkönen needed to win. By finishing the race in eighth place, Schumacher took one point and assured his sixth World Drivers' title, ending the season two points ahead of Räikkönen. | |||
====2011–2012: Final podium and second retirement==== | |||
In {{F1|2004}}, Schumacher won a record twelve of the first thirteen races of the season, only failing to finish in Monaco after an accident with Juan Pablo Montoya during a ] period when he briefly locked his car's brakes. He clinched a record ] at the {{F1 GP|2004|Belgian}}. He finished that season with a record 148 points, 34 points ahead of the runner-up, teammate Rubens Barrichello, and set a new record of 13 race wins out of a possible 18, surpassing his previous best of 11 wins from the {{f1|2002}} season.<ref>{{cite web | |||
] | |||
| title = A tribute to Michael Schumacher | |||
] | |||
| publisher=f1technical.net | |||
] | |||
| year=2006 | |||
After starting the {{F1|2011}} season with a retirement,<ref>{{Cite web|last=Collantine|first=Keith|date=28 March 2011|title=Collisions spoil Mercedes' start to the season|url=https://www.racefans.net/2011/03/28/2011-australian-grand-prix-mercedes-2/|access-date=6 February 2024|website=RaceFans|archive-date=6 February 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240206051404/https://www.racefans.net/2011/03/28/2011-australian-grand-prix-mercedes-2/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Collantine|first=Keith|date=29 March 2011|title=2011 Australian Grand Prix: complete race weekend review|url=https://www.racefans.net/2011/03/29/2011-australian-grand-prix-complete-race-weekend-review/|access-date=6 February 2024|website=RaceFans|archive-date=6 February 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240206051339/https://www.racefans.net/2011/03/29/2011-australian-grand-prix-complete-race-weekend-review/|url-status=live}}</ref> Schumacher's first points were scored at the {{F1 GP|2011|Malaysian}} where he finished ninth;<ref>{{Cite web|last=Collantine|first=Keith|date=11 April 2011|title=Schumacher scores for struggling Mercedes|url=https://www.racefans.net/2011/04/11/2011-malaysian-grand-prix-mercedes/|access-date=6 February 2024|website=RaceFans|archive-date=6 February 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240206051406/https://www.racefans.net/2011/04/11/2011-malaysian-grand-prix-mercedes/|url-status=live}}</ref> Schumacher later came sixth in Spain,<ref>{{Cite web|last=Collantine|first=Keith|date=24 May 2011|title=2011 Spanish Grand Prix: complete race weekend review|url=https://www.racefans.net/2011/05/24/2011-spanish-grand-prix-complete-race-weekend-review/|access-date=6 February 2024|website=RaceFans|archive-date=6 February 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240206051402/https://www.racefans.net/2011/05/24/2011-spanish-grand-prix-complete-race-weekend-review/|url-status=live}}</ref> and he took fourth place at the {{F1 GP|2011|Canadian}},<ref>{{Cite web|last=Collantine|first=Keith|date=13 June 2011|title=Mercedes: Schumacher misses out on podium|url=https://www.racefans.net/2011/06/13/2011-canadian-grand-prix-mercedes/|access-date=6 February 2024|website=RaceFans|archive-date=6 February 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240206051359/https://www.racefans.net/2011/06/13/2011-canadian-grand-prix-mercedes/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Tisshaw|first=Mark|date=2 June 2021|title=Autocar's favourite races: 2011 Canadian Grand Prix|url=https://www.autocar.co.uk/opinion/motorsport-news-f1/autocars-favourite-races-2011-canadian-grand-prix|access-date=6 February 2024|website=Autocar|archive-date=28 June 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240628024333/https://www.autocar.co.uk/opinion/motorsport-news-f1/autocars-favourite-races-2011-canadian-grand-prix|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=14 June 2023|title=Button's Canada 2011 win is overhyped – we only want to remember a great race|url=https://racingnews365.com/buttons-canada-2011-win-is-overhyped-we-only-want-to-remember-a-great-race|access-date=6 February 2024|website=RacingNews365|archive-date=6 February 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240206051339/https://racingnews365.com/buttons-canada-2011-win-is-overhyped-we-only-want-to-remember-a-great-race|url-status=live}}</ref> after running as high as second in a wet race;<ref>{{Cite web|date=12 June 2011|title=2011 Canadian GP review: Button bounces back to win|url=http://www.f1fanatic.co.uk/2011/06/12/canadian-grand-prix-report/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161019040643/http://www.f1fanatic.co.uk/2011/06/12/canadian-grand-prix-report/|archive-date=19 October 2016|access-date=25 January 2017|website=F1 Fanatic}}</ref> his Canadian race was seen at the time as his most convincing performance since he came out of retirement.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Benson|first=Andrew|date=20 June 2011|title=Michael Schumacher finally finds his form|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/andrewbenson/2011/06/in_all_the_excitement_followin.html|access-date=10 February 2024|publisher=BBC}}</ref> Despite starting last at the {{F1 GP|2011|Belgian}},<ref>{{Cite web|last=Collantine|first=Keith|date=28 August 2011|title=Vettel victorious in dramatic Spa race|url=https://www.racefans.net/2011/08/28/2011-belgian-grand-prix-report/|access-date=6 February 2024|website=RaceFans}}</ref> twenty years after his debut,<ref>{{Cite web|date=24 August 2011|title=Belgian Grand Prix 2011: Michael Schumacher eyes podium place in Spa on 20th anniversary of Formula One career|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/motorsport/formulaone/8721701/Belgian-Grand-Prix-2011-Michael-Schumacher-eyes-podium-place-in-Spa-on-20th-anniversary-of-Formula-One-career.html|access-date=6 February 2024|website=The Telegraph}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last1=Beer|first1=Matt|last2=Straw|first2=Eddie|date=28 August 2011|title=The complete 2011 Belgian GP review|url=https://www.autosport.com/f1/news/the-complete-2011-belgian-gp-review-5091252/5091252/|access-date=6 February 2024|website=Autosport}}</ref> Schumacher finished fifth.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Collantine|first=Keith|date=30 August 2011|title=2011 Belgian Grand Prix: complete race review|url=https://www.racefans.net/2011/08/30/2011-belgian-grand-prix-complete-race-weekend-review/|access-date=6 February 2024|website=RaceFans}}</ref> The {{F1 GP|2011|Japanese}} saw Schumacher lead three laps during the race, marking the first time he had led a race since 2006.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Sheringham|first=Sam|date=9 October 2011|title=Japanese Grand Prix as it happened|publisher=BBC Sport|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/motorsport/formula_one/9610783.stm|access-date=10 October 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190912162208/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/motorsport/formula_one/9610783.stm|archive-date=12 September 2019|quote=Lap 40: This is the first time Schuey has led a race since the Japanese GP in 2006.}}</ref> In doing so, he became the oldest driver to lead a race since ] in 1970.<ref name=ABCgreatest>{{Cite news|date=30 December 2013|title=Michael Schumacher the greatest F1 driver of all time|publisher=ABC News|location=Australia|url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-12-30/michael-schumacher-the-greatest-formula-one-driver-of-all-time/5178660?pfmredir=sm|access-date=25 January 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170202025700/http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-12-30/michael-schumacher-the-greatest-formula-one-driver-of-all-time/5178660?pfmredir=sm|archive-date=2 February 2017}}</ref> Schumacher finished the season in eighth place in the Drivers' Championship, with 76 points.<ref>{{Cite web|date=30 September 2010|title=A better car the key to Schumacher's 2011 season|url=https://www.motorsport.com/f1/news/a-better-car-the-key-to-schumachers-2011-season/3218116/|access-date=6 February 2024|website=Motorsport.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=2011 F1 World Championship {{!}} Motorsport Database|url=https://www.motorsportmagazine.com/database/championships/2011-f1-world-championship/|access-date=9 February 2024|website=Motor Sport}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=2011 F1 Results & Standings Schedule|website=F1-Fansite.com|date=16 June 2012|url=http://www.f1-fansite.com/f1-results/results-2011-formula-1-season/|access-date=25 January 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170202041227/http://www.f1-fansite.com/f1-results/results-2011-formula-1-season/|archive-date=2 February 2017}}</ref> | |||
| url = http://www.f1technical.net/news/3949 | |||
| accessdate =1 December 2007 }}</ref> | |||
Schumacher was again partnered by Nico Rosberg at Mercedes for the {{F1|2012}} season.<ref>{{Cite news|date=27 January 2010|title=Schumacher could stay in F1 after 2012|work=ESPN F1|url=http://en.espnf1.com/mercedes/motorsport/story/7532.html|access-date=25 July 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141218174303/http://en.espnf1.com/mercedes/motorsport/story/7532.html|archive-date=18 December 2014}}</ref> After qualifying fourth in what was his best qualifying since his return,<ref>{{Cite web|last=Lines|first=Chris|date=22 March 2012|title=Schumacher has hopes high for Malaysian Grand Prix|url=https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/sdut-schumacher-has-hopes-high-for-malaysian-grand-prix-2012mar22-story.html|access-date=6 February 2024|website=The San Diego Union-Tribune}}</ref> he retired from the season's inaugural {{F1 GP|2012|Australian}},<ref>{{Cite news |date=18 March 2012 |title=Brawn upbeat despite Melbourne failure |url=https://www.google.com/hostednews/ukpress/article/ALeqM5gcx7P9DYPxinDYuIuShwcYbp5pZg?docId=N1176961332075459939A |access-date=18 March 2012 |agency=]}}{{dead link|date=June 2024|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref> and scored a point in the second round at the {{F1 GP|2012|Malaysian}} with intermittent rain,<ref>{{Cite web|last1=Beer|first1=Matt|last2=Elizalde|first2=Pablo|date=24 March 2012|title=The complete Malaysian Grand Prix review|url=https://www.autosport.com/f1/news/the-complete-malaysian-grand-prix-review-5098472/5098472/|access-date=6 February 2024|website=Autosport}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Collantine|first=Keith|date=25 March 2012|title=Alonso holds off Perez for superb win in Malaysia|url=https://www.racefans.net/2012/03/25/2012-malaysian-grand-prix-report/|access-date=6 February 2024|website=RaceFans}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Michaels|first=Jakes|date=27 September 2017|title=Memory lane: 19 years of the Malaysian GP|url=https://www.espn.co.uk/f1/story/_/id/20830608/memory-lane-19-years-racing-malaysian-grand-prix|access-date=6 February 2024|publisher=ESPN}}</ref> after qualifying third.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Spurgeon|first=Brad|date=13 April 2012|title=Schumacher Shows He Can Still Be a Contender|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2012/04/14/sports/autoracing/14iht-srf1profile14.html|access-date=6 February 2024|work=The New York Times|issn=0362-4331}}</ref> At the {{F1 GP|2012|Chinese}}, Schumacher started on the front row but retired due to a loose wheel after a mechanic's error during a pit stop.<ref>{{Cite news|date=19 April 2012|title=Michael Schumacher's retirement at Chinese Grand Prix – What exactly happens when a wheel nut is loose?|url=https://www.sportskeeda.com/f1/michael-schumachers-retirement-at-chinese-grand-prix-what-exactly-happens-when-a-wheel-nut-is-loose|access-date=22 March 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180323092454/https://www.sportskeeda.com/f1/michael-schumachers-retirement-at-chinese-grand-prix-what-exactly-happens-when-a-wheel-nut-is-loose|archive-date=23 March 2018}}</ref> After causing a collision with ] at the {{F1 GP|2012|Spanish}},<ref>{{Cite web|last1=Beer|first1=Matt|last2=Creighton|first2=Geoff|date=13 May 2012|title=Schumacher, Senna blame each other for Spanish Grand Prix accident|url=https://www.autosport.com/f1/news/schumacher-senna-blame-each-other-for-spanish-grand-prix-accident-4454156/4454156/|access-date=6 February 2024|website=Autosport}}</ref> Schumacher received a five-place grid penalty for the {{F1 GP|2012|Monaco}}.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Benson|first=Andrew|date=13 May 2012|title=Michael Schumacher penalised for Bruno Senna clash|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/formula1/18053192|access-date=6 February 2024|publisher=BBC Sport}}</ref> Twenty-one years into his career,<ref name="Gibson 2016" /> Schumacher was fastest in qualifying in Monaco but started sixth owing to his penalty.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Cary|first=Tom|date=26 May 2012|title=Monaco Grand Prix 2012: grid penalty denies Michael Schumacher of pole as Mark Webber leads the line|work=The Daily Telegraph|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/motorsport/formulaone/michael-schumacher/9292074/Monaco-Grand-Prix-2012-grid-penalty-denies-Michael-Schumacher-of-pole-as-Mark-Webber-leads-the-line.html|access-date=22 March 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180323055216/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/motorsport/formulaone/michael-schumacher/9292074/Monaco-Grand-Prix-2012-grid-penalty-denies-Michael-Schumacher-of-pole-as-Mark-Webber-leads-the-line.html|archive-date=23 March 2018|issn=0307-1235}}</ref> He later retired from seventh place in the race.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Sport|first=The Telegraph|date=27 May 2012|title=Monaco Grand Prix 2012: bittersweet weekend for Mercedes as Rosberg shines and Schumacher's bad luck continues|work=The Daily Telegraph|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/motorsport/formulaone/mercedes/9293463/Monaco-Grand-Prix-2012-bittersweet-weekend-for-Mercedes-as-Rosberg-shines-and-Schumachers-bad-luck-continues.html|access-date=22 March 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180323070746/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/motorsport/formulaone/mercedes/9293463/Monaco-Grand-Prix-2012-bittersweet-weekend-for-Mercedes-as-Rosberg-shines-and-Schumachers-bad-luck-continues.html|archive-date=23 March 2018|issn=0307-1235}}</ref> At the {{F1 GP|2012|European}}, Schumacher finished third, his only podium finish since his return to Formula One.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Morland|first=Greg|date=30 November 2012|title=Top ten: Schumacher comeback moments|url=https://www.racefans.net/2012/11/30/top-ten-schumacher-comeback-moments/|access-date=6 February 2024|website=RaceFans}}</ref> At 43 years and 173 days, he became the oldest driver to achieve a podium since 1970, when ] achieved second-place finish at the {{F1 GP|1970|British}}.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Collantine|first=Keith|date=25 June 2012|title=Schumacher is oldest driver on podium since 1970|url=https://www.racefans.net/2012/06/25/2012-european-grand-prix-stats-facts/|access-date=6 February 2024|website=RaceFans}}</ref> At the {{F1 GP|2012|German}}, Schumacher set the fastest lap for the 77th time in his career.<ref>{{Cite news|date=23 July 2012|title=Conclusions from the German GP|publisher=Sky Sports|url=http://www1.skysports.com/formula-1/news/22058/7928246/Conclusions-from-the-German-GP|access-date=24 July 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120726015714/http://www1.skysports.com/formula-1/news/22058/7928246/Conclusions-from-the-German-GP|archive-date=26 July 2012}}</ref> At the {{F1 GP|2012|Belgian}}, Schumacher became the second driver in history (after Rubens Barrichello) to race in 300 Grands Prix;<ref>{{Cite news|date=30 August 2012|title=300 up for seven-time champion Schumacher in Belgian Grand Prix|url=https://www.cnn.com/2012/08/30/sport/motorsport/motorsport-schumacher-belgian-grand-prix-300/index.html|access-date=6 February 2024|publisher=CNN}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Hallam|first=Mark|date=30 August 2012|title=Schumi and Spa<!--– DW – 08/30/2012-->|url=https://www.dw.com/en/schumachers-spa-milestones-from-zero-to-300/a-16204593|access-date=6 February 2024|publisher=Deutsche Welle}}</ref> he took seventh place after starting 13th.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Collantine|first=Keith|date=2 September 2012|title=Button storms to Spa win after first-lap shunt|url=https://www.racefans.net/2012/09/02/2012-belgian-grand-prix-report/|access-date=6 February 2024|website=RaceFans}}</ref> | |||
==== 2005–2006 ==== | |||
] during the ]]] | |||
Rule changes for the 2005 season required tyres to last an entire race,<ref name=rulechanges>{{cite news | url= http://www.formula1.com/news/headlines/2004/10/2367.html | title = FIA announce rule changes for 2005 and 2006 | work=The Official Formula 1 Website |date=22 October 2004 | accessdate=13 April 2007 }}</ref> tipping the overall advantage to teams using Michelins over teams such as Ferrari that relied on Bridgestone tyres.<ref>{{cite news |title = Michael Schumacher | url = http://www.f1complete.com/content/view/376/273/ | publisher=f1complete.com | accessdate =30 November 2007}}</ref> The rule changes were partly in an effort to dent Ferrari's dominance and make the series more interesting.<ref name = "superwheels" /> The most notable moment of the early season for Schumacher was his battle with ] in ], where he started 13th and finished only 0.2 seconds behind the Spanish driver.<ref>{{cite news | title = Alonso holds off Schumacher surge |publisher=BBC Sport |date=24 April 2005 | url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/motorsport/formula_one/4478747.stm | accessdate =3 November 2006}}</ref> Less than half-way through the season, Schumacher said "I don't think I can count myself in this battle any more. It was like trying to fight with a blunted weapon.... If your weapons are weak you don't have a chance."<ref>{{cite news | title = Alonso within touching distance of title |work=The Guardian |date=27 July 2005 | url = http://sport.guardian.co.uk/formulaone/story/0,10069,1535586,00.html |first = Alan |last = Henry| accessdate =5 November 2006 | location=London}}</ref> Schumacher's sole win in 2005 came at the {{F1 GP|2005|United States}}. Prior to that race, the Michelin tyres were found to have significant safety issues. When no compromise between the teams and the FIA could be reached, all but the six drivers using Bridgestone tyres dropped out of the race after the formation lap.<ref>{{cite news |title = Schumacher takes hollow USGP victory | url = http://www.crash.net/news_view.asp?cid=1&id=113296 | publisher=Crash.net |date = 19 June 2005 | accessdate =19 June 2007}}</ref> Schumacher retired in six of the 19 races. He finished the season in third with 62 points, fewer than half the points of world champion Alonso. | |||
Schumacher's indecision over his future plans led to him being replaced by ] at Mercedes for the {{F1|2013}} season.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Noble|first=Jonathan|date=28 September 2012|title=Schumacher's indecision prompted Mercedes to chase Hamilton|work=]|url=http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/102906/|access-date=16 October 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121001004837/http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/102906|archive-date=1 October 2012}}</ref> In October 2012, days before the {{F1 GP|2012|Japanese}}, Schumacher announced he would retire for a second time,<ref>{{Cite news|date=4 October 2012|title=Schumacher announces Formula One retirement|publisher=]|url=http://www.formula1.com/news/headlines/2012/10/13863.html|access-date=4 October 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121006134357/http://www.formula1.com/news/headlines/2012/10/13863.html|archive-date=6 October 2012}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|last=Andrew|first=Andrew|date=5 October 2012|title=Michael Schumacher crashes during Japanese Grand Prix practice|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/motor-racing/michael-schumacher-crashes-during-japanese-grand-prix-practice-8199151.html|access-date=6 February 2024|work=The Independent}}</ref> stating: "There were times in the past few months in which I didn't want to deal with Formula One or prepare for the next Grand Prix."<ref>{{Cite news|date=14 October 2012|title=Schumacher Ready To Go 'Home' After Retirement|work=]|publisher=Speed Channel, Inc.|agency=GMM|url=http://formula-one.speedtv.com/article/f1-michael-schumacher-ready-to-go-home-after-formula-one-retirement/|access-date=16 October 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121015114312/http://formula-one.speedtv.com/article/f1-michael-schumacher-ready-to-go-home-after-formula-one-retirement|archive-date=15 October 2012}}</ref> In what would be his 308th and last entry and 306th race start, Schumacher concluded the season with a seventh-place finish at the {{F1 GP|2012|Brazilian}}, which was also the position he started his first Formula One race.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Collantine|first=Keith|date=26 November 2012|title=Schumacher finishes his F1 career as he started it|url=https://www.racefans.net/2012/11/26/2012-brazilian-grand-prix-stats-facts/|access-date=6 February 2024|website=RaceFans}}</ref> During the race, he symbolically pulled over for fellow German ] en route to his then third Drivers' Championship.<ref name="RaceFans 2006">{{Cite web|date=15 February 2006|title=Michael Schumacher|url=https://www.racefans.net/michael-schumacher/|access-date=6 February 2024|website=RaceFans|postscript=. Updated 2024.}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last1=Beer|first1=Matt|last2=Tremayne|first2=Sam|date=27 November 2012|title=Red Bull thanks 'gracious' Schumacher for giving Vettel sixth|url=https://www.autosport.com/f1/news/red-bull-thanks-gracious-schumacher-for-giving-vettel-sixth-4462384/4462384/|access-date=6 February 2024|website=Autosport}}</ref> Schumacher finished 13th in the 2012 Drivers' Championship.<ref>{{Cite web |title=2012 F1 World Championship {{!}} Motorsport Database |url=https://www.motorsportmagazine.com/database/championships/2012-f1-world-championship/ |access-date=9 February 2024 |website=Motor Sport}}</ref> During his comeback, he led three laps but never won a race and never finished higher than eighth in the overall Formula One standings.<ref name="Bitannica 2024" /><ref>{{Cite web |last=Moore |first=Justin |date=15 April 2021 |title=In Formula One, Does The Driver Or Car Matter More? |url=https://fivethirtyeight.com/features/in-formula-one-does-the-driver-or-car-matter-more/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240408190452/https://fivethirtyeight.com/features/in-formula-one-does-the-driver-or-car-matter-more/ |archive-date=8 April 2024 |access-date=10 February 2024 |website=FiveThirtyEight}}</ref> He closed his career with 91 wins, 155 podiums, and 68 pole positions, which at the time were all records.<ref name="Jeffries 2023" /> Before it was surpassed by Hamilton in 2020, Schumacher's 91 wins were one short of the combined win totals of Ayrton Senna and Alain Prost.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Freeman |first=Glenn |date=3 January 2019 |title=Michael Schumacher's top 10 F1 victories |url=https://www.autosport.com/f1/news/michael-schumachers-top-10-f1-victories-5111617/5111617/ |access-date=6 February 2024 |website=Autosport}}</ref> | |||
{{F1|2006}} became the last season of Schumacher's Ferrari career. After three races, Schumacher had just 11 points and was already 17 points behind Alonso. He won the following two races. His pole position at ] was his 66th, breaking Ayrton Senna's 12-year-old record. | |||
Despite a difficult three years, which included adaptation to significant different regulations and new ] tyres, as well as rust, and being bested by his teammate, he had improved in the last two years where he arguably outraced Rosberg but bad luck and mechanical failures did not reflect it at the standings.<ref name="Gibson 2016" /> It has been argued that it was his 2009 motorcycle accident why the comeback had not been successful. In the words of ], "I believe his motorcycle accident, and the damaged neurons from a neck injury that in 90 per cent of cases is fatal, was probably more responsible for his lack of form second time around than age or length of absence."<ref>{{Cite web |last=Hughes |first=Mark |date=16 July 2018 |title=F1 frontline: February 2018 |url=https://www.motorsportmagazine.com/archive/article/february-2018/36/f1-frontline-february-2018/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240628023736/https://www.motorsportmagazine.com/archive/article/february-2018/36/f1-frontline-february-2018/ |archive-date=28 June 2024 |access-date=9 February 2024 |website=Motor Sport}}</ref> | |||
Schumacher was stripped of pole position at the {{F1 GP|2006|Monaco}} and started the race at the back of the grid. This was due to his stopping his car and blocking part of the circuit while Alonso was on his qualifying lap; he still managed to work his way up to 5th place on the notoriously cramped Monaco circuit. | |||
By the {{F1 GP|2006|Canadian}}, the ninth race of the season, Schumacher was 25 points behind Alonso, but he then won the following three races to reduce his disadvantage to 11. After his victories in ] (in which Alonso had an engine failure)<ref>{{cite news | title = Alonso's Renault Engine blew in spectacular fashion | publisher=Motorsport.com |date=10 September 2006 | url = http://www.motorsport.com/news/article.asp?ID=232358 | accessdate =1 August 2007}}</ref> and ], in which Alonso had tyre problems,<ref>{{cite news | title = Alonso has trouble with his front tires |work=The Washington Post |date=1 October 2006 | url = http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/10/01/AR2006100100207_2.html | accessdate =1 August 2007 | first=Salvatore | last=Zanca}}</ref> Schumacher led in the championship standings for the first time during the season. Although he and Alonso had the same point total, Schumacher was in front because he had won more races. | |||
] for 4th with three laps to go of ] at ], having dropped to 19th early on]] | |||
The Japanese Grand Prix was led by Schumacher with only 16 laps to go, when, for the first time since the ], Schumacher's car suffered an engine failure. Alonso won the race, giving himself a ten-point championship lead. With only one race left in the season, Schumacher could only win the championship if he won the season finale and Alonso scored no points. | |||
From 2014 to {{F1|2021}}, Mercedes went on to win a record-breaking (of Schumacher's Ferrari from 1999 to 2004) eight Constructors' Championships under Hamilton, Rosberg, and ]. Ross Brawn said that "Michael's contribution to our development and the future of our team has been significant", and observed: "In my opinion, he is the greatest Formula One driver, and the records which he holds in our sport speak volumes for his success and commitment."<ref>{{Cite web|last=Goodwin|first=Ellis|date=28 December 2012|title=Top moments of 2012, #13: End of the Schumacher era, again|url=https://us.motorsport.com/f1/news/top-moments-of-2012-13-end-of-the-schumacher-era-again/2657313/|access-date=6 February 2024|website=Motorsport.com|archive-date=6 February 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240206034235/https://us.motorsport.com/f1/news/top-moments-of-2012-13-end-of-the-schumacher-era-again/2657313/|url-status=dead}}</ref> Brawn also stated that had Schumacher not retired in 2012 and not suffered a ski injury in 2013, he would have had a chance at winning his eighth World Championship in {{F1|2014}}.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Cooper |first=Sam |date=2 January 2024 |title=Michael Schumacher: Alternative F1 career timeline predicted without accident |url=https://www.planetf1.com/news/michael-schumacher-alternative-f1-career-timeline |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240208171545/https://www.planetf1.com/news/michael-schumacher-alternative-f1-career-timeline |archive-date=8 February 2024 |access-date=8 February 2024 |website=PlanetF1}}</ref> In 2023, Williams team principal ], who was Mercedes chief strategist during Schumacher's time at the team between 2010 and 2012 and was instrumental in the team's success in the mid-to-late 2010s, said that Schumacher brought Mercedes together. Vowles added: " also knew his performance was perhaps not quite at the same level, but he made up for it in terms of the amount of work and dedication he put in. From that, Nico learned a lot and conversely, Lewis learned a lot from Nico."<ref>{{Cite web |date=13 June 2023 |title=Michael Schumacher brought Mercedes together, says Williams F1 team principal James Vowles |url=https://www.skysports.com/f1/news/12433/12901784/michael-schumacher-brought-mercedes-together-says-williams-f1-team-principal-james-vowles |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240515210916/https://www.skysports.com/f1/news/12433/12901784/michael-schumacher-brought-mercedes-together-says-williams-f1-team-principal-james-vowles |archive-date=15 May 2024 |access-date=10 February 2024 |publisher=Sky Sports}}</ref> | |||
Before the {{F1 GP|2006|Brazilian}}, Schumacher conceded the title to Alonso.<ref>{{cite news | title = Schumacher concedes title to Alonso |publisher=BBC Sport |date=8 October 2006 | url = | accessdate =18 February 2009}}</ref> In pre-race ceremonies, ] legend ] presented a trophy<ref>{{cite news | title =Pele to present a trophy to Schumacher | work=International Herald Tribune |date=22 October 2006 | url = http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2006/10/20/sports/LA_SPT_CAR_F1_Brazilian_GP_Notebook.php | accessdate =1 August 2007}}</ref> to Schumacher for his years of dedication to Formula One.<ref>{{cite news | title = Schumacher honored by a presentation from Pele | work=International Herald Tribune |date=22 October 2006 | url = http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2006/10/22/sports/LA_SPT_CAR_F1_Schumachers_Finale.php | accessdate =1 August 2007}}</ref> During the race's qualifying session, Schumacher had one of the quickest times during the first session and was fastest in the second session; but a fuel pressure problem prevented him from completing a single lap during the third session, forcing him to start the race in tenth position.<ref>{{cite news | title = Schumacher suffers in qualifying |publisher=BBC Sport |date=21 October 2006 | url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/motorsport/formula_one/6073264.stm | accessdate =1 August 2007}}</ref> Early in the race Schumacher moved up to sixth place. However, in overtaking Alonso's teammate, ], Schumacher experienced a tyre puncture caused by the front wing of Fisichella's car.<ref>{{cite news | title = Fisi did cause Schu puncture | publisher=itv.com/f1 |date=23 October 2006 | url = http://www.itv-f1.com/News_Article.aspx?PO_ID=37856 | accessdate =23 October 2006}}</ref> Schumacher pitted and consequently fell to 19th place, 70 seconds behind teammate and race leader ]. Schumacher recovered and overtook both Fisichella and Räikkönen to secure fourth place. His performance was classified in the press as "heroic",<ref>{{cite news | title = Superb Schumi signs off in style |publisher=BBC Sport |date=22 October 2006 | url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/motorsport/formula_one/6075782.stm | accessdate =3 November 2006}}</ref> an "utterly breath-taking drive",<ref>{{cite news | title = Brazil: Alonso takes championship, but Michael steals the show | publisher=ManipeF1 |date=22 October 2006 | url = http://www.manipef1.com/news/2006/index.php?id=1744 | accessdate =3 November 2006}}</ref> and a "performance that ... sums up his career".<ref>{{cite news | title = 2006 Brazil Grand Prix Report | publisher=PitPass | url = http://www.pitpass.com/src/seasons/2006/gp/brazil/report/result.php | accessdate =3 November 2006}}</ref> | |||
==Driver profile and legacy== | |||
=== 2007–2009: First retirement === | |||
] worked together in sports cars prior to entering F1 in 1992]] | |||
=== Profile === | |||
While Schumacher was on the podium after winning the ], Ferrari issued a press release stating that he would retire from racing at the end of the 2006 season.<ref name="press release">{{cite press release | title =Michael Schumacher will retire from race driving at the end of the 2006 World Championship. | publisher=Ferrari S.p.A. |date=10 September 2006 | url =http://www.ferrariworld.com/events/ms/pdf/monza01_en.pdf | accessdate =24 October 2006|format=PDF}}</ref> Schumacher confirmed his retirement.<ref name="retirement" /> The press release stated that Schumacher would continue working for Ferrari. It was revealed on 29 October 2006 that Ferrari wanted Schumacher to act as assistant to the newly appointed CEO ].<ref name="newrole">{{cite news | title = New role for Schumacher at Ferrari? | publisher=PitPass |date=29 October 2006 | url = http://www.pitpass.com/fes_php/pitpass_news_item.php?fes_art_id=29851 | accessdate =29 October 2006}}</ref> This would involve selecting the team's future drivers. After Schumacher's announcement, leading Formula One figures such as ] and ] hailed Schumacher as the greatest all-round racing driver in the history of Formula One.<ref>{{cite news| title=Tributes to Schumi | url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/motorsport/formula_one/6075194.stm |publisher=BBC Sport |date=22 October 2006 | accessdate =24 October 2006}}</ref> The tifosi and the Italian press, who did not always take to Schumacher's relatively cold public persona, displayed an affectionate response after he announced his retirement.<ref name="schumacher retirement responses3">{{cite news |first = Simon |last = Evans |title = Italy shows gratitude to Schumacher |url = http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/54449 |work=Autosport |date=11 September 2006 |accessdate =12 September 2006}}</ref> | |||
{{quote box|quote="No one will ever be greater than Schumi. Michael has shaped a generation like no other, he is iconic."|source=] about Schumacher<ref>{{Cite web|last1=Kollmar|first1=Tom|last2=Milewski|first2=Michel|last3=Rulle|first3=Silja|date=11 December 2021|title=Niemand wird je größer als Schumi sein|trans-title=Nobody will ever be greater than Schumi|url=https://www.bild.de/sport/motorsport/motorsport/formel-1-mercedes-boss-wolff-niemand-wird-je-groesser-als-schumi-sein-78508000.bild.html|access-date=12 December 2021|website=Bild|language=de|archive-date=27 July 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220727104258/https://www.bild.de/sport/motorsport/motorsport/formel-1-mercedes-boss-wolff-niemand-wird-je-groesser-als-schumi-sein-78508000.bild.html}}</ref>|width=23%|align=right}} | |||
] | |||
Schumacher was noted throughout his career for his speed and racecraft,<ref name="Autosport 2009">{{Cite web|date=10 December 2009|title=Formula 1's Greatest Drivers: 2. Michael Schumacher<!--Formula 1's Greatest Drivers – Michael Schumacher-->|url=http://f1greatestdrivers.autosport.com/?driver=2|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140326095659/http://f1greatestdrivers.autosport.com/?driver=2|archive-date=26 March 2014|access-date=10 February 2024|website=]}}</ref> and his ability to produce fast laps at crucial moments in a race and to push his car to the very limit for sustained periods.<ref name="Auto Racing 2007">{{Cite web|year=2007|title=Michael Schumacher – Master of the F1 Circuit|url=http://www.autoracing.com/formula-1/drivers/michael-schumacher/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070821031629/http://www.autoracing.com/formula-1/drivers/michael-schumacher/|archive-date=21 August 2007|access-date=12 July 2007|website=Auto Racing}}</ref><ref name="Foster 2024">{{Cite web|last=Foster|first=Michelle|date=3 January 2024|title=Michael Schumacher's 10 iconic Formula 1 grand prix victories|url=https://www.planetf1.com/features/michael-schumacher-top-ten-iconic-wins|access-date=10 February 2024|website=PlanetF1|archive-date=28 February 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240228065938/https://www.planetf1.com/features/michael-schumacher-top-ten-iconic-wins|url-status=live}}</ref> He was also noted for his work ethic, pioneering fitness regimen, and ability to galvanise teams around him.<ref name="Autosport 2009"/><ref>{{Cite book|last=Hamilton|first=Maurice|title=Formula One: The Champions: 70 years of legendary F1 drivers|publisher=White Lion Publishing|year=2020|isbn=9781781319468|pages=166–175}}</ref> In 2004, '']'' magazine described Schumacher as "the ultimate driving machine" and "the most dominant athlete in the world" due to him having become "quicker, stronger, and fitter than the competition by outworking them in the weight room".<ref name="Schulz 2004">{{Cite web|last=Schulz|first=Nick|date=23 June 2004|title=The Ultimate Driving Machine|url=https://slate.com/culture/2004/06/how-michael-schumacher-dominates-formula-1.html|access-date=17 July 2023|website=Slate|archive-date=17 July 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230717111419/https://slate.com/culture/2004/06/how-michael-schumacher-dominates-formula-1.html|url-status=live}}</ref> The magazine also stated that Schumacher changed the sport as he set a new benchmark for other drivers and built the team and technologies around him.<ref name="Schulz 2004"/><ref>{{Cite web|year=2023|title=Michael Schumacher <!--| F1 Legend | F1 Champion-->|url=https://www.gpdynamics.org/f1-drivers/f1-legends/michael-schumacher|access-date=8 February 2024|website=Grand Prix Dynamics|archive-date=8 February 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240208050220/https://www.gpdynamics.org/f1-drivers/f1-legends/michael-schumacher|url-status=dead}}</ref> Schumacher exercised four hours a day, mostly to strengthen his neck muscles to better withstand ]s during races.<ref name="Deutsche Welle 2003">{{Cite web|date=30 September 2003|title=Michael Schumacher – From Go-Carts to Grand Prix|url=https://www.dw.com/en/michael-schumacher-from-go-carts-to-grand-prix/a-982222|access-date=17 July 2023|publisher=Deutsche Welle|archive-date=17 July 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230717111419/https://www.dw.com/en/michael-schumacher-from-go-carts-to-grand-prix/a-982222|url-status=live}}</ref> After his gym session, he would often head to the race track for testing.<ref name="Deutsche Welle 2003"/> In 2003, ] highlighted Schumacher's "natural talent" for racing and his "discipline and leadership".<ref name="Deutsche Welle 2003"/> In 2023, former Formula One rival Giancarlo Fisichella observed that Schumacher "did not even seem to have sweated" during races, adding that Schumacher is the greatest Formula One driver of all time and "rewrote the history of Formula One".<ref>{{Cite web|last=Hodge|first=Stuart|date=18 January 2023|title=Schumacher 'never even sweated' during F1 races|url=https://www.gpfans.com/en/f1-news/99680/michael-schumacher-giancarlo-fisichella-f1/|access-date=14 August 2023|website=GPFans.com|archive-date=14 August 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230814201612/https://www.gpfans.com/en/f1-news/99680/michael-schumacher-giancarlo-fisichella-f1/|url-status=live}}</ref> | |||
In 2003, '']'' magazine analysed Schumacher's driving style using telemetry data.<ref name="Hust 2003">{{Cite web|last=Hust|first=Fabian|date=30 August 2003|title=Schumacher: Beeindruckende Analyse seiner Fahrkunst|trans-title=Schumacher: Impressive analysis of his driving skills|url=https://www.motorsport-total.com/formel-1/news/schumacher-beeindruckende-analyse-seiner-fahrkunst-03083006|access-date=17 July 2023|website=Motorsport-Total.com|language=de|archive-date=17 July 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230717111420/https://www.motorsport-total.com/formel-1/news/schumacher-beeindruckende-analyse-seiner-fahrkunst-03083006|url-status=live}}</ref> It was observed that Schumacher was very sensitive and flexible on the gas and brakes. Compared with his Ferrari teammate Rubens Barrichello, who often either braked or accelerated in a corner, Schumacher usually braked later into a corner and stabilised his car by accelerating slightly, often using both the brake and accelerator pedals at the same time. Exiting a corner, Schumacher accelerated considerably and balanced his car by braking lightly. ] talked about being in awe upon seeing Schumacher's telemetry showing he took turn one on full throttle at the ]. With his driving style, Schumacher also went 25 km/h faster through the ] of Suzuka compared to Barrichello, who lost 0.3 seconds to Schumacher in this corner.<ref name="Hust 2003"/> It was also observed that when needed, such as when the brakes started to overheat, Schumacher adapted his driving style to protect the brakes.<ref name="Hust 2003"/> | |||
==== 2007: Advisor at Ferrari ==== | |||
He attended several Grands Prix during the season. Schumacher drove the ] for the first time on 24 October at Ferrari's home track in ], Italy. He ran no more than five laps and no lap times were recorded. A Ferrari spokesman said the short drive was done for the Fiat board of directors who were holding their meeting in ].<ref>{{cite news | first = Biranit | last = Goren | coauthors = Lostia, Michele | title = Schumacher in the F2007 for the first time | url = http://www.autosport.com/news/grapevine.php/id/59831 | work=] | publisher=] | accessdate =31 January 2009 | date = 25 October 2007}}</ref> | |||
''Motor Sport'' author Christopher Hilton observed in 2003 that a "measure of a driver's capabilities is his performance in wet races, because the most delicate car control and sensitivity are needed", and commented that, like other great drivers, Schumacher's record in wet conditions shows very few mistakes; up to the end of 2003, Schumacher won 17 of the 30 races in wet conditions he contested.<ref name="Hilton 2003, pp. 131–132">{{Cite book|last=Hilton|first=Christopher|title=Michael Schumacher: The greatest of all|publisher=Haynes|year=2003|isbn=978-1-84425-044-8|pages=131–132|postscript=. Hilton defined a race in wet conditions as "all races where it rained – even if that was a shower".}}</ref> Some of Schumacher's best performances occurred in such conditions, earning him the nicknames ''Regenkönig'' ("Rain King"),<ref>{{Cite web|last=Hardcastle|first=Jonathon|title=Michael Schumacher|url=http://www.artwoo.com/article/michael-schumacher|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070927204445/http://www.artwoo.com/article/michael-schumacher|archive-date=27 September 2007|access-date=12 July 2007}}</ref> or ''Regenmeister'' ("Rain Master"),<ref name="Auto Racing 2007"/> even in the non-German-language media. He is further known as "the Red Baron" because of his red Ferrari and in reference to the German ], the famous ] of the First World War. Schumacher's nicknames also include "Schumi",<ref>{{Cite news|date=21 October 2006|title=Alonso ahead of Schumi|publisher=News24|url=http://www.news24.com/News24/Sport/More_Sport/0,9294,2-9-32_2018131,00.html|access-date=22 October 2006|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070930205306/http://www.news24.com/News24/Sport/More_Sport/0%2C9294%2C2-9-32_2018131%2C00.html|archive-date=30 September 2007}}</ref> "Schuey",<ref>{{Cite news|last=Tremayne|first=David|date=22 October 2006|title=Schuey exit promises many twists and turns|work=The Independent|location=UK|url=http://sport.independent.co.uk/motor_racing/article1919061.ece|access-date=22 October 2006|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070930182154/http://sport.independent.co.uk/motor_racing/article1919061.ece|archive-date=30 September 2007}}</ref> and "Schu".<ref>{{Cite news|date=11 October 2006|title=Schu brought down to earth|publisher=ITV|url=http://www.itv-f1.com/News_Article.aspx?PO_ID=37706&PO=37706|access-date=14 October 2006|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070929092158/http://www.itv-f1.com/News_Article.aspx?PO_ID=37706&PO=37706|archive-date=29 September 2007}}</ref> | |||
] | |||
During the {{F1|2007}} season Schumacher acted as Ferrari's advisor and Jean Todt's 'super assistant'.<ref>{{cite news | |||
| title = Schumacher to help Ferrari select drivers | |||
| work=Autosport | |||
| date = 29 October 2007 | |||
| url = http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/55462 | |||
| accessdate =30 November 2007}}</ref> | |||
On 13 November 2007 Schumacher, who had not driven a Formula One car since he had retired a year earlier, undertook a formal test session for the first time aboard the F2007. He returned in December 2007 to continue helping Ferrari with their development program at ]. He focused on testing electronics and tyres for the 2008 Formula One season. | |||
Schumacher was noted for beating all his teammates during his Formula One career,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Woodhouse |first=Jamie |date=2 October 2020 |title=Michael Schumacher beat all team-mates, unlike Lewis Hamilton |url=https://www.planetf1.com/news/fernando-alonso-michael-schumacher-lewis-hamilton |access-date=9 February 2024 |website=PlanetF1}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Gretton |first=Matt |date=18 January 2021 |title=Formula 1 legends against their teammates: who has the best score? |url=https://www.gpblog.com/en/news/76710/formula-1-legends-against-their-teammates-who-has-the-best-score.html |access-date=9 February 2024 |website=GPblog.com}}</ref><!--https://www.racingyears.com/vs-mates/Michael%2520Schumacher--> except for his not-fully debut season against three-time World Champion Nelson Piquet, once for 1999 World Championship runner-up Eddie Irvine due to missing six races after a leg injury, and future 2016 World Champion Nico Rosberg when he was in his 40s. Schumacher was also noted for outperforming his cars and for his ability to operate at his peak on every lap,<ref>{{Cite news |date=23 October 2012 |title=Formula 1's greatest drivers. Number 4: Michael Schumacher |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/formula1/19998444 |access-date=8 February 2024 |publisher=BBC Sport}}</ref> having won significant more races than he had either pole positions or fastest laps. Apart from dominating the 1995, 2001, 2002, and 2004 World Championships (with 2002 and 2004 being the sole years where he drove the clear-cut fastest car as Barrichello was the runner-up both years), he won the competitive 2003 World Championship and either won (three times) or narrowly missed (two times) World Championships despite arguably driving an inferior car (1994, 1995, 1997, 1998, and 2000), and arguably would have won in 1999 had it been for the injury,<ref name="RaceFans 2006" /> as the performance gap from McLaren was far smaller than in 1998.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Glendenning |first=Mark |year=1999 |title=Season 1999 Mid-Term Report |url=https://atlasf1.autosport.com/99/bri/glendenning.html |access-date=8 February 2024 |website=Atlas F1}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Glendenning |first=Mark |year=1999 |title=The Season 1999 End of Term Report |url=https://atlasf1.autosport.com/99/nov17/glendenning.html |access-date=8 February 2024 |website=Atlas F1}}</ref> Since the 1994 death of Senna, Schumacher was widely regarded as the fastest driver in Formula One and the most dominant driver of his era. During his long career, Schumacher was also involved in several controversies,<ref name="Autosport 2009" /> most notability the 1994 and 1997 World Championship seasons finals and the 2006 Monaco qualifying. These episodes have been seen as a result of Schumacher's will-to-win mentality.<ref name="Benson 2006" /><ref name="Historic Racing 2007" /> In 2020, Martin Brundle commented: "The make-up of a champion is one of such inner self-belief that occasionally it shows up as flaws. The majority of the sporting greats I've met drive themselves forwards because they are always dissatisfied. But look at what Michael achieved, the speed at which he achieved it, and what he accomplished at two different teams. It's so hard to get to F1, to stay in it, to score podiums, and win races. And that guy won 91 of them, some of them in a class of one."<ref>{{Cite web |last=Barlow |first=Jason |date=6 April 2020 |title=Here are the 10 best ever Formula 1 drivers |url=https://www.topgear.com/car-news/formula-one/here-are-10-best-ever-formula-1-drivers#5 |url-status= |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200407224931/https://www.topgear.com/car-news/formula-one/here-are-10-best-ever-formula-1-drivers#5 |archive-date=7 April 2020 |access-date=8 February 2024 |website=Top Gear}}</ref> | |||
==== 2008: Car development ==== | |||
In 2007, former Ferrari top manager Ross Brawn said that Schumacher was very likely and also happy to continue testing in 2008 Schumacher later explained his role further saying that he would "deal with the development of the car inside Gestione Sportiva" and as part of that "I'd like to drive, but not too often.".<ref>{{cite web | title = Schumi in charge of developing cars | work=] via f1technical.net | date = 11 January 2008 | url = http://www.f1technical.net/news/7958?sid=46d7fcb4610cac76f4d809a27d741051 | accessdate =11 January 2008}}</ref> | |||
In a 2006 ] survey, Schumacher was voted the most popular driver of the season among Formula One fans.<ref>{{Cite news |date=27 September 2006 |title=Schumacher tops F1 supporter poll |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/motorsport/formula_one/5384692.stm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060928153827/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/motorsport/formula_one/5384692.stm |archive-date=28 September 2006 |access-date=25 October 2006 |publisher=BBC Sport}}</ref> Schumacher was subject to ] throughout his career, however, especially from the ].<ref name="Howell 2003" /><ref>{{Cite web |date=4 January 2024 |title=Remembering Michael Schumacher's first F1 world title {{!}} GRR |url=https://www.goodwood.com/grr/f1/remembering-michael-schumachers-first-f1-world-title/ |access-date=10 February 2024 |website=Goodwood}}</ref> About his collision with Schumacher in 1994, British driver Damon Hill wrote: "There are two things that set Michael apart from the rest of the drivers in Formula One − his sheer talent and his attitude. I am full of admiration for the former, but the latter leaves me cold."<ref name="Benson 2006" /> In addition to Hill, Schumacher also had rivalries with Mika Häkkinen, whom he beat for his first World Championship at Ferrari and the team's first Drivers' Championship since the {{F1|1979}} season, and Fernando Alonso, who ended Schumacher's five-consecutive titles in the 2000s. Despite only facing him during Schumacher's brief comeback in the 2010s, Lewis Hamilton is also seen a rival due to their similar achievements and driving styles, and cited Schumacher as an inspiration.<ref>{{Cite web |date=7 April 2023 |title=The Legend of Michael Schumacher: A Story of Triumph, Challenges, and Legacy |url=https://www.theduochronicles.com/the-legend-of-michael-schumacher-a-story-of-triumph-challenges-and-legacy/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230521115935/https://www.theduochronicles.com/the-legend-of-michael-schumacher-a-story-of-triumph-challenges-and-legacy/ |archive-date=21 May 2023 |access-date=10 February 2024 |website=The Duo Chronicles}}</ref> | |||
During 2008 Schumacher also competed in ] in the ]-series, but stated that he had no intention of a second competitive career in this sport.<ref>''Schumacher slips up in Superbike race'' . Retrieved 5 July 2008.</ref> He was quoted as saying that riding a Ducati was the most exhilarating thing he had done in his life, the second most being sky diving.<ref>Motorcycle Sport and leisure magazine, Nov 2008 (interview with Randy Mamola)</ref> | |||
=== Helmet === | |||
==== 2009: Planned substitution for injured Massa ==== | |||
Schumacher, in conjunction with ], helped develop the first lightweight carbon fibre reinforced polymer helmet. In 2004, a prototype was publicly tested by being driven over by a ]; it survived intact.<ref>{{Cite news|title=Even a tank can't halt schu now|publisher=JEC Composites|url=http://www.jeccomposites.com/composites-news/682/Even-a-tank.html|access-date=8 November 2006|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070108220644/http://www.jeccomposites.com/composites-news/682/Even-a-tank.html|archive-date=8 January 2007}}</ref> The helmet kept the driver cool by funneling directed airflow through fifty holes.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Michael Schumacher Helmet Profile|url=http://www.theprancinghorse.co.uk/news/newsfeatures/1.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061230064118/http://www.theprancinghorse.co.uk/news/newsfeatures/1.html|archive-date=30 December 2006|access-date=10 February 2007|publisher=theprancinghorse.co.uk}}</ref> Schumacher's original helmet sported the colours of the ] and his sponsor's decals. On the top was a blue circle with white ]s.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Gallery: Michael Schumacher's F1 helmets|website=Motorsport.com|url=https://www.motorsport.com/f1/news/gallery-michael-schumacher-s-f1-helmets-939422/|access-date=22 March 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180323160204/https://www.motorsport.com/f1/news/gallery-michael-schumacher-s-f1-helmets-939422/|archive-date=23 March 2018}}</ref> From the ], in order to differentiate his colours from his new teammate ]—whose helmet was predominantly white with a blue circle on top and a red ellipsis surrounding the visor—Schumacher changed the upper blue colour and some of the white areas to red.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Michael Schumacher Biography|url=http://www.mschumacher.com/biography.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061025010900/http://www.mschumacher.com/biography.html|archive-date=25 October 2006|access-date=25 October 2006|website=MSchumacher.com}}</ref> For the 2006 Brazilian Grand Prix, he wore an all-red helmet that included the names of his ninety-one Grand Prix victories.<ref>{{Cite news|date=21 October 2006|title=Michael's winning helmet|publisher=PitPass|url=http://www.pitpass.com/fes_php/pitpass_news_item.php?fes_art_id=29768|access-date=7 November 2006|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070926234541/http://www.pitpass.com/fes_php/pitpass_news_item.php?fes_art_id=29768|archive-date=26 September 2007}}</ref> At the 2011 Belgian Grand Prix, Schumacher's 20th anniversary in Formula One, he wore a commemorative gold-leafed helmet, which included the year of his debut and the seasons of his seven Drivers' titles.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Noble|first=Jonathan|date=29 August 2011|title=Behind the scenes at Spa|work=]|url=http://plus.autosport.com/free/feature/3825/behind-the-scenes-at-spa/|access-date=30 August 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111012210459/http://plus.autosport.com/free/feature/3825/behind-the-scenes-at-spa|archive-date=12 October 2011|quote=Helmet supplier Schuberth provided him with a special 21-carat gold plated helmet, which he wore as a special one-off for the weekend.}}</ref> During his 300th Grand Prix appearance at the 2012 Belgian Grand Prix, Schumacher wore a platinum-leafed helmet with a message of his achievement.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Michael Schumacher 2012 300TH GP Commemorative F1 Replic|url=https://www.cmhelmets.com/product/michael-schumacher-commemorative-2012-300th-gp-belgium-f1-replica-helmet-full-size/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171201043620/https://www.cmhelmets.com/product/michael-schumacher-commemorative-2012-300th-gp-belgium-f1-replica-helmet-full-size/|archive-date=1 December 2017|website=CM Helmets}}</ref> | |||
In his capacity as racing advisor to Ferrari, Schumacher was present in ] for the {{F1 GP|2009|Hungarian}} when Ferrari driver ] was seriously injured after being struck by a suspension spring during qualifying. As it became clear that Massa would be unable to compete in the next race at ] Schumacher was chosen as a replacement for the Brazilian driver<ref>{{cite web | title = Manager rules out Schumi F1 return | publisher=F1 ] | date = 28 July 2009 | url = http://www.itv-f1.com/News_Article.aspx?id=46506 | accessdate =29 July 2009}}</ref> and on 29 July 2009, Ferrari announced that they planned to draft in Schumacher for the {{F1 GP|2009|European}} and subsequent Grands Prix until Massa was able to race again.<ref name="2009_comeback">{{cite web|url=http://www.michaelschumacher.de/?page=news&story_id=82078&lang=uk |title=Michael happy to help |publisher=Michael Schumacher – Official Website |accessdate=8 August 2009}}</ref> Schumacher tested in a modified F2007 to prepare himself<ref>{{cite news|url=http://globoesporte.globo.com/Esportes/Noticias/Formula_1/0,,MUL1248620-15011,00.html|title=Lealdade custa caro: Schumi ganhará cerca de R$ 8,5 milhões por corrida|publisher=]|date=29 July 2009|accessdate=30 July 2009|language=Portuguese}}</ref> as he had been unable to test the ] due to testing restrictions. Ferrari appealed for special permission for Schumacher to test in a 2009 spec car but ], ] and ] were against this test.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gpupdate.net/en/f1-news/217204/williams-against-schumacher-ferrari-test/ |title=Williams against Schumacher Ferrari test |publisher=GPUpdate.net |date=3 August 2009 |accessdate=1 February 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gpupdate.net/en/f1-news/217220/red-bull-echoes-williams-ferrari-sentiments/ |title=Red Bull echoes Williams' Ferrari sentiments |publisher=GPUpdate.net |date=4 August 2009 |accessdate=1 February 2011}}</ref> Schumacher was forced to call off his return due to the severity of the neck injury he had received in a motorcycle accident earlier in the year.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.carthusiast.com/schumacher-cancels-f1-return-2056.html |title=Schumacher cancels F1 return |publisher=carthuasiast.com |accessdate=12 August 2009}}</ref> Massa's place at Ferrari was instead filled by ] and ]. | |||
<gallery mode="packed" heights="200"> | |||
=== Mercedes (2010–2012) === | |||
File:Schumi 1994 Helmet.jpg|Helmet for the {{F1|1994}} season (]); Schumacher used the ] helmet for nine years in Formula One, from the {{F1 GP|1992|Canadian}} to the {{F1 GP|2001|Australian}}. | |||
In December 2009 it was announced that Schumacher would be returning to Formula One in the {{F1|2010}} season alongside fellow German driver ] in the new ] team.<ref name = SchuMerc>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/motorsport/formula_one/8427552.stm |title=Michael Schumacher signs up for F1 return with Mercedes|date=23 December 2009|publisher=BBC Sport |accessdate=23 December 2009}}</ref> The new Mercedes team was their first majority involvement in an F1 team since 1955. Schumacher stated that his preparations to replace the injured Massa for Ferrari had initiated a renewed interest in F1 which, combined with the opportunity to fulfil a long-held ambition to drive for Mercedes and to be working again with team principal Ross Brawn, led Schumacher to accept the offer once he was passed fit.<ref name = SchuMerc/><ref>{{cite web | url =http://www.theroar.com.au/2009/12/24/schumacher-returns-for-a-legacy-or-misery/ | title = Schumacher returns for a legacy or misery | last=Musolino | first=Adrian | date =24 December 2009| work=The Roar| accessdate =24 December 2009}}</ref> After a period of intensive training medical tests, it was confirmed that the neck injury that had prevented him driving for Ferrari the year before had fully healed.<ref name = SchuMerc/> Schumacher signed a three-year contract, reportedly worth £20m.<ref name = SchuMerc/> | |||
File:Michael Schumacher 1995 helmet 2015 Grand Prix Museum.jpg|Bell helmet for the {{F1|1995}} season (Benetton); Schumacher kept using this white-coloured helmet after moving to ] in {{F1|1996}} until he switched its colour to red at the {{F1 GP|2000|Monaco}}. | |||
File:Michael Schumacher helmet Museo Ferrari.jpg|Schuberth helmet for the {{F1|2002}} season (Ferrari); at the {{F1 GP|2001|Malaysian}}, Schumacher switched his helmet from Bell to ], although there was a contract with Bell for the {{F1|2001}} season. From the 2001 season, Schumacher continued to use the Schuberth helmet until his last race in Formula One. | |||
File:Michael Schumacher helmet.jpg|Schuberth helmet at the ] with the ] logo, which sometimes had to be removed in countries where tobacco advertising was illegal. | |||
File:Schumacher 2011 helmet.jpg|Schuberth helmet for the {{F1|2011}} season (]); Schumacher kept using a red-coloured helmet at ]. ] illustration and a ] (], which stands for "power") are inscribed on the back of the helmet. | |||
</gallery> | |||
=== Legacy === | |||
Schumacher's surprise return to F1 was compared to ]'s in 1982 aged 33 and ]'s return in 1994 at age 41. Schumacher turned 41 in January 2010 and his prospects with Mercedes were compared with the record set by the oldest F1 champion ] who was 46 when he won his fifth championship.<ref name = SchuMerc/> | |||
] | |||
Schumacher's career spanned three decades and left a lasting impact on the sport, Formula One in particular but also motorsport as a whole, and his influence extended beyond his own racing career;<ref name="Walfisz 2023" /> in 2020, he was voted the most influential person in Formula One history.<ref>{{Cite web |date=13 May 2020 |title=Michael Schumacher named Most Influential Person in F1 History after fan vote |url=https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/article.winner-revealed-who-you-voted-as-the-most-influential-person-in-f1-history.1pwZWXyGUuXUhxh3TBTwah.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210204195041/https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/article.winner-revealed-who-you-voted-as-the-most-influential-person-in-f1-history.1pwZWXyGUuXUhxh3TBTwah.html |archive-date=4 February 2021 |access-date=1 February 2021 |publisher=Formula One}}</ref> During a large part of his Formula One career, Schumacher was the president of the ],<ref>{{Cite news |date=9 June 2006 |title=Schumacher retains GPDA position |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/motorsport/formula_one/5066186.stm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101202071129/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/motorsport/formula_one/5066186.stm |archive-date=2 December 2010 |access-date=30 November 2007 |publisher=BBC Sport}}</ref> a representative body originally set up in 1961 that had been disbanded in 1982 and Schumacher had helped to relaunch in 1994.<ref name="Gibson 2016" /> Schumacher has also often been credited with popularising Formula One worldwide, especially in Germany, where it was formerly considered a fringe sport.<ref name="Goren 2001" /><ref name="Sapa 2006" /> When Schumacher first retired in 2006, three of the top ten drivers in that year's Drivers' standings were German, more than any other nationality. Younger German drivers, such as Sebastian Vettel, felt Schumacher was key in them becoming Formula One drivers.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Noble |first=Jonathan |date=25 September 2006 |title=Vettel sorry to see 'idol' Schumacher go |url=http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/54667 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070930211714/http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/54667 |archive-date=30 September 2007 |access-date=31 October 2006 |work=Autosport}}</ref> Schumacher was also credited for turning Ferrari into Formula One's most successful team; multi-time World Champion ] believed the transformation of the Ferrari team was Schumacher's greatest feat.<ref name=BBCOct2006 /> | |||
By the time of his first retirement in 2006 and his final retirement in 2012, Schumacher was widely considered among the greatest Formula One drivers,<ref>{{Cite news |date=18 October 2006 |title=Is Schumacher the greatest driver of all time? |url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2006/oct/18/formulaone.comment |access-date=8 February 2024 |work=The Guardian |issn=0261-3077}}</ref><ref name="Eichenberger & Stadelmann 2009">{{Cite journal|last1=Eichenberger|first1=Reiner|last2=Stadelmann|first2=David|date=December 2009|title=Who Is The Best Formula 1 Driver? An Economic Approach to Evaluating Talent|url=https://www.unifr.ch/finwiss/de/assets/public/research/academic%20publications/Who%20ist%20the%20best%20formula%201%20driver.pdf|journal=Economic Analysis & Policy|volume=39|issue=3|pages=389–406|doi=10.1016/S0313-5926(09)50035-5|access-date=10 February 2024|publisher=University of Fribourg|issn=0313-5926}}</ref><ref name="ABCgreatest" /> a trend that continued into the 2020s.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Longman|first=Will|date=6 November 2023|title=10 greatest Formula 1 drivers in history|url=https://motorsporttickets.com/blog/10-greatest-formula-1-drivers-in-history/|access-date=8 February 2024|website=Motorsport Tickets Blog}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last1=Gaines|first1=Cork|last2=Thawaranont|first2=Chay|date=21 July 2023|title=Who is the greatest Formula 1 driver of all time?|url=https://insider.com/who-is-the-greatest-formula-1-driver-of-all-time|access-date=8 February 2024|website=Insider}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Ostly|first=Ayrton|date=3 January 2024|title=Top three races of Michael Schumacher's career on legend's 55th birthday|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/motorsports/2024/01/03/michael-schumachers-best-wins-formula-one-health-news/72100502007/|access-date=8 February 2024|website=USA Today}}</ref> Several commentators and drivers, including among others multi-time World Champions Niki Lauda and Sebastian Vettel,<ref name="BBC Sport 2006">{{Cite news |date=22 October 2006 |title=Tributes to Schumi |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/motorsport/formula_one/6075194.stm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090802024407/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/motorsport/formula_one/6075194.stm |archive-date=2 August 2009 |access-date=24 October 2006 |publisher=BBC Sport}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Mann-Bryans|first=Mark|date=9 December 2021|title=Michael Schumacher will always be greatest F1 driver, Sebastian Vettel claims|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/f1/michael-schumacher-sebastian-vettel-lewis-hamilton-fernando-alonso-max-verstappen-b1973011.html|access-date=8 February 2024|website=The Independent}}</ref> former rival David Coulthard,<ref>{{Cite news|date=22 October 2006|title=Schumacher hailed as 'greatest'|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/motorsport/formula_one/6075050.stm|access-date=8 February 2024|publisher=BBC Sport}}</ref> former Formula One driver Giancarlo Fisichella,<ref>{{Cite web|last=Mee|first=Lydia|date=21 January 2023|title=Michael Schumacher Is The Greatest Driver in History According To Former Driver|url=https://www.si.com/fannation/racing/f1briefings/news/f1-news-michael-schumacher-is-the-greatest-driver-in-history-according-to-former-driver-lm22|access-date=8 February 2024|website=Sport Illustrated<!--F1 Briefings: Formula 1 News, Rumors, Standings and More-->}}</ref> and Mercedes team bosses Ross Brawn and Toto Wolff,<ref>{{Cite news|date=4 October 2012|title=Michael Schumacher is best driver this century – Ross Brawn|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/formula1/19828440|access-date=8 February 2024|publisher=BBC Sport}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Crebolder|first=Finley|date=12 December 2021|title=Toto Wolff: Nobody will ever be greater than Michael Schumacher|url=https://www.planetf1.com/news/toto-wolff-michael-schumacher-greatest|access-date=8 February 2024|website=PlanetF1}}</ref> have at times described him as the greatest of all time.<ref name="Gibson 2016" /> Schumacher has been described as statistically the most successful driver in Formula One history and the most complete Formula One driver ever.<ref>{{Cite web |last=McCarthy |first=Dan |date=27 February 2023 |title=Best F1 drivers of all time ranked |url=https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/sport/formula-1/best-f1-drivers-all-time/ |access-date=8 February 2024 |website=Radio Times}}</ref><ref name="Autosport 2009" /> Objective ]s,<ref name="Eichenberger & Stadelmann 2009" /><ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Bell |first1=Andrew |last2=Jones |first2=Kelvyn |last3=Sabel |first3=Clive E. |last4=Smith |first4=James |date=1 June 2016 |title=Formula for success: Multilevel modelling of Formula One Driver and Constructor performance, 1950–2014 |url=https://www.researchgate.net/publication/274080402_Formula_for_success_Multilevel_modelling_of_Formula_One_Driver_and_Constructor_performance_1950-2014<!--https://www.degruyter.com/document/doi/10.1515/jqas-2015-0050/html--> |journal=Journal of Quantitative Analysis in Sports |volume=12 |issue=2 |pages=99–112 |doi=10.1515/jqas-2015-0050 |issn=1559-0410 |access-date=10 February 2024 |via=ResearchGate |hdl-access=free |hdl=1983/dd66908d-255b-47ec-94f1-e5e7acfeca49}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Paine |first=Neil |date=27 July 2018 |title=The Best Formula One Driver Might Be A Guy Who Hasn't Won Since 2013 |url=https://fivethirtyeight.com/features/the-best-formula-one-driver-might-be-a-guy-who-hasnt-won-since-2013/ |access-date=10 February 2024 |website=FiveThirtyEight}}</ref> such as Eichenberger and Stadelmann (2009, 3rd), original F1metrics (2014, 4th),<ref>{{Cite web |date=26 November 2014 |title=2014 model-based driver rankings |url=https://f1metrics.wordpress.com/2014/11/26/2014-model-based-driver-rankings/ |access-date=10 February 2024 |website=F1metrics}}</ref> Bell ''et al.'' (2015, 3rd), '']'' (2018, 2nd), and updated F1metrics (2019, 1st), put Schumacher consistenly among the top 5 greatest Formula One drivers ever.<ref>{{Cite web |date=18 July 2014 |title=Who was the greatest F1 driver? |url=https://f1metrics.wordpress.com/2014/07/18/who-was-the-greatest-f1-driver/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240214162224/https://f1metrics.wordpress.com/2014/07/18/who-was-the-greatest-f1-driver/ |archive-date=14 February 2024 |access-date=14 February 2024 |website=F1metrics}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Moore |first=Justin |date=25 May 2018 |title=Who's The Best Formula One Driver of All Time? |url=https://fivethirtyeight.com/features/formula-one-racing/ |access-date=10 February 2024 |website=FiveThirtyEight}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=22 November 2019 |title=The f1metrics top 100 |url=https://f1metrics.wordpress.com/2019/11/22/the-f1metrics-top-100/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240209235350/https://f1metrics.wordpress.com/2019/11/22/the-f1metrics-top-100/ |archive-date=9 February 2024 |access-date=10 February 2024 |website=F1metrics}}</ref> By 2004, Schumacher came to hold most major Formula One records, and by 2006, his name was inscribed in almost all of Formula One's record books, including for most World Championships (7), most wins (91), most podiums (155), most pole positions (68), and most fastest laps (77),<ref name="Jeffries 2023" /> the latter a record he still holds. Although several of his records were later equalled or beaten, such as the most wins in a season at 13 (a record he first broke in 1995 and then equalled in 2000 and 2001, and further improved in 2002 and 2004), others remain his, such as his 100 percent podium finish in 2002 (17),<ref>{{Cite web|last=Morland|first=Greg|date=19 June 2013|title=Top ten: Unbeatable Formula One records|url=https://www.racefans.net/2013/06/19/top-ten-unbeatable-formula-one-records/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210411011800/https://www.racefans.net/2013/06/19/top-ten-unbeatable-formula-one-records/|url-status=dead|archive-date=11 April 2021|access-date=8 February 2024|website=RaceFans}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Elson|first=James|date=21 July 2021|title=2002: the year Michael Schumacher described as 'perfect'|url=https://www.motorsportmagazine.com/articles/single-seaters/f1/2002-the-year-michael-schumacher-described-as-perfect/|access-date=8 February 2024|website=Motor Sport}}</ref> which included eleven wins, five second places, and one third place.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Masefield|first=Fraser|date=26 March 2014|title=10 Formula 1 Records That Will Never Be Broken|url=https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2006581-10-formula-1-records-that-will-never-be-broken|access-date=8 February 2024|website=Bleacher Report}}</ref> | |||
==== 2010: Return to Formula One ==== | |||
] | |||
In 2006, Schumacher was also the driver to have made the most starts with the same constructor (Ferrari, 180) and engine manufacturer (Ferrari, 180).<ref name="Collantine 2006">{{Cite web |last=Collantine |first=Keith |date=9 November 2006 |title=F1 2006 Review: Michael Schumacher stats |url=https://www.racefans.net/2006/11/09/f1-2006-review-michael-schumacher%E2%80%99s-stats/ |access-date=8 February 2024 |website=RaceFans}}</ref> He and Rubens Barrichello were the two drivers who have made the most starts as teammate (102, 2000–2005) and most 1–2 finishes (24 in the same period).<ref name="Collantine 2006" /> Schumacher tied Nigel Mansell in 2004 for the record of most wins at the start of a season, and he tied Senna for most pole positions at the same circuit (eight, with Schumacher at Suzuka and Senna at ]).<ref name="Collantine 2006" /> At 15 seasons, he holds the record for most consecutive seasons of winning at least one race (shared with Hamilton), and he held the record for most wins at the same venue (eight, at the ] in France) and also the record for the most wins in the same Grand Prix (eight, France).<ref name="Collantine 2006" /> At the 2003 Italian Grand Prix, he set the record for the race win at the fastest ever average speed of 247.586 kph (153.843 mph).<ref name="Collantine 2006" /> By 2006, he had spent a record 5,108 of his racing laps in the lead, and led 141 races.<ref name="Collantine 2006" /> He also made the most starts from the front row (115), scored the most points (1,369) before the point-system was overhauled in 2010, finished the most races in the points consecutively (24, from 2001 to 2003), and held the record for most consecutive fastest laps at the same circuit (7).<ref name="Collantine 2006" /> In 2002, he won the World Championship with six rounds to spare, which was earlier in the year than anyone before him (21 July).<ref name="Collantine 2006" /> | |||
Schumacher's first drive of the 2010 Mercedes car – the ] – was at an official in February 2010 in ]. He finished sixth in the first race of the season at the {{F1 GP|2010|Bahrain}}. After the Malaysian race former driver ] suggested that Schumacher, who had finished behind his team-mate in each of the first four qualifying sessions and races, might be "past it."<ref>{{cite news|title=Schumacher is 'past it' – Moss|url=http://en.espnf1.com/mercedes/motorsport/story/15453.html|date=27 April 2010|accessdate=25 August 2011|publisher=ESPN F1}}</ref> Many other respected former Formula One drivers thought otherwise, including former rival Damon Hill, who warned "you should never write Schumacher off."<ref>{{cite news|url=http://theblackstuff.co.uk/?p=1438|title=Damon Hill: Never, Ever, Ever, Ever Write Off Schumacher|date=8 July 2010|accessdate=25 August 2011|work=The Black Stuff|publisher=The Media Halls}}</ref> GrandPrix.com identified the inherent ] of the Mercedes car, exacerbated by the narrower front tyres introduced for the 2010 season, as contributing to Schumacher's difficulties.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.grandprix.com/ns/ns22213.html|title=Will chassis upgrade solve Schumacher woes?|date=3 May 2010|publisher=Inside F1, inc|accessdate=27 May 2010}}</ref> ] would later claim that Mercedes 2010 car was designed for him, and that their differing driving styles may have contributed to Schumacher's difficulties.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.worldcarfans.com/110072827638/schumachers-car-designed-for-me---button#ixzz17z1I3vRO|title=Schumacher's car designed for me – Button|work=WorldCarFans|publisher=Black Falcon Media Group|date=28 July 2010|accessdate=13 December 2010}}</ref> | |||
Schumacher, who dominated the sport in the 1990s and early 2000s becoming in 1995 the youngest back-to-back World Champion at the time,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Hardy |first=Edward |date=22 January 2024 |title=Who are F1's 10 youngest world champions? |url=https://www.motorsportmagazine.com/articles/single-seaters/f1/who-are-f1s-10-youngest-world-champions/ |access-date=8 February 2024 |website=Motor Sport}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=21 May 2023 |title=The 17 World Champions that belong in an exclusive Formula 1 club |url=https://www.planetf1.com/news/every-multiple-formula-1-world-champion |access-date=8 February 2024 |website=PlanetF1}}</ref> was noted for his ability in the rain, winning many of the wet races he took part in,<ref name="Hilton 2003, pp. 131–132" /> most notability Spain in 1996,<ref name="Beer 2020" /> and for his race pace, being able to set consecutive qualifying fastest laps;<ref name="Auto Racing 2007" /> due to refuelling, he missed out several pole positions, having set his race strategy through more fuel on board (from his debut in 1991 through to the end of 2002 before the introduction of race-fuel qualifying from 2003 onwards, Schumacher was only outqualified 13 times in 178 race entries), and won 23 percent more races than getting pole positions. He also respectively won 51 and 24 times without starting first or from the front row, and had 48 wins with fastest lap, all three being more than any other driver, and converted 40 of his pole positions to wins at 58 percent, a record number that was later beaten by Hamilton.<!--https://www.statsf1.com/en/statistiques/pilote/pole/et-victoire.aspx--> By the time he first retired in 2006, with 91 wins in 248 starts out of 250 entries (only behind Riccardo Patrese), Schumacher had a win ratio of 36 percent of starts, ahead of Formula One drivers Ayrton Senna and Alain Prost, both of them at 25 percent of starts. He also had 27 percent of pole positions, 30 percent of fastest laps, and the most victories from pole with fastest lap at 22.<ref name="Collantine 2006" /> He also could have won even more races had he went to the dominant teams of the 1990s (Williams and McLaren) and not joined Ferrari in 1996, a view echoed by his former teammate Eddie Irvine,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Foster |first=Michelle |date=18 October 2019 |title='Schumi could have won more if he hasn't joined Ferrari' |url=https://www.planetf1.com/news/schumi-couldve-won-more-if-he-hasnt-joined-ferrari |access-date=8 February 2024 |website=PlanetF1}}</ref> and could have become the first driver to win 100 races were it not for some situations that went beyond his control, such as reliability issues causing him to finish lower than first in 1994, one revoked win in 1994, two unfortunate collisions with Coulthard and Juan Pablo Montoya in 1998 and 2004, the two wins he gave to Irvine and Barrichello in 1999 and 2002, and retirements at the 1994 Spanish Grand Prix, the 2006 Japanese Grand Prix, and the 2012 Monaco Grand Prix.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Freeman|first=Glenn|date=27 October 2020|title=Nine lost F1 wins that stopped Schumacher reaching 100|url=https://www.the-race.com/formula-1/nine-lost-f1-wins-that-stopped-schumacher-reaching-100/|access-date=8 February 2024|website=The Race}}</ref> | |||
Mercedes upgraded their car for the {{F1 GP|2010|Spanish}} where Schumacher finished fourth. At the {{F1 GP|2010|Monaco}} Schumacher finished sixth after passing Ferrari's ] on the final corner of the race when the safety car returned to the pits. However he was penalised 20 seconds after the race by the race stewards dropping him to 12th. The stewards judged the pass to be in breach of the FIA's sporting code. Mercedes differing interpretation of the regulation would later lead to it being clarified by the FIA.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.grandprix.com/ns/ns22278.html|title=FIA To Clarify Safety Car Regulations|date=20 May 2010|publisher=GrandPrix.com|accessdate=27 May 2010}}</ref> | |||
==Personal life== | |||
] | |||
In August 1995, Schumacher married ].<ref name="Holt 2006">{{Cite news|last=Holt|first=Sarah|date=22 October 2006|title=Who is the real Schumacher?|publisher=BBC Sport|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/motorsport/formula_one/6047606.stm|access-date=22 October 2006|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070712080810/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/motorsport/formula_one/6047606.stm|archive-date=12 July 2007}}</ref> They have two children, a daughter Gina-Maria (born in 1997) and a son, ] (born in 1999). Schumacher has always been very protective of his private life and is known to dislike the celebrity spotlight.<ref name="Holt 2006"/> From 1992 to May 1996, Schumacher resided in the Fontvieille district in Monaco. The family moved to a newly built mansion near ], in 2007, covering an area of {{convert|650|m2|adj=on}} with a private beach on ] and featuring an underground garage and petrol station, with a vintage ] fuel pump.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Sarne|first=Vernon B.|date=21 May 2012|title=Michael Schumacher's house has its own vintage Shell fuel pump|url=https://www.topgear.com.ph/features/feature-articles/michael-schumacher-s-house-has-its-own-vintage-shell-fuel-pump|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191224011800/https://www.topgear.com.ph/features/feature-articles/michael-schumacher-s-house-has-its-own-vintage-shell-fuel-pump|archive-date=24 December 2019|access-date=24 December 2019|website=Top Gear}}</ref> Schumacher and his wife own horse ranches in ] and Switzerland.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Thompson|first=Danny|date=9 November 2019|title=Corinna Schumacher gives first interview since husband Michael's tragic skiing accident in 2013|url=https://news.yahoo.com/corinna-schumacher-gives-first-interview-since-husband-michaels-tragic-skiing-accident-in-2013-085942538.html?guccounter=1&guce_referrer=aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZ29vZ2xlLmNvbS8&guce_referrer_sig=AQAAAFbNCmC0ro-2wOhJ4p1rwBNy3H86fGYBUqYvIm-9Oq5PFjwYHG-kWNGgyk1qJ1gNJNvROlUOjcCVRgXoJ8wue4Lw67hKK6IlGIZUpr2Y3RsS3bMcok5YeOFeJxb7HnKvZC6EL16tBpEtNaV8HMc1k6CPu-1BIYNOmd7mlTN-JivU|access-date=31 August 2021|publisher=Yahoo News|archive-date=31 August 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210831074040/https://news.yahoo.com/corinna-schumacher-gives-first-interview-since-husband-michaels-tragic-skiing-accident-in-2013-085942538.html?guccounter=1&guce_referrer=aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZ29vZ2xlLmNvbS8&guce_referrer_sig=AQAAAFbNCmC0ro-2wOhJ4p1rwBNy3H86fGYBUqYvIm-9Oq5PFjwYHG-kWNGgyk1qJ1gNJNvROlUOjcCVRgXoJ8wue4Lw67hKK6IlGIZUpr2Y3RsS3bMcok5YeOFeJxb7HnKvZC6EL16tBpEtNaV8HMc1k6CPu-1BIYNOmd7mlTN-JivU}}</ref> Schumacher's younger brother ], his son Mick, his nephew ] and step-brother Sebastian Stahl have also been racing drivers.<ref>{{Cite news|date=20 November 2001|title=Schumacher half-brother looking for racing action|website=GrandPrix.com|url=http://grandprix.com/ns/ns05169.html|access-date=19 December 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081122071350/http://www.grandprix.com/ns/ns05169.html|archive-date=22 November 2008}}</ref> Ralf Schumacher competed in Formula One for ten years, starting from 1997 until the end of 2007.<ref name="Donaldson 2016"/> Mick became the third Schumacher to race in Formula One, having made his debut with ] in the {{F1|2021}} season.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Benson|first=Andrew|date=23 March 2021|title=Formula 1 2021: Mick Schumacher ready to emulate 'idol' father|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/formula1/56438451|access-date=31 August 2021|publisher=BBC Sport|archive-date=8 October 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221008060710/https://www.bbc.com/sport/formula1/56438451}}</ref> | |||
In ], Schumacher qualified fifth, and finished fourth in the race, both his best results since his return. In {{F1 GP|2010|European}} in Valencia, Schumacher finished 15th, the lowest recorded finish in his career.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/motorsport/2010/06/27/michael-schumacher-blasts-valencia-grand-prix-stewards-115875-22365702/|title=Michael Schumacher blasts Valencia Grand Prix stewards|work=Daily Mirror |location=UK|first=Byron|last=Young|date=27 June 2010|accessdate=15 November 2010}}</ref> In ], Schumacher finished outside the points in eleventh, but was found guilty of dangerous driving at {{convert|180|mph|0|abbr=on}} while unsuccessfully defending tenth position against ]. As a result he was demoted ten places on the grid for the following race, the ], where he finished seventh, despite starting 21st after his grid penalty. | |||
Before his skiing accident in 2013, Schumacher's main hobbies included horse riding, motorcycle racing, sky diving, and playing football for his local team ].<ref>{{Cite web|last=Sten-Ziemons|first=Andreas|date=30 December 2013|title=Michael Schumacher's love of the limit|url=https://www.dw.com/en/michael-schumachers-love-of-the-limit/a-17331237|access-date=31 August 2021|publisher=Deutsche Welle|archive-date=31 August 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210831074039/https://www.dw.com/en/michael-schumachers-love-of-the-limit/a-17331237}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Holt|first=Sarah|date=28 May 2010|title=F1 drivers banter over World Cup|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/sarahholt/2010/05/world_cup_provides_distraction.html|access-date=31 August 2021|publisher=BBC Sport|archive-date=31 August 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210831074039/https://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/sarahholt/2010/05/world_cup_provides_distraction.html}}</ref> Schumacher appeared in several charity football games,<ref>{{Cite news|date=16 December 2004|title=FIFA Fair Play: Playing for a better world|publisher=FIFA|url=https://www.fifa.com/en/fairplay/index/0,1255,104749,00.html?articleid=104749|access-date=25 October 2006|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060918063721/http://www.fifa.com/en/fairplay/index/0%2C1255%2C104749%2C00.html?articleid=104749|archive-date=18 September 2006}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=19 October 2004|title=Schumacher in action on Wednesday|url=http://www.pitpass.com/22671/Schumacher-in-action-on-Wednesday|access-date=4 March 2021|website=Pitpass|archive-date=12 April 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210412042811/https://www.pitpass.com/22671/Schumacher-in-action-on-Wednesday}}</ref> and organised games between Formula One drivers.<ref>{{Cite news|date=10 September 2006|title=Thoughts on Schumacher|publisher=BBC Sport|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/motorsport/formula_one/5330382.stm|access-date=25 October 2006|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070507134642/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/motorsport/formula_one/5330382.stm|archive-date=7 May 2007}}</ref> In 2008, ] football club ] approached Schumacher to join their squad for their upcoming ] qualifying matches but he turned down the offer.<ref>{{Cite web|date=9 July 2008|title=Schumacher offered Champions League game|url=https://www.crash.net/f1/news/62829/1/schumacher-offered-champions-league-game|access-date=22 July 2024|website=Crash.net}}</ref> He supports ], his local football club when he grew up, naming ] and ] his favourite players.<ref>{{Cite web|date=1 August 2000|title=Michael Schumacher: "I'm a great football fan"|url=https://www.fifa.com/worldcup/news/michael-schumacher-great-football-fan-74398|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200704091048/https://www.fifa.com/worldcup/news/michael-schumacher-great-football-fan-74398|archive-date=4 July 2020|access-date=13 May 2020|publisher=FIFA}}</ref> He is a ].<ref>{{Cite web|last=Ochs|first=Martina|date=15 February 2016|title=Das Ende der Stille|trans-title=The end of the silence|url=https://www.gala.de/stars/news/michael-schumacher--das-ende-der-stille-20281542.html|access-date=17 December 2021|website=GALA.de|language=de|archive-date=17 December 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211217185242/https://www.gala.de/stars/news/michael-schumacher--das-ende-der-stille-20281542.html}}</ref> | |||
At the season finale in ], Schumacher was involved in a major accident on the first lap, which occurred after a spin initiated by Rosberg. In recovering from the incident ]'s collided with Schumacher, barely missing his head.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.usatoday.com/sports/motor/2010-11-14-3633796092_x.htm|title=Schumacher escapes unhurt from crash at Abu Dhabi|work=USA Today|publisher=David Hunke; ]|date=14 November 2010|accessdate=20 November 2010|agency=]}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/motorsport/formulaone/michael-schumacher/8132363/F1-Abu-Dhabi-Grand-Prix-2010-lucky-escape-for-Michael-Schumacher-after-crash-with-Vitantonio-Liuzzi.html|title=Lucky escape for Michael Schumacher after crash with Vitantonio Liuzzi|work=The Daily Telegraph |location=UK|date=14 November 2010|accessdate=20 November 2010}}</ref> Nobody was hurt in the crash, but Schumacher said the crash had been "frightening."<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/88284|title=Schumacher says crash was frightening|first=Simon|last=Strang|work=Autosport|publisher=]|date=14 November 2010|accessdate=14 November 2010}}</ref> | |||
In 2006, Schumacher had a voice role in the ]/] film '']''. His character is himself as a ] who visits the town of ] to get new tires from Luigi and Guido at the recommendation of ]. During arrival, Luigi and Guido both faint in excitement when they see him. The French film '']'' features Schumacher in a cameo role as a chariot driver called Schumix. In 2009, Schumacher appeared on the ]'s motoring programme '']'' as ].<ref>{{Cite news|date=21 June 2009|title=Schumacher 'revealed' as the Stig|publisher=BBC News|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/8111588.stm|access-date=22 June 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201107060140/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/8111588.stm|archive-date=7 November 2020}}</ref> Presenter ] hinted later in the programme that Schumacher was not the regular Stig, which the BBC subsequently confirmed. Schumacher was there because Ferrari would not allow anyone else to drive the unique black ] that was featured in the show.<ref>{{Cite web|title=F1: Schumacher completes a stint as Top Gear Stig – SCHUMACHER|url=http://en.f1-live.com/f1/en/headlines/news/detail/090622092912.shtml|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090623234241/http://en.f1-live.com/f1/en/headlines/news/detail/090622092912.shtml|archive-date=23 June 2009|access-date=8 August 2009|website=F1-Live.com}}</ref> In July 2021, ] announced the first officially approved documentary film about Schumacher—called '']''—which was released on 15 September 2021.<ref>{{Cite web|date=30 July 2021|title=Netflix's new Schumacher documentary to show 'multi-layered personality' of 7-time champion|url=https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/article.netflixs-new-schumacher-documentary-to-show-multi-layered-personality-of-7.2gadBmiTt3x9nPXtLtDgmD.html|access-date=20 August 2021|publisher=Formula One|archive-date=20 August 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210820234328/https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/article.netflixs-new-schumacher-documentary-to-show-multi-layered-personality-of-7.2gadBmiTt3x9nPXtLtDgmD.html}}</ref> | |||
It was Schumacher's first season since ] that he finished without a win, pole position, podium or fastest lap. He finished the season 9th with 72 points. | |||
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===Finance and sponsorship=== | ||
]. When he won his third title in 2000, which was the first with Ferrari, the '']'' was issued in a ''Schumacher Edition'' having his signature on the back.]] | |||
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In 1999 and 2000, '']'' magazine listed him as the highest paid athlete in the world.<ref>{{Cite book|last1=Funk|first1=Daniel|title=Strategic Sport Marketing|last2=Karg|first2=Adam|publisher=Routledge|year=2020|isbn=978-1-00025127-2|pages=275}}</ref> In 2005, ''EuroBusiness'' magazine identified Schumacher as the world's first billionaire athlete.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Michael Schumacher (1969)|url=https://people.idsia.ch/~juergen/schumacher.html|access-date=17 July 2023|publisher=]|archive-date=10 June 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230610145911/https://people.idsia.ch/~juergen/schumacher.html|url-status=live}}</ref> In 2005, ''Forbes'' ranked him 17th in its "The World's Most Powerful Celebrities" list.<ref>{{Cite news|year=2005|title=The Celebrity 100|work=Forbes|url=http://forbes.com/lists/2005/53/Rank_1.html|access-date=25 October 2006|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061025222351/http://www.forbes.com/lists/2005/53/Rank_1.html|archive-date=25 October 2006}}</ref> A significant share of his income came from advertising; ] paid him $8 million over three years from 1999 for wearing a 10 by 8 centimetre advertisement on his post-race cap.<ref>{{Cite news|date=11 November 1999|title=MOT: Schumacher slaps $11.9 m price on his head|publisher=AAP Sports News|url=http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P1-24009938.html|access-date=24 October 2006|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110516202251/http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P1-24009938.html|archive-date=16 May 2011}}</ref> In 2010, his personal fortune was estimated at £515 million.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Drivers top the rich list|url=http://en.espnf1.com/f1/motorsport/story/15812.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141209120333/http://en.espnf1.com/f1/motorsport/story/15812.html|archive-date=9 December 2014|access-date=9 September 2014|work=ESPN F1}}</ref> In 2017, ''Forbes'' designated Schumacher as the athlete with the fifth highest career earnings of all-time.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Badenhausen|first=Kurt|date=13 December 2017|title=The 25 Highest-Paid Athletes of All Time|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/kurtbadenhausen/2017/12/13/the-25-highest-paid-athletes-of-all-time/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181218152451/https://www.forbes.com/sites/kurtbadenhausen/2017/12/13/the-25-highest-paid-athletes-of-all-time/|archive-date=18 December 2018|access-date=18 December 2018|website=]}}</ref> | |||
Schumacher's first points of 2011 were scored in ], he later came sixth in Spain and had a strong race at the {{F1 GP|2011|Canadian}} finishing fourth, after running as high as second in a wet race. Schumacher was passed late in the race by eventual winner ]. | |||
] | |||
===Philanthropy=== | |||
Schumacher clashed with ] in Valencia, and with ] in Britain, and marked the 20th anniversary of his Formula One début at the {{F1 GP|2011|Belgian}}. Despite starting last in Belgium Schumacher raced well and finished fifth. Schumacher again raced well in Italy, duelling with ] for fourth place. The {{F1 GP|2011|Japanese}} saw Schumacher lead three laps during the race, marking the first time he had led a race since 2006.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/motorsport/formula_one/9610783.stm|title=Japanese Grand Prix as it happened|work=]|publisher=]|date=9 October 2011|accessdate=10 October 2011|first=Sam|last=Sheringham|quote=Lap 40: This is the first time Schuey has led a race since the Japanese GP in 2006.}}</ref> In doing so, he became the oldest driver to lead a race since ] in {{F1|1970}}. | |||
Schumacher was a special ambassador to ] and has donated €1.5 million to the organisation.<ref>{{Cite web|year=2002|title=Michael Schumacher, a UNESCO champion|url=http://portal.unesco.org/en/ev.php-URL_ID=6691&URL_DO=DO_TOPIC&URL_SECTION=201.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070221113842/http://portal.unesco.org/en/ev.php-URL_ID%3D6691%26URL_DO%3DDO_TOPIC%26URL_SECTION%3D201.html|archive-date=21 February 2007|access-date=25 October 2006|publisher=UNESCO}}</ref> Additionally, he paid for the construction of a school for poor children and for area improvements in ], Senegal. He supported a hospital for child victims of the ], which specialises in caring for amputees.<ref>{{Cite web|date=30 April 2014|title=Michael Schumacher zum Ehrenbürger von Sarajevo ernannt|url=https://www.nachrichten.at/nachrichten/ticker/Michael-Schumacher-zum-Ehrenbuerger-von-Sarajevo-ernannt;art449,1373494|access-date=4 March 2021|website=Nachrichten.at|language=de|archive-date=14 April 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210414203349/https://www.nachrichten.at/nachrichten/ticker/Michael-Schumacher-zum-Ehrenbuerger-von-Sarajevo-ernannt;art449,1373494}}</ref> In ], Peru, he funded the Palace for the Poor, a centre for helping homeless street children obtain an education, clothing, food, medical attention, and shelter. Schumacher told ''F1 Magazine'': "It's great if you can use your fame and the power your fame gives you to draw attention to things that really matter."<ref>{{Cite web|date=30 December 2013|title=The charitable side of Michael Schumacher|url=https://www.newstalk.com/off-the-ball/the-charitable-side-of-michael-schumacher-712091|access-date=4 March 2021|website=Newstalk|archive-date=18 September 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220918085741/https://www.newstalk.com/off-the-ball/the-charitable-side-of-michael-schumacher-712091}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Cheema|first=Saad Bari|date=3 January 2014|title=Keep the prayers coming for Michael Schumacher|url=https://tribune.com.pk/article/20410/keep-the-prayers-coming-for-michael-schumacher|access-date=6 February 2024|website=The Express Tribune}}</ref> For the ], Schumacher donated €1 million;<ref>{{Cite web|date=17 August 2002|title=Michael gives $1m to flood victims|url=https://www.grandprix.com/ns/ns06876.html|access-date=4 March 2021|website=GrandPrix.com|archive-date=22 April 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210422145711/https://www.grandprix.com/ns/ns06876.html}}</ref> years later, Schumacher did the same when he donated €500,000 after the ].<ref>{{Cite web|date=19 June 2013|title=Michael Schumacher pledges 500,000 euros to flood fund|url=https://sports.ndtv.com/formula-1/michael-schumacher-pledges-500000-euros-to-flood-fund-1534902|access-date=4 March 2021|website=NDTV Sports|archive-date=20 April 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210420221100/https://sports.ndtv.com/formula-1/michael-schumacher-pledges-500000-euros-to-flood-fund-1534902}}</ref> He donated $10 million for aid after the ],<ref>{{Cite news|date=4 January 2005|title=Schumacher donates $10m relief aid|publisher=CNN|url=http://edition.cnn.com/2005/SPORT/01/04/tsunami.relief/index.html|access-date=24 October 2006|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061102045158/http://edition.cnn.com/2005/SPORT/01/04/tsunami.relief/index.html|archive-date=2 November 2006}}</ref> which surpassed that of any other sports person, most sports leagues, many worldwide corporations and even some countries.<ref>{{Cite web|last=McAllister|first=Mike|date=11 November 2005|title=My Sportsman: Michael Schumacher|website=Sports Illustrated<!--2005 Sportsman of the Year-->|url=http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2005/magazine/specials/sportsman/2005/11/11/michael.schumacher/index.html|access-date=25 October 2006|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060917130243/http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2005/magazine/specials/sportsman/2005/11/11/michael.schumacher/index.html|archive-date=17 September 2006}}</ref> From 2002 to 2006, he donated at least $50 million to various charities.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Duff|first=Alex|date=10 September 2006|title=Schumacher, Seven-Time Champion, to Quit Formula One (Update 1)|publisher=Bloomberg News|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601100&sid=azdH01IQrFLs&refer=germany|access-date=18 January 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070930013122/http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601100&sid=azdH01IQrFLs&refer=germany|archive-date=30 September 2007}}</ref> In 2008, he donated between $5 million and $10 million to the ].<ref>{{Cite news|date=18 December 2008|title=Clinton Foundation Donors|work=The Wall Street Journal|url=https://online.wsj.com/public/resources/documents/st_clintondonor_20081218.html|access-date=18 December 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081219114354/http://online.wsj.com/public/resources/documents/st_clintondonor_20081218.html|archive-date=19 December 2008}}</ref> | |||
Since his participation in an FIA European road safety campaign, as part of his punishment after the collision at the 1997 European Grand Prix, Schumacher continued to support other campaigns, such as ], which is led by the FIA Foundation and calls on ] countries and the ] to recognise global road deaths as a major global health issue. In 2008, Schumacher was the figurehead of an advertising campaign by ] to raise awareness about responsible drinking. He featured in an advertising campaign for television, cinema and online media, supported by consumer engagements, public relations and digital media across the world.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Sweney|first=Mark|date=4 July 2008|title=Schumacher puts the brakes on drink-driving|work=The Guardian|location=London|url=https://www.theguardian.com/media/2008/jul/04/advertising.formulaone|access-date=30 January 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131215082857/http://www.theguardian.com/media/2008/jul/04/advertising.formulaone|archive-date=15 December 2013}}</ref> | |||
At the 2011 Indian Grand Prix Schumacher started well and finished fifth after overtaking Rosberg at at the end of the race. Schumacher diced again with Rosberg in {{F1 GP|2011|Abu Dhabi}}, battling over sixth position on the first lap. Schumacher finished the season in eighth place in the drivers' championship, with 76 points. | |||
=== |
===2013 skiing accident=== | ||
On 29 December 2013, Schumacher was skiing with his then 14-year-old son ], descending the Combe de Saulire below the ] above ] in the ]. An experienced skier, while crossing an unsecured ] area between Piste Chamois and Piste Mauduit,<ref>{{Cite web|title=Michael Schumacher's Skiing Accident in Méribel – Locations|url=http://mitteleuropa.x10.mx/misc_newmaterial.html|archive-url=https://archive.today/20140224185128/http://mitteleuropa.x10.mx/misc_newmaterial.html%23schumacher|archive-date=24 February 2014|access-date=24 February 2014|publisher=X10}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Schumacher Head Injury Skiing|url=http://www.snowindustrynews.com/articles/schumacher-head-injury-skiing/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150427142904/http://www.snowindustrynews.com/articles/schumacher-head-injury-skiing/|archive-date=27 April 2015|access-date=20 April 2015|website=Snow Industry News|date=29 December 2013}}</ref> he fell and hit his head on a rock, sustaining a serious head injury despite wearing a ].<ref>{{Cite news|last=Azad|first=Anand Veeravagu,Tej|date=3 January 2014|title=Brain Bleed: Why Michael Schumacher's Helmet Wasn't Enough|url=https://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2014/01/03/brain-bleed-why-michael-schumacher-s-helmet-wasn-t-enough|access-date=10 February 2024|work=The Daily Beast}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=20 December 2020|title=Michael Schumacher's Head Injury and Recovery Today {{!}} ANA|url=https://ana-neurosurgery.com/michael-schumacher-coma-transferred-rehab/|access-date=10 February 2024|website=Advanced Neurosurgery Associates}}</ref> According to his physicians, he would most likely have died had he not been wearing a helmet.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Noble|first=Jonathan|date=30 December 2013|title=Helmet helped protect Michael Schumacher in skiing accident|work=Autosport|publisher=Haymarket Publishing|url=http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/111982|access-date=30 December 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131231002243/http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/111982|archive-date=31 December 2013}}</ref> He was airlifted to ] where he underwent two surgical interventions.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Whaling|first=James|date=26 November 2017|title=What we know about Michael Schumacher after horror ski accident|work=Daily Mirror|url=https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/formula-1/michael-schumacher-ski-accident-10360005|access-date=18 December 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171218083220/http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/formula-1/michael-schumacher-ski-accident-10360005|archive-date=18 December 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> Schumacher was put into a medically ] because of ].<ref>{{Cite news|date=7 March 2014|title=Michael Schumacher 'still in wake-up phase'|publisher=CNN|url=http://edition.cnn.com/2014/03/07/sport/michael-schumacher-massa-f1-motorsport/|access-date=16 March 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140311230133/http://edition.cnn.com/2014/03/07/sport/michael-schumacher-massa-f1-motorsport|archive-date=11 March 2014|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|last=Noble|first=Jonathan|date=30 December 2013|title=Doctors say Michael Schumacher's condition 'extremely serious'|work=Autosport|publisher=Haymarket Publishing|url=http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/111981|access-date=30 December 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131230233348/http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/111981|archive-date=30 December 2013|url-status=live}}</ref> By March 2014, there were small encouraging signs. In early April 2014, he was showing moments of consciousness as he was gradually withdrawn from the medically induced coma.<ref>{{Cite news|date=4 April 2014|title=Schumacher has 'conscious moments' – agent|publisher=BBC News|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-26885624|access-date=4 April 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140405065727/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-26885624|archive-date=5 April 2014|url-status=live}}</ref> | |||
] | |||
Schumacher was again partnered by Rosberg at Mercedes for the 2012 season.<ref name="Schumacher">{{cite news|url=http://en.espnf1.com/mercedes/motorsport/story/7532.html|title=Schumacher could stay in F1 after 2012|publisher=ESPN F1|date=27 January 2010|accessdate=25 July 2010}}</ref> Schumacher retired from the inaugural race of the season {{F1 GP|2012|Australian}}, and scored a point in the second race in Malaysia.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.google.com/hostednews/ukpress/article/ALeqM5gcx7P9DYPxinDYuIuShwcYbp5pZg?docId=N1176961332075459939A|title=Brawn upbeat despite Melbourne failure|date=18 March 2012|accessdate=18 March 2012|publisher=]|publisher=] Inc.|agency=]}}</ref> In China Schumacher started on the front row alongside Rosberg on pole, but retired due to a loose wheel after a mechanics error during a pit stop. | |||
In June 2014, Schumacher left Grenoble Hospital for further rehabilitation at the ], Switzerland.<ref>{{Cite news|last1=Schmuck|first1=Pascal|last2=Nicollier|first2=Marie|date=16 June 2014|title=Schumacher entre les mains des neurologues du CHUV|language=fr|work=]|url=http://www.24heures.ch/vaud-regions/lausanne-region/Schumacher-entre-les-mains-des-neurologues-du-CHUV/story/16481300|access-date=21 August 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140818231507/http://www.24heures.ch/vaud-regions/lausanne-region/Schumacher-entre-les-mains-des-neurologues-du-CHUV/story/16481300|archive-date=18 August 2014|url-status=live}}</ref> In September 2014, Schumacher left the hospital and was brought back to his home for further rehabilitation.<ref>{{Cite news|date=9 September 2014|title=Michael Schumacher leaves hospital for recovery at home|publisher=BBC News|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-29130742|access-date=9 September 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190822015700/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-29130742|archive-date=22 August 2019|url-status=live}}</ref> Since Schumacher's accident, there was little public information about his condition or recovery, with his family asking for privacy.<ref>{{Cite news|date=30 December 2022|title=What happened to Michael Schumacher in 2013 and what all we know since then?|url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/international/uk/what-happened-to-michael-schumacher-in-2013-and-what-all-we-know-since-then/articleshow/96605365.cms?from=mdr|access-date=10 February 2024|work=The Economic Times|issn=0013-0389}}</ref> In November 2014, it was reported that Schumacher was "paralysed and in a wheelchair", and that he "cannot speak and has memory problems".<ref>{{Cite news|last=Williams|first=Alexandra|date=19 November 2014|title=Michael Schumacher: 'paralysed and in a wheelchair'|work=The Telegraph|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/motorsport/formulaone/michael-schumacher/11241129/Michael-Schumacher-paralysed-and-in-a-wheelchair.html|access-date=19 November 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190804070713/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/motorsport/formulaone/michael-schumacher/11241129/Michael-Schumacher-paralysed-and-in-a-wheelchair.html|archive-date=4 August 2019|url-status=live}}</ref> In May 2015, Schumacher's manager ] stated that his condition was slowly improving "considering the severeness of the injury he had".<ref>{{Cite web|last=Manalo|first=Komfie|date=26 May 2015|title=Michael Schumacher Latest Health Update: F1 Racing Superstar Improving 17 Months After Ski Accident|url=http://www.gospelherald.com/articles/55707/20150526/michael-schumacher-health-update-f1-racing-superstar-improving-17-months-ski-crash.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150527122613/http://www.gospelherald.com/articles/55707/20150526/michael-schumacher-health-update-f1-racing-superstar-improving-17-months-ski-crash.htm|archive-date=27 May 2015|access-date=27 May 2015|url-status=live}}</ref> | |||
After causing a collision with ] in Spain, Schumacher received a five-place grid penalty for the ]. Schumacher was fastest in qualifying in Monaco; but started sixth owing to his penalty. He later retired from seventh place in the race. | |||
]]] | |||
At the {{F1 GP|2012|European}}, Schumacher finished third in the race, his only podium finish since his return to F1 with Mercedes. At the age of 43 years and 173 days, he became the oldest driver to achieve a podium since ]'s second place finish at the ]. Further records were set by Schumacher in the Germany, where he set the fastest lap in a Grand Prix for the 77th time in his career, and in Belgium where he became the second driver in history to race in 300 Grands Prix.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www1.skysports.com/formula-1/news/22058/7928246/Conclusions-from-the-German-GP|title=Conclusions from the German GP|work=]|publisher=]|date=23 July 2012|accessdate=24 July 2012}}</ref> | |||
In September 2016, Felix Damm, lawyer for Schumacher, told a German court that his client "cannot walk", in response to reports from December 2015 in German publication '']'' that he could walk again.<ref>{{Cite news|date=19 September 2016|title=Michael Schumacher 'cannot walk', German court hears|publisher=BBC News|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-37406977|access-date=21 September 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160921003552/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-37406977|archive-date=21 September 2016|url-status=live}}</ref> In July 2019, former Ferrari manager Jean Todt stated that Schumacher was making "good progress" but also "struggles to communicate". Todt also said that Schumacher was able to watch Formula One races on television at his home.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Chazan|first=David|date=30 July 2019|title=Michael Schumacher 'making progress' in recovery from severe head injuries|work=The Daily Telegraph|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2019/07/30/michael-schumacher-making-progress-recovery-severe-head-injuries|access-date=30 July 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190730142448/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2019/07/30/michael-schumacher-making-progress-recovery-severe-head-injuries/|archive-date=30 July 2019|url-status=live}}</ref> In September 2019, '']'' reported that Schumacher had been admitted to the ] in Paris for treatment by cardiovascular surgeon Philippe Menasché, described as a "pioneer in cell surgery". Following the treatment, which involved him receiving an anti-inflammatory ] perfusion, medical staff stated that Schumacher was "conscious".<ref>{{Cite news|last=Samuel|first=Henry|date=11 September 2019|title=Michael Schumacher 'conscious' after pioneering treatment in Paris|work=The Telegraph|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2019/09/11/michael-schumacher-conscious-pioneering-treatment-paris-says/|access-date=12 September 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190912232115/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2019/09/11/michael-schumacher-conscious-pioneering-treatment-paris-says/|archive-date=12 September 2019|issn=0307-1235|url-status=live}}</ref> | |||
]]] | |||
Schumacher's family maintains strict privacy about his condition since his accident in 2013. In April 2023, '']'' published what it advertised as a "first interview" with Schumacher, including alleged quotes from him about his health and family; it soon emerged that these responses had been fabricated using ]. Schumacher's family said that they would sue the magazine, which fired the editor responsible.<ref>{{cite news|title=Schumachers plan legal action after AI 'interview'|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/formula1/65333115|date=20 April 2023|publisher=BBC Sport|access-date=20 April 2023|archive-date=20 April 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230420094739/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/formula1/65333115|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Magazine editor sacked over AI-generated Michael Schumacher interview|newspaper=The Observer|date=22 April 2023|url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2023/apr/22/michael-schumacher-formula-one-interview-die-aktuelle-editor-sacked|access-date=22 April 2023|archive-date=22 April 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230422173807/https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2023/apr/22/michael-schumacher-formula-one-interview-die-aktuelle-editor-sacked|url-status=live|issn=0029-7712}}</ref> In September 2024, Schumacher was reportedly present at the wedding of his daughter, Gina, in Spain.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Otto|first=Tyson|date=2 October 2024|title=Schumacher 'seen' in public as 11-year public exile ends in heavily-guarded event|url=http://www.foxsports.com.au/motorsport/formula-one/schumacher-seen-in-public-as-11year-public-exile-ends-in-heavilyguarded-event/news-story/60373a770e2a2642111570b95ab82e02|access-date=2 October 2024|work=Fox Sports}}</ref> | |||
Schumacher's indecision over his future plans in F1 led to him being replaced by ] at Mercedes for the 2013 season.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/102906/|first=Jonathan|last=Noble|title=Schumacher's indecision prompted Mercedes to chase Hamilton|work=]|publisher=]|date=28 September 2012|accessdate=16 October 2012}}</ref> In October 2012, Schumacher announced he would retire for a second time at the conclusion of the season.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.formula1.com/news/headlines/2012/10/13863.html|title=Schumacher announces Formula One retirement|publisher=]|date=4 October 2012|accessdate=4 October 2012}}</ref> The following week he was quoted as saying: "There were times in the past few months in which I didn't want to deal with Formula One or prepare for the next Grand Prix."<ref>{{cite news|url=http://formula-one.speedtv.com/article/f1-michael-schumacher-ready-to-go-home-after-formula-one-retirement/|title=Schumacher Ready To Go ‘Home’ After Retirement|work=]|publisher=Speed Channel, Inc.|agency=GMM|date=14 October 2012|accessdate=16 October 2012}}</ref> The season concluded with the ], in which Schumacher finished seventh. He placed 13th in the 2012 drivers' championship. | |||
==Honours and achievements== | |||
== Helmet == | |||
{{main|List of career achievements by Michael Schumacher#Awards}} | |||
] | |||
] were renamed after Schumacher in 2007.]] | |||
Schumacher, in conjunction with ], helped develop the first lightweight carbon helmet. In 2004, a prototype was publicly tested by being driven over by a ]; it survived intact.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.jeccomposites.com/composites-news/682/Even-a-tank.html |title= Even a tank can't halt schu now |accessdate=8 November 2006 |publisher=JEC Composites}}</ref> <!-- What does this mean: "The Layers were "baked" into the corners to achieve extra stiffness and extra magnesium."?-->The helmet keeps the driver cool by funneling directed airflow through fifty holes.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.theprancinghorse.co.uk/news/newsfeatures/1.html |title=Michael Schumacher Helmet Profile |accessdate=10 February 2007 |publisher=theprancinghorse.co.uk |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20061230064118/http://www.theprancinghorse.co.uk/news/newsfeatures/1.html <!--Added by H3llBot--> |archivedate=30 December 2006}}</ref> | |||
Schumacher has been honoured many times. In 1992, the ] awarded him the ONS Cup, the highest accolade in German motorsport; he also won the trophy in 1994, 1995, and 2002.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Ehrungen|url=https://www.dmsb.de/de/ueber-uns/ehrungen|access-date=27 February 2021|publisher=German Motor Sport Federation|language=de|archive-date=11 October 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221011212551/https://www.dmsb.de/de/ueber-uns/ehrungen}}</ref> In 1993, he won a ] (Sports) and was the first racing driver to receive the ].<ref>{{Cite web|title=Copperfield verzauberte BAMBI|url=https://www.bambi.de/copperfield-verzauberte-bambi/22332|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201127075539/https://www.bambi.de/copperfield-verzauberte-bambi/22332|archive-date=27 November 2020|access-date=27 February 2021|website=BAMBI|language=de}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=8 November 2007|title=Europäer vorn|url=https://www.autobild.de/artikel/goldenes-lenkrad-2007-447547.html|access-date=28 February 2021|website=Auto Bild|publisher=Axel Springer|language=de|archive-date=4 December 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211204101930/https://www.autobild.de/artikel/goldenes-lenkrad-2007-447547.html}}</ref> In 1994 and from 2001 to 2003, Schumacher was voted European Sportsperson of the Year by the International Sports Press Association.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Azzopardi|first=Stephen|date=8 January 2020|title=Nadal and Hosszu chosen by AIPS Europe journalists as best in Europe|url=https://www.maltasportsjournalists.com/2020/01/08/nadal-and-hisszu-chosen-by-aips-europe-journalists-as-best-in-europe/|access-date=25 February 2021|website=Malta Sports Journalists|archive-date=31 May 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220531095441/https://www.maltasportsjournalists.com/2020/01/08/nadal-and-hisszu-chosen-by-aips-europe-journalists-as-best-in-europe/}}</ref> He was voted by ] the ] from 2001 to 2003.<ref>{{Cite web|date=27 December 2020|title=FC Bayern: Große Ehre für Robert Lewandowski – Torjäger wird 'Europas Sportler des Jahres'|url=https://www.sport.de/news/ne4291866/fc-bayern-grosse-ehre-fuer-robert-lewandowski---torjaeger-wird-europas-sportler-des-jahres/|access-date=25 February 2021|website=sport.de|language=de|archive-date=29 July 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220729201844/https://www.sport.de/news/ne4291866/fc-bayern-grosse-ehre-fuer-robert-lewandowski---torjaeger-wird-europas-sportler-des-jahres/}}</ref> In 1995 and from 2000 to 2002, he was named ].<ref>{{Cite web|title=Autosport Awards Videos {{!}} 1995|url=https://www.autosportawards.com/video/1995|access-date=27 February 2021|website=Autosport Awards|archive-date=31 May 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220531185744/https://www.autosportawards.com/video/1995}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=3 December 2000|title=Full coverage from racing's big night out!|url=https://www.autosport.com/motorsport/news/12235/full-coverage-from-racing-big-night-out|access-date=28 February 2021|website=Autosport|archive-date=14 May 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220514160738/https://www.autosport.com/general/news/full-coverage-from-racings-big-night-out-5019447/5019447/}}</ref> Schumacher was voted ] in 1995 and 2004.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Lüttgens|first=Markus|date=18 December 2016|title=Sportler des Jahres: Michael Schumachers chaotische Anreise|url=https://www.motorsport-total.com/formel-1/news/sportler-des-jahres-michael-schumachers-chaotische-anreise-16121807|access-date=27 February 2021|website=Motorsport-Total.com|language=de|archive-date=6 July 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220706155425/https://www.motorsport-total.com/formel-1/news/sportler-des-jahres-michael-schumachers-chaotische-anreise-16121807}}</ref> During the latter year, he was voted Germany's greatest sportsperson of the 20th century, beating ] and ] to the accolade.<ref>{{Cite web|date=20 November 2004|title=Schumacher voted German's sportsman of the century|url=http://www.pitpass.com/22921/Schumacher-voted-Germans-sportsman-of-the-century|access-date=27 February 2021|publisher=Pitpass|archive-date=23 July 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220723104034/https://www.pitpass.com/22921/Schumacher-voted-Germans-sportsman-of-the-century}}</ref> For his sports achievements and his commitment to road safety, Schumacher was awarded Germany's highest sporting accolade, the ], in 1997.<ref>{{Cite news|date=24 February 2012|title=Seehofers erster Auftritt als erster Mann im Staat|language=de|work=Die Welt|url=https://www.welt.de/politik/deutschland/article13885430/Seehofers-erster-Auftritt-als-erster-Mann-im-Staat.html|access-date=23 February 2021|archive-date=3 June 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220603130203/https://www.welt.de/politik/deutschland/article13885430/Seehofers-erster-Auftritt-als-erster-Mann-im-Staat.html}}</ref> In 2002, for his contributions to sport and his contributions in raising awareness of child education, Schumacher was named as one of the ].<ref>{{Cite web|date=April 2002|title=Michael Schumacher UNESCO Champion for sport|url=http://portal.unesco.org/en/ev.php-URL_ID=24019&URL_DO=DO_TOPIC&URL_SECTION=201.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081024071425/http://portal.unesco.org/en/ev.php-URL_ID%3D24019%26URL_DO%3DDO_TOPIC%26URL_SECTION%3D201.html|archive-date=24 October 2008|publisher=UNESCO}}</ref> | |||
] | |||
Schumacher's original helmet sported the colours of the ] and his sponsor's decals. On the top was a blue circle with white ]s. When ] was his team-mate, Schumacher added 4 red diagonal strokes over the visor to differentiate his helmet from his team-mate. After Schumacher joined Ferrari a prancing horse was added on the back. From the ], in order to differentiate his colours from his new teammate ], Schumacher changed the upper blue colour and some of the white areas to red.<ref name = "mSchumacher biography">{{cite web | title = Michael Schumacher Biography | url = http://www.mschumacher.com/biography.html | publisher=mschumacher.com | accessdate =25 October 2006}}</ref> Since 2004, the helmet sported a white diagonal line with a white vertical line in the zone of the German Flag colors (originally to accommodate sponsor AMD), but then these lines remained in the Suzuka 2006 design. | |||
He sported one-off helmet designs four times. For the ], a title decider with ], he replaced the German flag with a chequered flag motif and reflective silver replacing the white areas. At the ] the German flag design was replaced with an Italian flag in honour of his team's home race. For the Brazilian Grand Prix race of 2006 (at the time intended to be his final Grand Prix), he wore an all-red helmet that included the names of his ninety-one Grand Prix victories.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.pitpass.com/fes_php/pitpass_news_item.php?fes_art_id=29768 |title=Michael's winning helmet |date=21 October 2006 |accessdate=7 November 2006 |publisher=PitPass}}</ref><!--Contrary to widespread expectationsSchumacher neither reverted to the original design for his 2010 comeback with Mercedes GP{{clarify|date=November 2010}}, nor adopted a new silver version. Instead, the helmet remained red (suzuka 2006 design), Schumacher stating it to be a reference to his links with Ferrari.{{Citation needed|June 2010|date=November 2010}} --> For the ], Schumacher's 20th anniversary in Formula One, he wore a commemorative gold-leafed helmet.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://plus.autosport.com/free/feature/3825/behind-the-scenes-at-spa/|title=Behind the scenes at Spa|first=Jonathan|last=Noble|work=]|publisher=]|date=29 August 2011|accessdate=30 August 2011|quote=Helmet supplier Schuberth provided him with a special 21-carat gold plated helmet, which he wore as a special one-off for the weekend.}}</ref> The helmet, very similar to his current helmet, included the year of his début to the present, and the years of his seven world titles. For the ], Schumacher's 300th Grand Prix appearance he wore a special platinum-leafed helmet with a message of his achievement. | |||
Schumacher won the ] in 2002 and 2004,<ref name="laureus-award Michael Schumacher">{{Cite web|year=2006|title=Michael Schumacher|url=http://www.laureus.com/winners?q=node/821|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070928063322/http://www.laureus.com/winners?q=node%2F821|archive-date=28 September 2007|access-date=18 April 2007|website=Laureus|publisher=Laureus World Sport Awards Limited}}</ref> received the ] award in 2001,<ref>{{Cite web|title=Marca Leyenda|url=https://www.marca.com/marca-leyenda.html|access-date=27 February 2021|website=Marca|location=Spain|date=3 April 2018|language=es|archive-date=7 October 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221007020854/https://www.marca.com/marca-leyenda.html}}</ref> was named ] three times (from 2001 to 2003),<ref>{{Cite web|date=30 October 2009|title=French Newspaper Names German Driver Schumacher Voted World 'Champion of Champions' – 2003-12-29|url=https://www.voanews.com/archive/french-newspaper-names-german-driver-schumacher-voted-world-champion-champions-2003-12-29|access-date=25 February 2021|publisher=Voice of America|archive-date=10 April 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210410140816/https://www.voanews.com/archive/french-newspaper-names-german-driver-schumacher-voted-world-champion-champions-2003-12-29}}</ref> won the ] twice (2001 and 2002),<ref>{{Cite web|date=31 December 2019|title=Inventato nel 1978, votano i giornalisti della Gazza: da Rono-Simeoni a oggi, ecco tutti i vincitori|url=https://www.gazzetta.it/Sport-Vari/31-12-2019/inventato-1978-gino-palumbo-votano-giornalisti-gazza-3502306738445.shtml|access-date=27 February 2021|website=La Gazzetta dello Sport|language=it|archive-date=10 July 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220710185913/https://www.gazzetta.it/Sport-Vari/31-12-2019/inventato-1978-gino-palumbo-votano-giornalisti-gazza-3502306738445.shtml}}</ref> and won the 2003 ].<ref>{{Cite web|date=22 May 2003|title=Schumacher Receives Bandini Award|url=http://classic.autosport.com/news/atlasf1-report.php/id/975|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190812190619/http://classic.autosport.com/news/atlasf1-report.php/id/975|archive-date=12 August 2019|access-date=30 August 2021|website=Autosport}}</ref> In honour of Schumacher's racing career and his efforts to improve road safety and the sport, he was awarded an FIA Gold Medal for Motor Sport in 2006.<ref>{{Cite news|date=11 December 2006|title=Schumacher honoured by the FIA|publisher=Formula One|url=http://www.formula1.com/news/headlines/2006/12/5395.html|access-date=15 December 2006|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071109154542/http://www.formula1.com/news/headlines/2006/12/5395.html|archive-date=9 November 2007}}</ref> The same year, ahead of his final race for Ferrari at Interlagos on 22 October, football player Pelé presented a "Lifetime Achievement Award" to Schumacher.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://thesportsrush.com/f1-news-when-footballing-legend-pele-awarded-7-time-f1-champion-michael-schumacher-ahead-of-his-final-race-with-ferrari/|title=When Footballing legend Pele awarded 7-time F1 Champion Michael Schumacher ahead of his final race with Ferrari|date=30 December 2022|access-date=30 December 2022|website=]|last=Venkatesh|first=Tejas|archive-date=30 December 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221230170039/https://thesportsrush.com/f1-news-when-footballing-legend-pele-awarded-7-time-f1-champion-michael-schumacher-ahead-of-his-final-race-with-ferrari/}}</ref> In 2007, he received the ] for his sporting prowess and his humanitarian record.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Michael Schumacher, Prince of Asturias Award for Sports 2007|url=https://www.fpa.es/en/princess-of-asturias-awards/laureates/2007-michael-schumacher.html|access-date=30 August 2021|publisher=Prince of Asturias Foundation|archive-date=14 May 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220514160740/https://www.fpa.es/en/princess-of-asturias-awards/laureates/2007-michael-schumacher.html}}</ref> Together with Sebastian Vettel, Schumacher won the ] Nations' Cup six times in a row for Germany, from 2007 to 2012.<ref>{{Cite web|title=This is ROC|url=https://www.raceofchampions.com/this-is-roc|access-date=1 September 2021|publisher=Race of Champions|archive-date=20 May 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220520200220/https://www.raceofchampions.com/this-is-roc}}</ref> In 2017, Schumacher was inducted into the ] and ].<ref>{{Cite web|last=Pryson|first=Mike|date=6 December 2017|title=F1 legend Michael Schumacher's absence felt at inaugural FIA Hall of Fame inductions|url=http://autoweek.com/racing/formula-1/a1836476/1-legend-fmichael-schumachers-absence-felt-inaugural-fia-hall-fame-inductions/|access-date=22 February 2021|website=Autoweek|archive-date=13 August 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210813041944/https://www.autoweek.com/racing/formula-1/a1836476/1-legend-fmichael-schumachers-absence-felt-inaugural-fia-hall-fame-inductions/}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Der Formel-1-Rekordweltmeister|url=https://www.hall-of-fame-sport.de/mitglieder/detail/Michael-Schumacher|access-date=1 March 2021|publisher=Stiftung Deutsche Sporthilfe|language=de|archive-date=31 May 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220531180138/https://www.hall-of-fame-sport.de/mitglieder/detail/Michael-Schumacher}}</ref> In 2020, Jean Todt honoured Schumacher with the FIA President Award, in recognition of Schumacher's seven World Championships and the "inspiration his sporting and personal commitments brought to the world".<ref>{{Cite web|date=19 December 2020|title=FIA Gala: Michael Schumacher honored – Corinna Schumacher's emotional appearance|url=https://newsabc.net/fia-gala-michael-schumacher-honored-corinna-schumachers-emotional-appearance/|access-date=20 February 2021|website=NewsABC.net|archive-date=13 August 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210813041942/https://newsabc.net/fia-gala-michael-schumacher-honored-corinna-schumachers-emotional-appearance/}}</ref> | |||
== Honours == | |||
] were renamed after Schumacher in 2007]] | |||
Schumacher was honoured many times during his career. In April 2002, for his contributions to sport and his contributions in raising awareness of child education, he was named as one of the UNESCO Champions for sport,<ref name="UNESCO">{{cite web | url=http://portal.unesco.org/en/ev.php-URL_ID=24019&URL_DO=DO_TOPIC&URL_SECTION=201.html | title= Michael Schumacher UNESCO Champion for sport | date=April 2002 | publisher=}}</ref> joining the other eight which include ], ] and ]. He won the ] award twice, in 2002 and 2004 for his performances in the {{F1|2001}} and {{F1|2003}} seasons respectively. He also received nominations for the 2001, 2003, 2005 and 2007 awards.<ref name="laureus-award Michael Schumacher">{{cite web| url = http://www.laureus.com/winners?q=node/821| title = Michael Schumacher| accessdate =18 April 2007|year=2006| work=Laureus | publisher=Laureus World Sport Awards Limited |archivedate=28 September 2007 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20070928063322/http://www.laureus.com/winners?q=node/821 }}</ref> He shares the record for having the second-most nominations for the award with ] with six nominations, and is eclipsed only by ] who has been nominated seven times. He holds the distinction of having the most nominations for a motorsport athlete, (] has been nominated only twice, ] three times, and ] five times) and being the only motorsport athlete to have won the award. | |||
In ], Schumacher was granted ],<ref>{{Cite web|last=Medina|first=Malagic|date=1 May 2014|title=Former US Senator Bob Dole and Michael Schumacher are Honorary Citizens of Sarajevo|url=http://www.sarajevotimes.com/former-us-senator-bob-dole-michael-schumacher-honorary-citizens-sarajevo/|access-date=24 February 2021|website=Sarajevo Times|archive-date=17 January 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220117105217/https://sarajevotimes.com/former-us-senator-bob-dole-michael-schumacher-honorary-citizens-sarajevo/}}</ref> while the Assembly of the ] renamed major city transversal street after him,<ref name="N1-Sarajevo">{{cite web|title=Sarajlije o nazivu ulice po Schumacheru: "On je prijatelj BiH, to je zaslužio"|url=https://ba.n1info.com/vijesti/sarajlije-o-nazivu-ulice-po-schumacheru-on-je-prijatelj-bih-to-je-zasluzio/|website=N1|access-date=1 June 2022|language=bs-BA|date=31 May 2022|archive-date=31 May 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220531150154/https://ba.n1info.com/vijesti/sarajlije-o-nazivu-ulice-po-schumacheru-on-je-prijatelj-bih-to-je-zasluzio/}}</ref> and earlier a large street ] was painted in a city neighborhood of ] by a group of artists.<ref name="N1-mural">{{cite web|title=Pogledajte kako izgleda mural posvećen Michaelu Schumacheru u Sarajevu|url=https://ba.n1info.com/vijesti/pogledajte-kako-izgleda-mural-posvecen-michaelu-schumacheru-u-sarajevu/|website=N1|access-date=1 June 2022|language=bs-BA|date=3 January 2022|archive-date=1 June 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220601114005/https://ba.n1info.com/vijesti/pogledajte-kako-izgleda-mural-posvecen-michaelu-schumacheru-u-sarajevu/}}</ref> Honorary citizenship was also granted by ], ], and ].<ref>{{Cite web|date=5 December 2006|title=Schumacher awarded honorary citizenship of Maranello|url=http://www.pitpass.com/30120/Schumacher-awarded-honorary-citizenship-of-Maranello|access-date=23 February 2021|publisher=Pitpass|archive-date=13 August 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210813041949/https://www.pitpass.com/30120/Schumacher-awarded-honorary-citizenship-of-Maranello}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=7 February 2001|title=Schumacher Cittadino Onorario di Modena|url=https://www.comune.modena.it/salastampa/archivio-comunicati-stampa/2001/2/schumacher-cittadino-onorario-di-modena|access-date=27 February 2021|publisher=Comune di Modena|language=it|archive-date=7 December 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211207210757/https://www.comune.modena.it/salastampa/archivio-comunicati-stampa/2001/2/schumacher-cittadino-onorario-di-modena}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Hallam|first=Mark|date=30 August 2012|title=Schumacher's Spa milestones, from zero to 300|url=https://www.dw.com/en/schumachers-spa-milestones-from-zero-to-300/a-16204593|access-date=23 February 2021|publisher=Deutsche Welle|archive-date=3 June 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220603175940/https://www.dw.com/en/schumachers-spa-milestones-from-zero-to-300/a-16204593}}</ref> He was appointed ],<ref>{{Cite news|date=29 April 2010|title=Légion d'honneur pour Schumacher|url=http://sport24.lefigaro.fr/auto-moto/formule-1/fil-info/legion-d-honneur-pour-schumacher-375191|access-date=22 February 2021|newspaper=Le Figaro|language=fr|archive-date=8 June 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220608132326/https://www.lefigaro.fr/sports/auto-moto/formule-1/fil-info/legion-d-honneur-pour-schumacher-375191}}</ref> was honoured with the ],<ref>{{Cite web|title=Schumacher Sig. Michael|url=https://www.quirinale.it/onorificenze/insigniti/91400|access-date=1 March 2021|website=Quirinale|language=it|archive-date=31 May 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220531185739/https://www.quirinale.it/onorificenze/insigniti/91400}}</ref> and was appointed an ambassador of ].<ref>{{Cite news|date=2 September 2003|title=Schumacher appointed ambassador of San Marino|website=Motorsport.com|url=http://www.motorsport.com/news/article.asp?ID=135649&FS=F1|access-date=17 March 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110606200052/http://www.motorsport.com/news/article.asp?ID=135649&FS=F1|archive-date=6 June 2011}}</ref> In 2008, the ] appointed Schumacher as the country's ambassador for ], hosted by Switzerland and Austria.<ref>{{Cite news|date=16 April 2007|title=Schumacher becomes Swiss football ambassador|publisher=GPUpdate.net|url=http://www.gpupdate.net/en/f1-news/148435/schumacher-becomes-swiss-football-ambassador/|access-date=1 February 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120426175619/http://www.gpupdate.net/en/f1-news/148435/schumacher-becomes-swiss-football-ambassador/|archive-date=26 April 2012}}</ref> In recognition of his contribution to Formula One, the ] renamed turns 9 and 10 as the Schumacher S in 2007.<ref>{{Cite news|date=21 July 2007|title=Schumacher honoured by having a corner named after him at Nurburgring|publisher=Formula One|url=http://www.formula1.com/news/features/2007/7/6506.html|access-date=21 July 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070903030625/http://www.formula1.com/news/features/2007/7/6506.html|archive-date=3 September 2007}}</ref> In 2014, the first corner of the ] was renamed in honour of Schumacher.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Andrew|first=Benson|date=2 March 2014|title=Bahrain circuit honours Schumacher|publisher=BBC Sport|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/formula1/26406971|access-date=24 February 2021|archive-date=23 September 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220923145028/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/formula1/26406971}}</ref> He was awarded the State Prize of ] in 2022.<ref>{{Cite web|date=21 June 2022|title=Michael Schumacher erhält Staatspreis des Landes Nordrhein-Westfalen|trans-title=Michael Schumacher receives the North Rhine-Westphalia State Prize|url=https://www.land.nrw/pressemitteilung/michael-schumacher-erhaelt-staatspreis-des-landes-nordrhein-westfalen|access-date=22 June 2022|website=Land.NRW|language=de|archive-date=21 June 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220621211640/https://www.land.nrw/pressemitteilung/michael-schumacher-erhaelt-staatspreis-des-landes-nordrhein-westfalen}}</ref><ref>{{Cite magazine|last=Mee|first=Lydia|date=29 December 2022|title=What Happened to Michael Schumacher and What Have We Heard Since?|url=https://www.si.com/fannation/racing/f1briefings/news/f1-news-what-happened-to-michael-schumacher-and-what-have-we-heard-since-lm22|access-date=10 February 2024|magazine=Sports Illustrated}}</ref> | |||
In honour of Schumacher's racing career and his efforts to improve safety and the sport, he was awarded an ] Gold Medal for Motor Sport in 2006.<ref>{{cite news | url = http://www.formula1.com/news/headlines/2006/12/5395.html | title = Schumacher honoured by the FIA | accessdate =15 December 2006 |date=11 December 2006 | publisher=The Official Formula 1 Website}}</ref> In 2007, in recognition of his contribution to Formula One racing, the ] racing track renamed turns 8 and 9 (the Audi and Shell Kurves) as the ''Schumacher S'',<ref>{{cite news | url = http://www.formula1.com/news/features/2007/7/6506.html | title = Schumacher honoured by having a corner named after him at Nurburgring | accessdate =21 July 2007 |date=21 July 2007 | publisher=Formula One}}</ref> and a month later he presented ] ] with the A1 World Cup at the ] of Motorsport 2007 awards ceremony.<ref>{{cite web | |||
| title =Michael Schumacher honours team Germany's A1GP success | work=f1.automoto365.com | publisher=A1GP |date=1 May 2007 | url=http://f1.automoto365.com/news/controller.php?lang=en&theme=default&month=5&year=2007&nextMode=GpNewsForm&news_id=25372| accessdate =7 May 2007}}</ref> He was nominated for the ] for 2007, which he won both for sporting prowess and for his humanitarian record.<ref>{{cite web | title =Prince of Asturias Awards' Michael Schumacher page | url=http://www.fundacionprincipedeasturias.org/ing/04/premiados/trayectorias/trayectoria822.html}}</ref><ref name="astjury2007">{{cite web | url=http://www.fundacionprincipedeasturias.org/ing/04/premios/premios6_2007.html | title= Asturias Jury report | date=5 September 2007 | publisher=}}</ref> | |||
==Karting record== | |||
In 2008, the ] appointed Schumacher as the Swiss ambassador for the ].<ref>{{cite news |url = http://www.gpupdate.net/en/f1-news/148435/schumacher-becomes-swiss-football-ambassador/ | title = Schumacher becomes Swiss football ambassador | accessdate =1 February 2011 |date=16 April 2007 | publisher=GPUpdate.net}}</ref> | |||
===Karting career summary=== | |||
{| class="wikitable" style="font-size: 85%; text-align:center" | |||
On 30 April 2010, Schumacher was honored with the Officier of ] title from French prime minister ].<ref>{{cite news |url = http://english.ruvr.ru/2010/04/30/7127906.html | title = Légion d'honneur for Shumacher | accessdate =3 May 2010 |date=30 April 2010 | publisher=The Voice Of Russia}}</ref> | |||
!Season | |||
!Series | |||
== Controversy == | |||
!Team | |||
!Position | |||
=== Championship-deciding collisions === | |||
Going into the ], the final race of the ], Schumacher led ] by a single point in the Drivers' Championship. Schumacher led the race from the beginning, but on lap 35 he went off track and hit the wall with his right side wheels,<ref name="autosportcrashes">{{cite news | title = | |||
Schumacher 500: Has the King Lost His Crown? | work=Autosport |first = Ville |last = Kopu |coauthors = Nottmeier, Jan | url = http://atlasf1.autosport.com/98/ger/schum.html | accessdate =24 October 2006}}</ref> returning to the track at reduced speed, and with car damage, but still leading the race. At the next corner Hill attempted to pass on the inside, but Schumacher turned in sharply and they collided. Both cars were eliminated from the race and, as neither driver scored, Schumacher took the title.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/motorsport/formula_one/7951521.stm|title=Classic F1 – Australian Grand Prix 1994|date=23 March 2009|publisher=BBC |accessdate=24 March 2009}} Coverage of the collision occurs between 02:14 and 03:30.</ref> The race stewards judged it a racing accident and took no action against either driver, but public opinion is divided over the incident, and Schumacher was vilified in the ].<ref name="Molinaro">{{cite news | title = | |||
Top 10 Michael Schumacher Moments | publisher=CBC Sports |first = John F. |last = Molinaro|date=12 September 2006 | url = http://www.cbc.ca/sports/indepth/10-schumacher-momments.html | accessdate =3 November 2006}}</ref><ref>{{cite book | last = Henry | first = Alan | title = Wheel to Wheel: Great Duels of Formula One Racing | origyear = 1996 | accessdate =29 October 2006 | edition = | publisher=Weidenfeld Nicolson Illustrated | isbn = 0-7538-0522-7 | pages = 117 | year = 1998}}</ref><ref>{{cite news | title = Now we are 76...: Murray Walker | publisher=grandprix.com|date=18 October 1999 | url = http://www.grandprix.com/ft/ft00341.html | accessdate =30 November 2007}}</ref> | |||
At the ] at ], the last race of the ], Schumacher led Williams' ] by one point in the Drivers' Championship. As Villeneuve attempted to pass Schumacher at the Dry Sack corner on lap 48, Schumacher turned in and the right-front wheel of Schumacher's Ferrari hit the left sidepod of Villeneuve's car. Schumacher retired from the race as a result but Villeneuve finished in third place, taking four points and so becoming the World Champion.<ref name="autosportcrashes"/> The race stewards did not award any penalty, but two weeks after the race Schumacher was disqualified from the entire 1997 drivers' championship after an ] disciplinary hearing found that his "manoeuvre was an instinctive reaction and although deliberate not made with malice or premeditation. It was a serious error."<ref name="fia97verdict" /> Schumacher accepted the decision<ref name="schudisq">{{cite news | title = Schumacher loses championship runner-up crown |publisher=BBC News |date=11 November 1997 | url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/29895.stm | accessdate =24 October 2006}}</ref> and admitted having made a mistake.<ref name="1997grandprixcom"/> Schumacher's actions were widely condemned in British, German, and Italian newspapers.<ref name="Molinaro"/><ref name="1997grandprixcom">{{cite news | title = The lost honor of Michael Schumacher | publisher=GrandPrix.com |date=3 November 1997 | url = http://www.grandprix.com/ns/ns01331.html | accessdate =24 October 2006}}</ref> This made Schumacher the only driver in the history of the sport, {{as of|2012|lc=on}}, to be disqualified from a Driver's World Championship,<ref>{{cite news | title = CALLING TIME ON A CAREER | publisher=itv-f1.com| url = http://www.itv-f1.com/Feature.aspx?Type=James_Allen&PO_ID=37290 | accessdate =15 December 2007}}</ref> although the McLaren team was disqualified from the 2007 Constructor’s Championship and fined $100m for illegal possession of Ferrari technical information.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/motorsport/formula_one/6991147.stm|title=McLaren hit by constructors' ban|publisher=BBC Sport |date=13 September 2007|accessdate=27 January 2011}}</ref> | |||
=== Team orders === | |||
] makes way for Schumacher at the end of the ].]] | |||
Historically, ] have always been an accepted part of Formula One. However, in the final metres of the ], Schumacher's teammate, ], slowed his car under orders from Ferrari to allow Schumacher to pass and win the race.<ref name="bbcaustria">{{cite news | title = Schumacher steals Austrian win |publisher=BBC Sport |date=12 May 2002 | url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/motorsport/formula_one/1982612.stm | accessdate =24 October 2006}}</ref> Although the switching of positions did not break any actual sporting or technical regulation, it angered fans and it was claimed that the team's actions showed a lack of sportsmanship and respect to the spectators. Many argued that Schumacher did not need to be "given" wins in only the 6th race of the season, particularly given that he had already won 4 of the previous 5 grands prix, and that Barrichello had dominated the race weekend up to that point. At the podium ceremony, Schumacher pushed Barrichello onto the top step,<ref name="bbcaustria"/> and for this disturbance, the Ferrari team incurred a US $1 million fine.<ref>{{cite news | title = Record fine for Turks |agency=Reuters | url = http://www.eurosport.co.uk/formula1/sport_sto967344.shtml | accessdate =24 October 2006}}</ref> Later in the season at the end of the ], Schumacher slowed down within sight of the finishing line, allowing Barrichello to win by 0.011 seconds, the 2nd closest margin in F1 history. Schumacher's explanation varied between it being him "returning the favour" for Austria (now that Schumacher's title was secure), or trying to engineer a dead-heat (a feat derided as near-impossible in a sport where timings are taken to within a thousandth of a second).<ref>{{cite news | first = Jonathan | last = Legard | authorlink = Jonathan Legard | url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/motorsport/formula_one/2287699.stm | title = Ferrari's own goal |publisher=BBC |work=BBC Sport | date = 30 September 2002 | accessdate =28 February 2009}}</ref> The FIA subsequently banned "Team orders which interfere with the race result",<ref>{{cite news | title = Formula One closes door on team orders | work=USA Today |date=28 October 2002 | url = http://www.usatoday.com/sports/motor/formula1/2002-10-28-changes_x.htm |first = Stephen |last = Wade | accessdate =28 October 2006}}</ref><ref>{{cite press release | title = F1 Commission declaration | publisher=FIA |date=28 October 2002 | url = http://www.fia.com/gate?action=retrievePage&locale=en_GB&PageID=331368089&printer=on | accessdate =30 October 2006}}</ref> but the ban was lifted for the 2011 season because the ruling was difficult to enforce.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/motorsport/formula_one/9275796.stm|title=F1 chiefs drop the ban on team orders in new rules|publisher=BBC Sport |date=10 December 2010|accessdate=27 January 2011}}</ref> | |||
=== Dangerous driving === | |||
During his spell in ], in the 1991 Sportscar World Championship, Schumacher was involved in a serious incident with ] in that year's ]. While trying to set his flying lap in qualifying, Schumacher encountered Warwick's ] on a slow lap resulting in lost time for Schumacher. As retaliation for being in his way, Schumacher swerved the Sauber into Warwick's car, hitting the Jaguar's nose and front wheel. Enraged by the German's attitude, Warwick drove to the pits and chased a fleeing Schumacher on foot through the Sauber pits. He eventually caught up with Schumacher, and it took intervention from ] to prevent Warwick physically assaulting Schumacher.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.autosport.com/journal/article.php/id/347/|title=Schumacher at Sauber|publisher=Autosport |date=February 2005|accessdate=17 December 2012|first=Gary|last=Watkins}}</ref> | |||
Toward the end of the ], ] attempted to pass Schumacher down the inside on the main straight. Schumacher closed the inside line to force Barrichello onto the outside, but Barrichello persisted on the inside at {{convert|180|mph|km/h|abbr=on}}, despite the close proximity of a concrete wall and Schumacher leaving him only inches to spare. Barrichello said ‘It is the most dangerous thing that I have been through’, and ‘There is not a rule for that but between ourselves we should take a line, stick to it and that's it.’ Schumacher said that ‘Obviously there was space enough to go through. We didn't touch, so I guess I just left enough space for him to come through.’ Ross Brawn said ‘at the end of the day he gave him enough space. You can argue that it was marginal, but it was just tough – tough racing.’ A range of ex-drivers and commentators were highly critical of Schumacher. Although there was no accident, the race steward, the same Derek Warwick of the 1991 Nürburgring incident, wanted to black flag Schumacher since that "would have shown a better example to our young drivers". The Hungaroring incident was ruled to be dangerous and Schumacher received a 10 place grid penalty for the ]. Schumacher accepted the decision, and apologised.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/motorsport/formula_one/8875370.stm|title=Schumacher punished for dangerous move on Barrichello|publisher=BBC Sport |date=1 August 2010|accessdate=2 August 2010|first=Richard|last=Rae}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/motorsport/formulaone/michael-schumacher/7922228/Michael-Schumacher-defended-by-Ross-Brawn-after-Rubens-Barrichello-near-miss.html|work=The Daily Telegraph |location=UK|date=2 August 2010|accessdate=27 January 2011|title=Michael Schumacher defended by Ross Brawn after Rubens Barrichello near-miss}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://en.espnf1.com/hungary/motorsport/story/25330.html|title=Schumacher apologises to Barrichello|publisher=ESPN F1|date=2 August 2010|accessdate=27 January 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://en.espnf1.com/f1/motorsport/story/25188.html|title= Rubens fumes at 'dangerous' Schumacher move|publisher=ESPN F1|date=1 August 2010|accessdate=27 January 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.f1technical.net/news/15260|title=Mercedes GP leave Budapest empty handed|date=1 August 2010|accessdate=27 January 2011|publisher=F1Technical.net}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://en.espnf1.com/f1/motorsport/story/25393.html|title=Schumacher lucky not to be disqualified – Warwick|publisher=ESPN |date=3 August 2010|accessdate=17 December 2012}}</ref> | |||
=== Other incidents === | |||
In 1995, Schumacher and Williams driver ] were disqualified for fuel irregularities, after a switch to Renault engines and Elf oils.<ref>{{cite web|title=Exclusion of Car No.1 (Schumacher/Benetton) and Car No. 6 (Coulthard/Williams) from the results of the Brazilian Grand Prix|url=http://www.fia.com/resources/documents/314726189__29_03_1995_F1_BRA_GP_Fuel.pdf|publisher=FIA|date=29 March 1995|accessdate=22 October 2012}}</ref> On appeal, both drivers had their results and points reinstated, but both teams lost the points the results would normally have earned in the constructors championship.<ref>{{cite book | chapter = 1995 Grands Prix: Brazilian Grand Prix | last = Henry | first = Alan | authorlink = Alan Henry | title = ] 1995–96 | origyear = 1995 | publisher = Hazleton Publishing | isbn = 1-874557-36-5 | pages = 90 |date=December 1995 }}</ref> | |||
The 1998 Canadian Grand Prix saw Schumacher accused of dangerous driving when his exit from the pit-lane forced ] off the track and into retirement. Despite receiving a 10 second penalty, Schumacher recovered and won the race.<ref>{{cite news | title = 1998 Canadian Grand Prix | publisher=grandprix.com | url = http://www.grandprix.com/gpe/rr621.html | accessdate =1 July 2009}}</ref> | |||
Two laps from the finish of the ], Schumacher was leading the race when he was issued a stop-and-go penalty for overtaking a lapped car (]) during the early moments of a ] period. This penalty involves going into the pit lane and stopping for 10 seconds, and the rules state that a driver must serve his penalty within three laps of the penalty being issued. On the third lap after receiving the penalty, Schumacher turned into the pit lane to serve his penalty, but as this was the last lap of the race, and as Ferrari's pit box was located after the start/finish line, Schumacher technically finished the race before serving the penalty. The stewards initially resolved that problem by adding 10 seconds to Schumacher's race time, then later rescinded the penalty completely due to the irregularities in how the penalty had been issued.<ref>{{cite news | title = British Grand Prix Review | work=Autosport | url = http://atlasf1.autosport.com/98/bri/burley.html | accessdate =24 October 2006}}</ref> | |||
In the ], Schumacher was involved in a race-ending collision whilst trying to lap ] in heavy spray. After the race he stormed into the ] garage and accused Coulthard of trying to kill him, and McLaren and Ferrari team members had to separate the drivers. Coulthard admitted some 5 years later that the accident had been his mistake.<ref name="spa98">{{cite news | title = Crash was my fault, Coulthard admits |agency=Reuters |date=7 June 2003 | url = http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2003/07/06/1057430084085.html | accessdate =28 September 2006 | work=Sydney Morning Herald}}</ref> | |||
During qualifying for the ] Schumacher set the fastest time, but stopped his car in the Rascasse corner on the racing line, leaving the corner partially blocked, while his main contender for the season title, ], was on his final qualifying lap. Schumacher stated that he simply locked up the wheels going into the corner and that the car then stalled while he attempted to reverse out.<ref name="monacopole">{{cite news | title = | |||
Schumacher is stripped of pole | publisher=The Official Formula 1 Website |date=27 May 2006 | url = http://www.formula1.com/news/headlines/2006/5/4430.html | accessdate =24 October 2006}}</ref> Alonso believed he would have been on pole if the incident had not happened,<ref>{{cite news | title = Post-qualifying press conference – Monaco | publisher=The Official Formula 1 Website |date=27 May 2006 | url = http://www.formula1.com/race/news/4428/757.html | accessdate =24 October 2006 |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20060906110504/http://www.formula1.com/race/news/4428/757.html |archivedate = 6 September 2006}}</ref> and Schumacher was stripped of pole position by the race stewards and started the race at the back of the grid.<ref name="monacopole"/> In the same qualifying session, ] was similarly found to have blocked ] from improving his time, but Fisichella was only demoted five places on the grid.<ref name="fisichella-drop">{{cite web|url=http://www.formula1.com/race/news/4429/757.html|title=Fisichella punished by stewards|date=27 May 2006|publisher=Formula One official site |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20061019043940/http://www.formula1.com/race/news/4429/757.html |archivedate=19 October 2006}}</ref> | |||
At the ], the safety car was deployed after an accident, involving ] and ], and pulled into the pits on the last lap. Schumacher passed Alonso before the finish line. Mercedes held that "the combination of the race control messages ‘Safety Car in this lap’ and ‘Track Clear’ and the green flags and lights shown by the marshals after safety car line one indicated that the race was not finishing under the safety car and all drivers were free to race. This opinion appears to have been shared by the majority of the teams with cars in the top ten positions who also gave their drivers instructions to race to the finish line."<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/motorsport/formula_one/8690323.stm|title=Mercedes rule out appeal against Schumacher penalty|publisher=BBC Sport |date=18 May 2010|accessdate=27 January 2011}}</ref> However an FIA investigation found Schumacher guilty of breaching Safety Car regulations and awarded him a 20-seconds penalty, which cost him 6 places. | |||
== Personal life == | |||
{{Infobox person | |||
|name = Michael Schumacher | |||
|image = Michael Schumacher.jpg | |||
|image_size = 200px | |||
|caption = Michael Schumacher in 2007 | |||
|birth_name = | |||
|birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1969|01|03|df=yes}} | |||
|birth_place = ], ] | |||
|salary = | |||
|nationality = ] | |||
|occupation = Racing driver, philanthropist | |||
|religion = ] | |||
|spouse = {{marriage|Corinna Betsch|1995|}} | |||
|relatives = ] (brother)<br>] (stepbrother) | |||
|children = two | |||
|signature = Michael Schumacher Signature.svg | |||
|website = | |||
}} | |||
Schumacher's younger brother ] was a Formula One driver until the end of 2007.<ref name="schumacher hof" /> Their stepbrother ] has also been a racing driver.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://grandprix.com/ns/ns05169.html|title=Schumacher half-brother looking for racing action|publisher=Granprix.com|date=20 November 2001|accessdate=19 December 2008}}</ref> | |||
In August 1995, Michael married Corinna Betsch.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://fabwags.com/?p=16810 |title=Michael and Corinna Schumacher|accessdate=2013-12-11 |date=December 2013}}</ref> They have two children, a girl born in 1997 and a son born in 1999. He has always been very protective of his private life<ref>{{cite news | title = Who is the real Schumacher? |publisher=BBC Sport |first = Sarah |last = Holt |date=22 October 2006 | url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/motorsport/formula_one/6047606.stm | accessdate =22 October 2006}}</ref> and is known to dislike the celebrity spotlight, preferring a simple life. The family moved to a house near ] in 2007, a {{convert|650|m2|adj=on}} mansion with its own underground garage and petrol station, situated on a private beach on ].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/news/article526160.ece|title=Schuey vrooms into £30m home|work=The Sun|date=30 November 2007|accessdate=3 November 2008}}</ref> The family has two dogs – one stray that Corinna fell in love with in Brazil, and an ] named "Ed" whose entrance to the family made headlines. Schumacher personally drove a taxi through the Bavarian town of ] after collecting the dog, enabling the family to catch their return flight to Switzerland.<ref>{{cite news | title = Taxi for Schumacher |publisher=BBC Sport | date = 12 December 2007 | url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/motorsport/7139910.stm | accessdate =12 December 2007 }}</ref> Both Schumacher and the taxi driver were reprimanded by local police.<ref>{{cite news | title = Police fuming over Schumacher's taxi race |agency=Agence France-Presse | date = 15 December 2007 | url = http://afp.google.com/article/ALeqM5htQcoA4DHAjxSpEcWPxeQYQbSNjA | accessdate =30 March 2008 }}</ref> | |||
One of his main hobbies is horse riding, and he plays ] for his local team ]. He has appeared in several charity football games<ref name="fifa-charity football">{{cite news |title = FIFA Fair Play: Playing for a better world |url = http://www.fifa.com/en/fairplay/index/0,1255,104749,00.html?articleid=104749 |publisher=FIFA |date=16 December 2004 |accessdate =25 October 2006 |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20060918063721/http://www.fifa.com/en/fairplay/index/0,1255,104749,00.html?articleid=104749 |archivedate = 18 September 2006}}</ref> and organised games between Formula One drivers.<ref name="schumacher retirement response thoughts">{{cite news |title = Thoughts on Schumacher |url =http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/motorsport/formula_one/5330382.stm |publisher=BBC Sport |date=10 September 2006 |accessdate =25 October 2006}}</ref> He is a fan of ] and ]. | |||
On 23 June 2003, Schumacher was appointed as an ] for the ].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.esteri.sm/on-line/en/Home/DiplomaticandConsularCorps/DiplomaticandConsularRepresentationsofSanMarinoatlarge.html|title=Diplomatic and Consular Representations of San Marino at large|publisher=]|accessdate=17 March 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.motorsport.com/news/article.asp?ID=135649&FS=F1|title=Schumacher appointed ambassador of San Marino|date=2 September 2003|publisher=]|accessdate=17 March 2010}}</ref> | |||
Schumacher is a special ambassador to ] and has donated 1.5 million euros to the organization.<ref name="unesco-champion for sport">{{cite web| url = http://portal.unesco.org/en/ev.php-URL_ID=6691&URL_DO=DO_TOPIC&URL_SECTION=201.html| title = Michael Schumacher, a UNESCO champion| accessdate =25 October 2006|year=2002| publisher=UNESCO}}</ref> Additionally, he paid for the construction of a school for poor children and for area improvements in ], Senegal. He supports a hospital for child victims of war in ], which specialises in caring for amputees. In ], Peru he funded the "Palace for the Poor", a centre for helping homeless street children obtain an education, clothing, food, medical attention, and shelter. He stated his interest in these various efforts was piqued both by his love for children and the fact that these causes had received little attention. While an exact figure for the amount of money he has donated throughout his life is unknown, it is known that in his last four years as a driver, he donated at least $50 million.<ref name="donated50mil"/> In 2008, it was revealed that he had donated between $5M and $10M to the ] of ].<ref name="Clinton Foundation Donors">{{cite news |title = Clinton Foundation Donors |url =http://online.wsj.com/public/resources/documents/st_clintondonor_20081218.html |work=The Wall Street Journal|date=18 December 2008 |accessdate =18 December 2008}}</ref> | |||
Since his participation in an FIA European road safety campaign, as part of his punishment after the collision at the ], Schumacher continued to support other campaigns, such as ], which is led by the FIA Foundation and calls on ] countries and the UN to recognise global road deaths as a major global health issue. In 2008, Schumacher was the figurehead of an advertising campaign by ] to raise awareness about responsible drinking, with a focus on communicating an international message 'drinking and driving don't mix'. He featured in an advertising campaign for television, cinema and online media, supported by consumer engagements, public relations and digital media across the world.<ref name="drinkdrive">{{cite news | title = Schumacher puts the brakes on drink-driving |work=The Guardian |location=UK | date = 4 July 2008 | url = http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2008/jul/04/advertising.formulaone | accessdate =30 January 2009| location=London| first=Mark| last=Sweney}}</ref> | |||
On the eve of the ], on behalf of Fiat, Schumacher presented a ] to the ] ] at ].<ref>{{cite news|title = When Schumacher met Sachin! |url =http://www.rediff.com/cricket/2002/jul/23slide.htm |publisher=Rediff Cricket Online|date=23 July 2002|accessdate =24 July 2002}}</ref> | |||
On 21 June 2009, Schumacher appeared on the ]'s motoring programme '']'' as ].<ref name="Stig">{{cite news |title = Schumacher 'revealed' as the Stig |url =http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/8111588.stm |publisher=BBC Online |date=21 June 2009 |accessdate =22 June 2009}}</ref> Presenter ] hinted later in the programme that Schumacher was not the regular Stig, and the BBC has since confirmed that this is the case. Schumacher was there on that occasion because Ferrari would not allow anyone else to drive the one-of-a-kind black ] which was featured in the show.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://en.f1-live.com/f1/en/headlines/news/detail/090622092912.shtml |title=F1 : Schumacher completes a stint as Top Gear Stig - SCHUMACHER - F1-Live.com |publisher=En.f1-live.com |accessdate=8 August 2009}}</ref> The FXX was presented to Schumacher upon his retirement at Monza in 2006. | |||
During his interview with Clarkson, Schumacher stated that his road cars are a ], and a ] which is his family car.<ref>{{Cite episode|title=Series 13, Episode 1|series=Top Gear|serieslink=Top Gear (series 13)|network=]|airdate=12 June 2009}}</ref> | |||
=== Finance and sponsorship === | |||
In 2004, ''Forbes'' magazine listed him as the 2nd highest paid athlete in the world.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.forbes.com/2004/06/23/04athletesland.html |title=The Best-Paid Athletes |work=Forbes |accessdate=8 August 2009 |date=24 June 2004}}</ref> In 2005, ''Eurobusiness'' magazine identified Schumacher as the world's first billionaire athlete. His 2004 salary was reported to be around US $80 million.<ref name="schumacher pay">{{cite news |first = Angus |last = Reid |title = Sports: How Big Is Too Big? |url=http://thetyee.ca/Mediacheck/2006/07/11/TrendWatch/ |work=Mediacheck |publisher=thetyee.ca |date=11 July 2006 |accessdate =24 October 2006}} Forbes magazine has not yet included him on its . More recently other sources have estimated his net worth in 2006 somewhat lower, www.f1i.com reports that it 'surpassed $800M'. {{cite news |title = Retired Schu to earn $26 m in 2007 – report |url = http://www.f1i.com/content/view/5215/32/ |publisher=f1i.com |date=18 September 2006 |accessdate =23 January 2007 |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20070506145347/http://www.f1i.com/content/view/5215/32/ |archivedate = 6 May 2007}}</ref> ] ranked him 17th in its "The World's Most Powerful Celebrities" list.<ref name="forbes celeb 100 2005">{{cite news| url = http://forbes.com/lists/2005/53/Rank_1.html | title = The Celebrity 100| accessdate =25 October 2006|year=2005|work=Forbes}}</ref> A significant share of his income came from advertising. For example, ] paid him $8 million over three years from 1999 for wearing a 10 by 8 centimetre advertisement on his post-race cap.<ref>{{cite news | title = MOT: Schumacher slaps $11.9 m price on his head | publisher=AAP Sports News |date=11 November 1999 | url = http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P1-24009938.html | accessdate =24 October 2006}}</ref> The deal was extended until 2010.<ref>{{cite news | title = Schumacher's sponsor extends contract | publisher=GPUpdate.net |date=31 August 2005 | url = http://www.gpupdate.net/en/f1-news/96638/schumacher-s-sponsor-extends-contract/ | accessdate =1 February 2011}}</ref> He donated $10 million for aid after the ].<ref name="cnn-tsunami relief">{{cite news |title = Schumacher donates $10 m relief aid |url = http://edition.cnn.com/2005/SPORT/01/04/tsunami.relief/index.html |publisher=CNN | |||
|date=4 January 2005 |accessdate =24 October 2006}}</ref> His donation surpassed that of any other sports person, most sports leagues, many worldwide corporations and even some countries.<ref name="si-sportsman of the year">{{cite news| url = http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2005/magazine/specials/sportsman/2005/11/11/michael.schumacher/index.html | title = My Sportsman: Michael Schumacher| accessdate =25 October 2006| last = McAllister| first = Mike|date=11 November 2005| work=2005 Sportsman of the Year}}</ref> Schumacher's bodyguard Burkhard Cramer and Cramer's two sons were killed in the tsunami.<ref></ref> | |||
In 2010, his personal fortune was estimated at £515 million.<ref> – ESPN F1</ref> He reportedly received a salary of £21 million each year from the Mercedes team, plus a further £9 million in endorsements.<ref name="30m comeback">{{cite news|url=http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/formulaone/article-1260700/The-30m-man-Michael-Schumacher-leaves-rivals-shade-mega-pay-deal.html|title=The £30m man: Michael Schumacher leaves his rivals in the shade with mega pay deal|work=Daily Mail |location=UK|accessdate=7 April 2010|date=26 March 2010|first=Jonathan|last=McEvoy}}</ref> | |||
=== 2013 skiing accident === | |||
On 29 December 2013, Schumacher was skiing with his 14-year-old son Mick descending the Combe de Saulire below the ] above ] in the ]. While crossing on unsecured off-piste area between two Piste Chamoix and Piste Maudit <ref> | |||
{{cite web | |||
| url = http://mitteleuropa.X10.mx/misc_newmaterial.html#schumacher | |||
| title = Michael Schumacher's Skiing Accident in Méribel - Locations | |||
| work = | |||
| publisher = | |||
| dateformat = | |||
| accessdate = 24 February 2014 | |||
}} | |||
</ref> he fell and hit his head on a rock, sustaining a head injury despite wearing a ]. According to his physicians, Schumacher would most likely have died had he not been wearing a helmet.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/111982|title=Helmet helped protect Michael Schumacher in skiing accident|last=Noble|first=Jonathan|date=30 December 2013|work=Autosport|publisher=Haymarket Publishing|accessdate=30 December 2013}}</ref> | |||
Schumacher was put into a medically ] due to suffering a ] and was maintained in that coma through January 2014.<ref name=Autosport-postop>{{cite news|url=http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/111981|title=Doctors say Michael Schumacher's condition 'extremely serious'|last=Noble|first=Jonathan|date=30 December 2013|work=Autosport|publisher=Haymarket Publishing|accessdate=30 December 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.smh.com.au/sport/motorsport/michael-schumacher-fate-uncertain-a-month-after-ski-fall-20140129-31lhr.html |title=Michael Schumacher's Fate Uncertain a Month After Ski Fall |publisher='']'' |date=29 January 2014 |accessdate=29 January 2014}}</ref> Towards the end of January, doctors at ] University Hospital began trying to gradually bring Schumacher out of his induced coma.<ref name="Guardian20140130">{{cite news|url=http://www.theguardian.com/sport/2014/jan/30/michael-schumacher-brought-out-induced-coma|title=Michael Schumacher being brought out of induced coma, says manager|last=Oltermann|first=Philip|date=30 January 2014|work=The Guardian|accessdate=12 February 2014}}</ref> | |||
== Racing record == | |||
=== Career summary === | |||
{| class="wikitable" style="font-size: 90%; text-align:center" | |||
! Season | |||
! Series | |||
! Team | |||
! Races | |||
! Wins | |||
! Poles | |||
! F/Laps | |||
! Podiums | |||
! Points | |||
! Position | |||
|- | |- | ||
!rowspan= |
! rowspan="2" |1984 | ||
| align="left" |] – ] | |||
|align=left| European ] 1600 | |||
| |
| align="left" | | ||
| |
| NC | ||
| 1 | |||
| 1 | |||
| 0 | |||
| 3 | |||
| 50 | |||
|bgcolor="#DFDFDF"| '''2nd''' | |||
|- | |- | ||
|align=left| German |
| align="left" |] – Junior | ||
| align="left" | | |||
| 7 | |||
| style="background:#FFFFBF;" |'''1st''' | |||
| 3 | |||
| 0 | |||
| 0 | |||
| 5 | |||
| 124 | |||
| 6th | |||
|- | |- | ||
! rowspan="2" |1985 | |||
|align=left| ] | |||
| align="left" |] – ] | |||
|align=left| Hoecker Sportwagenservice | |||
| align="left" | | |||
| 10 | |||
| style="background:#DFDFDF;" |'''2nd''' | |||
| 9 | |||
| 1 | |||
| 1 | |||
| 10 | |||
| 192 | |||
|bgcolor="#FBFFBF"| '''1st''' | |||
|- | |- | ||
| align="left" |] – Junior | |||
!rowspan=3| 1989 | |||
| align="left" | | |||
|align=left| ] | |||
| style="background:#FFFFBF;" |'''1st''' | |||
|rowspan=3 align=left| WTS Racing | |||
| 12 | |||
| 2 | |||
| 2 | |||
| 0 | |||
| 7 | |||
| 163 | |||
|bgcolor="#FFDF9F"| '''3rd''' | |||
|- | |- | ||
! 1986 | |||
|align=left| ] | |||
| align="left" |] – Senior | |||
| 1 | |||
| align="left" | | |||
| 0 | |||
| style="background:#FFDF9F;" |'''3rd''' | |||
| 0 | |||
| 0 | |||
| 0 | |||
| N/A | |||
| NC | |||
|- | |- | ||
! rowspan="2" |1987 | |||
|align=left| ] | |||
| align="left" |] – Senior | |||
| 1 | |||
| align="left" | | |||
| 0 | |||
| style="background:#FFFFBF;" |'''1st''' | |||
| 0 | |||
| 0 | |||
| 0 | |||
| N/A | |||
| NC | |||
|- | |- | ||
| align="left" |] – 100cc | |||
!rowspan=5| 1990 | |||
| align="left" | | |||
|align=left| ] | |||
| style="background:#FFFFBF;" |'''1st''' | |||
|align=left| ] | |||
| 3 | |||
| 1 | |||
| 0 | |||
| 1 | |||
| 3 | |||
| 21 | |||
| 5th | |||
|- | |- | ||
! 1994 | |||
|align=left| ] | |||
| |
| align="left" |] – F1 Stars | ||
| align="left" | | |||
| 11 | |||
| style="background:#FFFFBF;" |'''1st''' | |||
| 5 | |||
| 6 | |||
| 4 | |||
| 7 | |||
| 148 | |||
|bgcolor="#FBFFBF"| '''1st''' | |||
|- | |- | ||
! rowspan="2" |1996 | |||
|align=left| ] | |||
| align="left" |] – ] | |||
| 1 | |||
| align="left" | | |||
| 0 | |||
| style="background:#FFFFBF;" |'''1st''' | |||
| 1 | |||
| 1 | |||
| 0 | |||
| N/A | |||
| NC | |||
|- | |- | ||
|align=left |
| align="left" |] – ] | ||
| align="left" | | |||
| 1 | |||
| style="background:#FFFFBF;" |'''1st''' | |||
| 1 | |||
| 0 | |||
| 0 | |||
| 0 | |||
| N/A | |||
|bgcolor="#FBFFBF"| '''1st''' | |||
|- | |- | ||
! 2001 | |||
|align=left| ] | |||
| align="left" |] – ] | |||
|align=left| ] | |||
| align="left" |Tony Kart | |||
| 1 | |||
| |
| 21st | ||
| 0 | |||
| 0 | |||
| 0 | |||
| 0 | |||
| NC | |||
|- | |- | ||
! 2007 | |||
!rowspan=5| 1991 | |||
| |
| align="left" |] | ||
| align="left" | | |||
|align=left| ] ] ] | |||
| style="background:#FFFFBF;" |'''1st''' | |||
| 1 | |||
| 0 | |||
| 0 | |||
| 0 | |||
| 0 | |||
| 0 | |||
|rowspan=2| 14th | |||
|- | |- | ||
! 2008 | |||
|align=left| ] ] | |||
| align="left" |] | |||
| 5 | |||
| align="left" | | |||
| 0 | |||
| |
| 8th | ||
| 0 | |||
| 0 | |||
| 4 | |||
|- | |- | ||
! rowspan=2|2009 | |||
|align=left| ] | |||
|align=left |
| align="left" |SKUSA SuperNationals – SuperPro | ||
| align="left" | | |||
| 8 | |||
| 1 | |||
| 0 | |||
| 2 | |||
| 2 | |||
| 43 | |||
| 9th | | 9th | ||
|- | |- | ||
|align=left |
| align="left" |] | ||
|align=left |
| align="left" | | ||
| style="background:#FFFFBF;" |'''1st''' | |||
| 2 | |||
| 0 | |||
| 0 | |||
| 0 | |||
| 0 | |||
| 0 | |||
| NC | |||
|- | |- | ||
! colspan="4" |Sources:<ref>{{cite web|title=Michael Schumacher {{!}} Racing career profile|url=https://www.driverdb.com/drivers/michael-schumacher/|access-date=16 February 2023|website=Driver Database|archive-date=1 January 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230101133640/https://www.driverdb.com/drivers/michael-schumacher/}}</ref> | |||
|align=left| ] | |||
|} | |||
|align=left| Team Le Mans | |||
| 1 | |||
==Racing record== | |||
| 0 | |||
===Career summary=== | |||
| 0 | |||
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center; font-size:90%" | |||
| 0 | |||
| 1 | |||
| 6 | |||
| 12th | |||
|- | |- | ||
!Season | |||
! 1992 | |||
!Series | |||
|align=left| ] | |||
!Team | |||
|align=left| ] ] | |||
!Races | |||
| 16 | |||
!Wins | |||
| 1 | |||
!Poles | |||
| 0 | |||
!F/Laps | |||
| 2 | |||
!Podiums | |||
| 8 | |||
!Points | |||
| 53 | |||
!Position | |||
|bgcolor="#FFDF9F"| '''3rd''' | |||
|- | |- | ||
!rowspan="3"|1988 | |||
! 1993 | |||
|align |
|style="text-align:left"|European ] 1600 | ||
|rowspan="2" style="text-align:left"|Eufra Racing | |||
|align=left| ] ] | |||
| |
|4 | ||
| |
|1 | ||
| |
|1 | ||
| |
|0 | ||
| |
|3 | ||
| |
|50 | ||
|style="background:#DFDFDF"|'''2nd''' | |||
| 4th | |||
|- | |- | ||
|style="text-align:left"|German Formula Ford 1600 | |||
! 1994 | |||
|7 | |||
|align=left| ] | |||
|3 | |||
|align=left| ] ] | |||
| |
|0 | ||
| |
|0 | ||
| |
|5 | ||
| |
|124 | ||
| |
|6th | ||
| 92 | |||
|bgcolor="#FBFFBF"| '''1st''' | |||
|- | |- | ||
|style="text-align:left"|] | |||
! 1995 | |||
|style="text-align:left"|Hoecker Sportwagenservice | |||
|align=left| ] | |||
|10 | |||
|align=left| ] ] | |||
| |
|9 | ||
| |
|1 | ||
| |
|1 | ||
| |
|10 | ||
| |
|192 | ||
|style="background:#FBFFBF"|'''1st''' | |||
| 102 | |||
|bgcolor="#FBFFBF"| '''1st''' | |||
|- | |- | ||
!rowspan="3"|1989 | |||
! 1996 | |||
| |
|style="text-align:left"|] | ||
|rowspan="3" style="text-align:left"|WTS Racing | |||
|align=left| ] | |||
| |
|12 | ||
| |
|2 | ||
| |
|2 | ||
| |
|0 | ||
| |
|7 | ||
| |
|163 | ||
| |
|style="background:#FFDF9F"|'''3rd''' | ||
|- | |- | ||
|style="text-align:left"|] | |||
! 1997 | |||
|1 | |||
|align=left| ] | |||
|0 | |||
|align=left| ] ] | |||
| |
|0 | ||
| |
|0 | ||
| |
|0 | ||
| |
|N/A | ||
| |
|NC | ||
| 78 | |||
|bgcolor="#000000" style="color: #ffffff"|<span style="color:white;">DSQ</span> | |||
|- | |- | ||
|style="text-align:left"|] | |||
! 1998 | |||
|1 | |||
|align=left| ] | |||
|0 | |||
|align=left| ] ] | |||
| |
|0 | ||
| |
|0 | ||
| |
|0 | ||
| |
|N/A | ||
| |
|NC | ||
| 86 | |||
|bgcolor="#DFDFDF"| '''2nd''' | |||
|- | |- | ||
!rowspan=5|1990 | |||
! 1999 | |||
| |
|style="text-align:left"|] | ||
|align |
|style="text-align:left"|] | ||
| |
|3 | ||
| |
|1 | ||
| |
|0 | ||
| |
|1 | ||
| |
|3 | ||
| |
|21 | ||
| |
|5th | ||
|- | |- | ||
|style="text-align:left"|] | |||
! 2000 | |||
|rowspan="3" style="text-align:left"|WTS Racing | |||
|align=left| ] | |||
|11 | |||
|align=left| ] ] | |||
| |
|5 | ||
| |
|6 | ||
| |
|4 | ||
| |
|7 | ||
| |
|148 | ||
|style="background:#FBFFBF"|'''1st''' | |||
| 108 | |||
|bgcolor="#FBFFBF"| '''1st''' | |||
|- | |- | ||
|style="text-align:left"|] | |||
! 2001 | |||
|1 | |||
|align=left| ] | |||
|0 | |||
|align=left| ] ] | |||
| |
|1 | ||
| |
|1 | ||
| |
|0 | ||
| |
|N/A | ||
| |
|NC | ||
| 123 | |||
|bgcolor="#FBFFBF"| '''1st''' | |||
|- | |- | ||
|style="text-align:left"|] | |||
! 2002 | |||
|1 | |||
|align=left| ] | |||
|1 | |||
|align=left| ] ] | |||
| |
|0 | ||
| |
|0 | ||
| |
|0 | ||
| |
|N/A | ||
|style="background:#FBFFBF"|'''1st''' | |||
| 17 | |||
| 144 | |||
|bgcolor="#FBFFBF"| '''1st''' | |||
|- | |- | ||
|style="text-align:left"|] | |||
! 2003 | |||
|align |
|style="text-align:left"|] | ||
|1 | |||
|align=left| ] ] | |||
| |
|0 | ||
| |
|0 | ||
| |
|0 | ||
| |
|0 | ||
| |
|0 | ||
| |
|NC | ||
|bgcolor="#FBFFBF"| '''1st''' | |||
|- | |- | ||
!rowspan=5|1991 | |||
! 2004 | |||
| |
|rowspan="2" style="text-align:left"|] | ||
|style="text-align:left"|] ] ] | |||
|align=left| ] ] | |||
| |
|1 | ||
| |
|0 | ||
| |
|0 | ||
| |
|0 | ||
| |
|0 | ||
|0 | |||
| 148 | |||
|rowspan="2"|14th | |||
|bgcolor="#FBFFBF"| '''1st''' | |||
|- | |- | ||
|style="text-align:left"|] ] | |||
! 2005 | |||
|5 | |||
|align=left| ] | |||
|0 | |||
|align=left| ] ] | |||
| |
|0 | ||
| |
|0 | ||
| |
|0 | ||
| |
|4 | ||
| 5 | |||
| 62 | |||
|bgcolor="#FFDF9F"| '''3rd''' | |||
|- | |- | ||
|style="text-align:left"|] | |||
! 2006 | |||
|align |
|style="text-align:left"|] | ||
|8 | |||
|align=left| ] ] | |||
| |
|1 | ||
| |
|0 | ||
| |
|2 | ||
| |
|2 | ||
| |
|43 | ||
|9th | |||
| 121 | |||
|bgcolor="#DFDFDF"| '''2nd''' | |||
|- | |- | ||
|style="text-align:left"|] | |||
! 2010 | |||
|align |
|style="text-align:left"|] | ||
|4 | |||
|align=left| ] | |||
| |
|0 | ||
| |
|0 | ||
| |
|0 | ||
| |
|0 | ||
| |
|0 | ||
| |
|NC | ||
| 9th | |||
|- | |- | ||
|style="text-align:left"|] | |||
! 2011 | |||
|align |
|style="text-align:left"|] | ||
|1 | |||
|align=left| ] | |||
| |
|0 | ||
| |
|0 | ||
| |
|0 | ||
| |
|1 | ||
| |
|6 | ||
|12th | |||
| 76 | |||
| 8th | |||
|- | |- | ||
!1992 | |||
! 2012 | |||
| |
|style="text-align:left"|] | ||
|align |
|style="text-align:left"|] ] | ||
| |
|16 | ||
| |
|1 | ||
| |
|0 | ||
| |
|2 | ||
| |
|8 | ||
| |
|53 | ||
|style="background:#FFDF9F"|'''3rd''' | |||
| 13th | |||
|- | |||
!1993 | |||
|style="text-align:left"|] | |||
|style="text-align:left"|] ] | |||
|16 | |||
|1 | |||
|0 | |||
|5 | |||
|9 | |||
|52 | |||
|4th | |||
|- | |||
!1994 | |||
|style="text-align:left"|] | |||
|style="text-align:left"|] ] | |||
|14 | |||
|8 | |||
|6 | |||
|8 | |||
|10 | |||
|92 | |||
|style="background:#FBFFBF"|'''1st''' | |||
|- | |||
!1995 | |||
|style="text-align:left"|] | |||
|style="text-align:left"|] ] | |||
|17 | |||
|9 | |||
|4 | |||
|8 | |||
|11 | |||
|102 | |||
|style="background:#FBFFBF"|'''1st''' | |||
|- | |||
!1996 | |||
|style="text-align:left"|] | |||
|style="text-align:left"|] S.p.A. | |||
|16 | |||
|3 | |||
|4 | |||
|2 | |||
|8 | |||
|59 | |||
|style="background:#FFDF9F"|'''3rd''' | |||
|- | |||
!1997 | |||
|style="text-align:left"|] | |||
|style="text-align:left"|] ] | |||
|17 | |||
|5 | |||
|3 | |||
|3 | |||
|8 | |||
|78 | |||
|style="background:#000; color:white"|DSQ | |||
|- | |||
!1998 | |||
|style="text-align:left"|] | |||
|style="text-align:left"|] ] | |||
|16 | |||
|6 | |||
|3 | |||
|6 | |||
|11 | |||
|86 | |||
|style="background:#DFDFDF"|'''2nd''' | |||
|- | |||
!1999 | |||
|style="text-align:left"|] | |||
|style="text-align:left"|] ] | |||
|10 | |||
|2 | |||
|3 | |||
|5 | |||
|6 | |||
|44 | |||
|5th | |||
|- | |||
!2000 | |||
|style="text-align:left"|] | |||
|style="text-align:left"|] ] | |||
|17 | |||
|9 | |||
|9 | |||
|2 | |||
|12 | |||
|108 | |||
|style="background:#FBFFBF"|'''1st''' | |||
|- | |||
!2001 | |||
|style="text-align:left"|] | |||
|style="text-align:left"|] ] | |||
|17 | |||
|9 | |||
|11 | |||
|3 | |||
|14 | |||
|123 | |||
|style="background:#FBFFBF"|'''1st''' | |||
|- | |||
!2002 | |||
|style="text-align:left"|] | |||
|style="text-align:left"|] ] | |||
|17 | |||
|11 | |||
|7 | |||
|7 | |||
|17 | |||
|144 | |||
|style="background:#FBFFBF"|'''1st''' | |||
|- | |||
!2003 | |||
|style="text-align:left"|] | |||
|style="text-align:left"|] ] | |||
|16 | |||
|6 | |||
|5 | |||
|5 | |||
|8 | |||
|93 | |||
|style="background:#FBFFBF"|'''1st''' | |||
|- | |||
!2004 | |||
|style="text-align:left"|] | |||
|style="text-align:left"|] ] | |||
|18 | |||
|13 | |||
|8 | |||
|10 | |||
|15 | |||
|148 | |||
|style="background:#FBFFBF"|'''1st''' | |||
|- | |||
!2005 | |||
|style="text-align:left"|] | |||
|style="text-align:left"|] ] | |||
|19 | |||
|1 | |||
|1 | |||
|3 | |||
|5 | |||
|62 | |||
|style="background:#FFDF9F"|'''3rd''' | |||
|- | |||
!2006 | |||
|style="text-align:left"|] | |||
|style="text-align:left"|] ] | |||
|18 | |||
|7 | |||
|4 | |||
|7 | |||
|12 | |||
|121 | |||
|style="background:#DFDFDF"|'''2nd''' | |||
|- | |||
!2010 | |||
|style="text-align:left"|] | |||
|style="text-align:left"|] | |||
|19 | |||
|0 | |||
|0 | |||
|0 | |||
|0 | |||
|72 | |||
|9th | |||
|- | |||
!2011 | |||
|style="text-align:left"|] | |||
|style="text-align:left"|] | |||
|19 | |||
|0 | |||
|0 | |||
|0 | |||
|0 | |||
|76 | |||
|8th | |||
|- | |||
!2012 | |||
|style="text-align:left"|] | |||
|style="text-align:left"|] | |||
|20 | |||
|0 | |||
|0 | |||
|1 | |||
|1 | |||
|49 | |||
|13th | |||
|- | |||
! colspan="10" |{{center|{{small|Source:<ref name="Motor Sport Database">{{Cite web|year=2020|title=Michael Schumacher|url=https://database.motorsportmagazine.com/database/drivers/michael-schumacher|access-date=1 December 2020|website=MotorSport|archive-date=27 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201027044706/https://database.motorsportmagazine.com/database/drivers/michael-schumacher}}</ref><ref name="Hilton 2006">{{Cite book|last=Hilton|first=Christopher|title=Michael Schumacher: The Whole Story|publisher=Haynes Publishing|year=2006|isbn=1-84425-008-3|url=https://archive.org/details/michaelschumache0000hilt/mode/2up|url-access=registration}}</ref>}}}} | |||
|} | |} | ||
* Source: Hilton, Christopher (2006). ''Michael Schumacher: The Whole Story.'' Haynes. ISBN 1-84425-008-3. | |||
=== |
===Complete German Formula Three results=== | ||
(]) (Races in '''bold''' indicate pole position |
(]) (Races in '''bold''' indicate pole position) (Races in ''italics'' indicate fastest lap) | ||
{| class="wikitable |
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center; font-size:85%" | ||
! Year | |||
! Entrant | |||
! Engine | |||
! 1 | |||
! 2 | |||
! 3 | |||
! 4 | |||
! 5 | |||
! 6 | |||
! 7 | |||
! 8 | |||
! 9 | |||
! 10 | |||
! 11 | |||
! 12 | |||
! DC | |||
! Pts | |||
|- | |- | ||
| ] | |||
!nowrap| WTS Racing | |||
!nowrap| ] | |||
|style="background:#FFDF9F;"|]<br />{{small|3}} | |||
|style="background:#FFDF9F;"|]<br />{{small|3}} | |||
|style="background:#FFDF9F;"|]<br />{{small|3}} | |||
|style="background:#DFFFDF;"|]<br />{{small|5}} | |||
|style="background:#FBFFBF;"|''']'''<br />{{small|1}} | |||
|style="background:#FFDF9F;"|]<br />{{small|3}} | |||
|style="background:#DFFFDF;"|]<br />{{small|12}} | |||
|style="background:#CFCFFF;"|]<br />{{small|19}} | |||
|style="background:#DFFFDF;"|]<br />{{small|4}} | |||
|style="background:#DFFFDF;"|]<br />{{small|5}} | |||
|style="background:#FBFFBF;"|''']'''<br />{{small|1}} | |||
|style="background:#FFDF9F;"|]<br />{{small|3}} | |||
|style="background:#FFDF9F;"|'''3rd''' | |||
|style="background:#FFDF9F;"|{{Tooltip|'''163'''|170 total score, minus dropped points}} | |||
|- | |||
| ] | |||
!nowrap| WTS Racing | |||
!nowrap| {{Tooltip|]|Used Volkswagen engine for the first nine rounds}} | |||
|style="background:#EFCFFF;"|''']'''<br />{{small|Ret}} | |||
|style="background:#CFCFFF;"|''']'''<br />{{small|19}} | |||
|style="background:#DFFFDF;"|]<br />{{small|5}} | |||
|style="background:#FBFFBF;"|'']''<br />{{small|1}} | |||
|style="background:#FBFFBF;"|''']'''<br />{{small|1}} | |||
|style="background:#DFDFDF;"|]<br />{{small|2}} | |||
|style="background:#FBFFBF;"|''''']'''''<br />{{small|1}} | |||
|style="background:#FBFFBF;"|'']''<br />{{small|1}} | |||
|style="background:#FBFFBF;"|''''']'''''<br />{{small|1}} | |||
|style="background:#DFFFDF;"|''']'''<br />{{small|4}} | |||
|style="background:#DFDFDF;"|]<br />{{small|2}} | |||
| | |||
|style="background:#FBFFBF;"|'''1st''' | |||
|style="background:#FBFFBF;"|'''148''' | |||
|- | |||
! colspan="17" |{{center|{{small|Source:<ref name="Motor Sport Database"/>}}}} | |||
|} | |||
===Complete World Sportscar Championship results=== | |||
(]) (Races in '''bold''' indicate pole position; races in ''italics'' indicate fastest lap) | |||
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center; font-size:85%" | |||
! Year | ! Year | ||
! Entrant | ! Entrant | ||
! Class | |||
! Chassis | ! Chassis | ||
! Engine | ! Engine | ||
! 1 | |||
! 2 | |||
! 3 | |||
! 4 | |||
! 5 | |||
! 6 | |||
! 7 | |||
! 8 | |||
! 9 | |||
! {{Tooltip|Pos.|Championship position}} | |||
! Pts | |||
|- | |||
| ] | |||
!nowrap| ] | |||
! C | |||
!nowrap| ] | |||
!nowrap| ] 5.0 ] ] | |||
| ] | |||
| ] | |||
|style="background: #FFCFCF"| ]<br />{{small|DNQ}} | |||
| ] | |||
|style="background:#DFDFDF"| ]<br />{{small|2}} | |||
|style="background:#DFDFDF"| ]<br />{{small|2}} | |||
| ] | |||
| ] | |||
|style="background:#FFFFBF"| '']''<br />{{small|1}} | |||
! 5th | |||
! 21 | |||
|- | |||
|rowspan=2| ] | |||
!rowspan=2 nowrap| ] | |||
! C1 | |||
!nowrap| ] | |||
!nowrap| ] M291 3.5 ] | |||
|style="background: #EFCFFF"| ]<br />{{small|Ret}} | |||
|style="background: #EFCFFF"| ]<br />{{small|Ret}} | |||
|style="background:#DFDFDF"| ]<br />{{small|2}} | |||
| | |||
|style="background: #EFCFFF"| ]<br />{{small|Ret}} | |||
|style="background: #EFCFFF"| ]<br />{{small|Ret}} | |||
|style="background: #EFCFFF"| '']''<br />{{small|Ret}} | |||
|style="background:#FFFFBF"| ]<br />{{small|1}} | |||
| | |||
!rowspan=2| 9th | |||
!rowspan=2| 43 | |||
|- | |||
! C2 | |||
!nowrap| ] | |||
!nowrap| ] 5.0 ] ] | |||
| | |||
| | |||
| | |||
|style="background:#DFFFDF"| '']''<br />{{small|5}} | |||
| | |||
| | |||
| | |||
| | |||
| | |||
|- | |||
! colspan="16" |{{center|{{small|Source:<ref name="Motor Sport Database"/><ref name="Racing Sports Cars Archive">{{Cite web|title=Complete Archive of Michael Schumacher|url=https://www.racingsportscars.com/driver/archive/Michael-Schumacher-D.html|access-date=1 December 2020|publisher=Racing Sports Cars|archive-date=1 April 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190401071900/http://www.racingsportscars.com/driver/archive/Michael-Schumacher-D.html}}</ref>}}}} | |||
|} | |||
===Complete Deutsche Tourenwagen Meisterschaft results=== | |||
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center; font-size:85%; margin:0" | |||
|- | |||
! Year | |||
! Team | |||
! Car | |||
! 1 | ! 1 | ||
! 2 | ! 2 | ||
Line 924: | Line 864: | ||
! 19 | ! 19 | ||
! 20 | ! 20 | ||
! |
! 21 | ||
! 22 | |||
! ] | |||
! 23 | |||
! 24 | |||
! {{Tooltip|Pos.|Championship position}} | |||
! Pts | |||
|- | |||
| ] | |||
!nowrap| ] | |||
!nowrap| ] | |||
| ] | |||
| ] | |||
| ] | |||
| ] | |||
| ] | |||
| ] | |||
| ] | |||
| ] | |||
| ] | |||
| ] | |||
| ] | |||
| ] | |||
| ] | |||
| ] | |||
| ] | |||
| ] | |||
| ] | |||
| ] | |||
| ] | |||
| ] | |||
|style="background:#EFCFFF"| ]<br />{{small|Ret}} | |||
|style="background:#FFFFFF"| ]<br />{{small|DNS}} | |||
| | |||
| | |||
! NC | |||
! 0 | |||
|- | |||
| ] | |||
!nowrap| ] Racing | |||
!nowrap| ] | |||
| ] | |||
| ] | |||
| ] | |||
| ] | |||
| ] | |||
| ] | |||
| ] | |||
| ] | |||
| ] | |||
| ] | |||
|style="background:#CFCFFF"| ]<br />{{small|25}} | |||
|style="background:#EFCFFF"| ]<br />{{small|Ret}} | |||
|style="background:#EFCFFF"| ]<br />{{small|Ret}} | |||
|style="background:#CFCFFF"| ]<br />{{small|14}} | |||
| ] | |||
| ] | |||
| ] | |||
| ] | |||
| ] | |||
| ] | |||
| ] | |||
| ] | |||
| ] | |||
| ] | |||
! NC | |||
! 0 | |||
|- | |||
! colspan="29" |{{center|{{small|Source:<ref name="Motor Sport Database"/><ref name="Hilton 2006"/>{{pad}}]}}}} | |||
|} | |||
===24 Hours of Le Mans results=== | |||
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center; font-size:90%" | |||
|- | |||
! Year | |||
! Team | |||
! Co-drivers | |||
! Car | |||
! Class | |||
! Laps | |||
! {{abbr|Pos.|Overall Position}} | |||
! {{abbr|Class<br />pos.|Class position}} | |||
|- | |||
! {{24hLM|1991}} | |||
|align="left" nowrap| {{flagicon|DEU}} ] ] | |||
|align="left" nowrap| {{flagicon|AUT}} ]<br />{{flagicon|DEU}} ] | |||
|align="left" nowrap| ] | |||
| C2 | |||
| 355 | |||
| 5th | |||
| 5th | |||
|- | |||
! colspan="8" |{{center|{{small|Source:<ref name="Racing Sports Cars Archive"/>}}}} | |||
|} | |||
===Complete Japanese Formula 3000 Championship results=== | |||
(]) | |||
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center; font-size:85%" | |||
|- | |||
! Year | |||
! Entrant | |||
! Chassis | |||
! Engine | |||
! 1 | |||
! 2 | |||
! 3 | |||
! 4 | |||
! 5 | |||
! 6 | |||
! 7 | |||
! 8 | |||
! 9 | |||
! 10 | |||
! 11 | |||
! {{Tooltip|Pos.|Championship position}} | |||
! Pts | |||
|- | |||
| ] | |||
!nowrap| ] | |||
!nowrap| ] RT23 | |||
!nowrap| ] | |||
| ] | |||
| ] | |||
| ] | |||
| ] | |||
| ] | |||
|style="background:#DFDFDF"| ]<br />{{small|2}} | |||
| ] | |||
| ] | |||
| ] | |||
| ] | |||
| ] | |||
! 12th | |||
! 6 | |||
|- | |||
! colspan="17" |{{center|{{small|Source:<ref name="Hilton 2006"/>}}}} | |||
|} | |||
===Complete Formula One results=== | |||
(]) (Races in '''bold''' indicate pole position; races in ''italics'' indicate fastest lap) | |||
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center; font-size:85%; margin:0" | |||
!Year | |||
! style="min-width: 11em" | Entrant | |||
!Chassis | |||
! style="min-width: 9em" | Engine | |||
!1 | |||
!2 | |||
!3 | |||
!4 | |||
!5 | |||
!6 | |||
!7 | |||
!8 | |||
!9 | |||
!10 | |||
!11 | |||
!12 | |||
!13 | |||
!14 | |||
!15 | |||
!16 | |||
!17 | |||
!18 | |||
!19 | |||
!20 | |||
! {{Tooltip|WDC|World Drivers' Championship}} | |||
! ] | |||
|- | |- | ||
| |
|rowspan=2|{{F1|1991}} | ||
! |
!nowrap|] ] ] | ||
! |
!nowrap|] ] | ||
! |
!nowrap|] HBB 4 3.5 ] | ||
| |
|] | ||
| |
|] | ||
| |
|] | ||
| |
|] | ||
| |
|] | ||
| |
|] | ||
| |
|] | ||
| |
|] | ||
| |
|] | ||
| |
|] | ||
| |
|style="background:#EFCFFF"|]<br />{{small|Ret}} | ||
| | | | ||
| | | | ||
Line 951: | Line 1,056: | ||
| | | | ||
| | | | ||
! |
!rowspan=2|14th | ||
! |
!rowspan=2|4 | ||
|- | |- | ||
! |
!nowrap|] ] | ||
! |
!nowrap|] ] | ||
! |
!nowrap|] HBA 5 3.5 ] | ||
| | | | ||
| | | | ||
Line 968: | Line 1,073: | ||
| | | | ||
| | | | ||
| |
|style="background:#DFFFDF"|]<br />{{small|5}} | ||
| |
|style="background:#DFFFDF"|]<br />{{small|6}} | ||
| |
|style="background:#DFFFDF"|]<br />{{small|6}} | ||
| |
|style="background:#EFCFFF"|]<br />{{small|Ret}} | ||
| |
|style="background:#EFCFFF"|]<br />{{small|Ret}} | ||
| | | | ||
| | | | ||
Line 978: | Line 1,083: | ||
| | | | ||
|- | |- | ||
| |
|rowspan=2|{{F1|1992}} | ||
! |
!rowspan=2 nowrap|] ] | ||
! |
!nowrap|] ] | ||
! |
!rowspan=2 nowrap|] HB 3.5 ] | ||
| |
|style="background:#DFFFDF"|]<br />{{small|4}} | ||
| |
|style="background:#FFDF9F"|]<br />{{small|3}} | ||
| |
|style="background:#FFDF9F"|]<br />{{small|3}} | ||
| | | | ||
| | | | ||
Line 1,002: | Line 1,107: | ||
| | | | ||
| | | | ||
| |
|rowspan=2 style="background:#FFDF9F"|'''3rd''' | ||
| |
|rowspan=2 style="background:#FFDF9F"|'''53''' | ||
|- | |- | ||
! |
!nowrap|] ] | ||
| | | | ||
| | | | ||
| | | | ||
| |
|style="background:#DFDFDF"|]<br />{{small|2}} | ||
| |
|style="background:#EFCFFF"|]<br />{{small|Ret}} | ||
| |
|style="background:#DFFFDF"|]<br />{{small|4}} | ||
| |
|style="background:#DFDFDF"|]<br />{{small|2}} | ||
| |
|style="background:#EFCFFF"|]<br />{{small|Ret}} | ||
| |
|style="background:#DFFFDF"|]<br />{{small|4}} | ||
| |
|style="background:#FFDF9F"|]<br />{{small|3}} | ||
| |
|style="background:#EFCFFF"|]<br />{{small|Ret}} | ||
| |
|style="background:#FFFFBF"|'']''<br />{{small|1}} | ||
| |
|style="background:#FFDF9F"|]<br />{{small|3}} | ||
| |
|style="background:#CFCFFF"|]<br />{{small|7}} | ||
| |
|style="background:#EFCFFF"|]<br />{{small|Ret}} | ||
| |
|style="background:#DFDFDF"|'']''<br />{{small|2}} | ||
| | | | ||
| | | | ||
Line 1,027: | Line 1,132: | ||
| | | | ||
|- | |- | ||
| |
|rowspan=2|{{F1|1993}} | ||
! |
!rowspan=2nowrap|] ] | ||
! |
!nowrap|] ] | ||
! |
!rowspan=2nowrap|] HB 3.5 ] | ||
| |
|style="background:#EFCFFF"|]<br />{{small|Ret}} | ||
| |
|style="background:#FFDF9F"|'']''<br />{{small|3}} | ||
| | | | ||
| | | | ||
Line 1,051: | Line 1,156: | ||
| | | | ||
| | | | ||
! |
!rowspan="2"|4th | ||
! |
!rowspan="2"|52 | ||
|- | |- | ||
! |
!nowrap|] ] | ||
| | | | ||
| | | | ||
| |
|style="background:#EFCFFF"|]<br />{{small|Ret}} | ||
| |
|style="background:#DFDFDF"|]<br />{{small|2}} | ||
| |
|style="background:#FFDF9F"|'']''<br />{{small|3}} | ||
| |
|style="background:#EFCFFF"|]<br />{{small|Ret}} | ||
| |
|style="background:#DFDFDF"|'']''<br />{{small|2}} | ||
| |
|style="background:#FFDF9F"|'']''<br />{{small|3}} | ||
| |
|style="background:#DFDFDF"|]<br />{{small|2}} | ||
| |
|style="background:#DFDFDF"|'']''<br />{{small|2}} | ||
| |
|style="background:#EFCFFF"|]<br />{{small|Ret}} | ||
| |
|style="background:#DFDFDF"|]<br />{{small|2}} | ||
| |
|style="background:#EFCFFF"|]<br />{{small|Ret}} | ||
| |
|style="background:#FFFFBF"|]<br />{{small|1}} | ||
| |
|style="background:#EFCFFF"|]<br />{{small|Ret}} | ||
| |
|style="background:#EFCFFF"|]<br />{{small|Ret}} | ||
| | | | ||
| | | | ||
Line 1,076: | Line 1,181: | ||
| | | | ||
|- | |- | ||
| |
|{{F1|1994}} | ||
! |
!nowrap|] ] | ||
! |
!nowrap|] ] | ||
! |
!nowrap|] Zetec-R 3.5 ] | ||
| |
|style="background:#FFFFBF"|'']''<br />{{small|1}} | ||
| |
|style="background:#FFFFBF"|'']''<br />{{small|1}} | ||
| |
|style="background:#FFFFBF"|]<br />{{small|1}} | ||
| |
|style="background:#FFFFBF"|''''']'''''<br />{{small|1}} | ||
| |
|style="background:#DFDFDF"|''''']'''''<br />{{small|2}} | ||
| |
|style="background:#FFFFBF"|''''']'''''<br />{{small|1}} | ||
| |
|style="background:#FFFFBF"|]<br />{{small|1}} | ||
| |
|style="background:#000; color:#fff"|]<br />{{small|DSQ}} | ||
| |
|style="background:#EFCFFF"|]<br />{{small|Ret}} | ||
| |
|style="background:#FFFFBF"|''''']'''''<br />{{small|1}} | ||
| |
|style="background:#000; color:#fff"|]<br />{{small|DSQ}} | ||
|| |
||] | ||
|| |
||] | ||
| |
|style="background:#FFFFBF"|''''']'''''<br />{{small|1}} | ||
| |
|style="background:#DFDFDF"|''']'''<br />{{small|2}} | ||
| |
|style="background:#EFCFFF"|'']''<br />{{small|Ret}} | ||
| | | | ||
| | | | ||
| | | | ||
| | | | ||
| |
|style="background:#FFFFBF"|'''1st''' | ||
| |
|style="background:#FFFFBF"|'''92''' | ||
|- | |- | ||
| |
|{{F1|1995}} | ||
! |
!nowrap|] ] | ||
! |
!nowrap|] ] | ||
! |
!nowrap|] RS7 3.0 ] | ||
| |
|style="background:#FFFFBF"|'']''<br />{{small|1}} | ||
| |
|style="background:#FFDF9F"|'']''<br />{{small|3}} | ||
| |
|style="background:#EFCFFF"|''']'''<br />{{small|Ret}} | ||
| |
|style="background:#FFFFBF"|''']'''<br />{{small|1}} | ||
| |
|style="background:#FFFFBF"|]<br />{{small|1}} | ||
| |
|style="background:#DFFFDF"|''''']'''''<br />{{small|5}} | ||
| |
|style="background:#FFFFBF"|'']''<br />{{small|1}} | ||
| |
|style="background:#EFCFFF"|]<br />{{small|Ret}} | ||
| |
|style="background:#FFFFBF"|'']''<br />{{small|1}} | ||
| |
|style="background:#CFCFFF"|]<br />{{small|11<sup>†</sup>}} | ||
| |
|style="background:#FFFFBF"|]<br />{{small|1}} | ||
| |
|style="background:#EFCFFF"|]<br />{{small|Ret}} | ||
| |
|style="background:#DFDFDF"|]<br />{{small|2}} | ||
| |
|style="background:#FFFFBF"|'']''<br />{{small|1}} | ||
| |
|style="background:#FFFFBF"|'']''<br />{{small|1}} | ||
| |
|style="background:#FFFFBF"|''''']'''''<br />{{small|1}} | ||
| |
|style="background:#EFCFFF"|]<br />{{small|Ret}} | ||
| | | | ||
| | | | ||
| | | | ||
| |
|style="background:#FFFFBF"|'''1st''' | ||
| |
|style="background:#FFFFBF"|'''102''' | ||
|- | |- | ||
| |
|{{F1|1996}} | ||
! |
!nowrap|] S.p.A. | ||
! |
!nowrap|] ] | ||
! |
!nowrap|] 046 3.0 ] | ||
| |
|style="background:#EFCFFF"|]<br />{{small|Ret}} | ||
| |
|style="background:#FFDF9F"|]<br />{{small|3}} | ||
| |
|style="background:#EFCFFF"|]<br />{{small|Ret}} | ||
| |
|style="background:#DFDFDF"|]<br />{{small|2}} | ||
| |
|style="background:#DFDFDF"|''']'''<br />{{small|2}} | ||
| |
|style="background:#EFCFFF"|''']'''<br />{{small|Ret}} | ||
| |
|style="background:#FFFFBF"|'']''<br />{{small|1}} | ||
| |
|style="background:#EFCFFF"|]<br />{{small|Ret}} | ||
| |
|style="background:#fff"|''']'''<br />{{small|DNS}} | ||
| |
|style="background:#EFCFFF"|]<br />{{small|Ret}} | ||
| |
|style="background:#DFFFDF"|]<br />{{small|4}} | ||
| |
|style="background:#CFCFFF"|''']'''<br />{{small|9<sup>†</sup>}} | ||
| |
|style="background:#FFFFBF"|]<br />{{small|1}} | ||
| |
|style="background:#FFFFBF"|'']''<br />{{small|1}} | ||
| |
|style="background:#FFDF9F"|]<br />{{small|3}} | ||
| |
|style="background:#DFDFDF"|]<br />{{small|2}} | ||
| | | | ||
| | | | ||
| | | | ||
| | | | ||
| |
|style="background:#FFDF9F"|'''3rd''' | ||
| |
|style="background:#FFDF9F"|'''59''' | ||
|- | |- | ||
| |
|{{F1|1997}} | ||
! |
!nowrap|] ] | ||
! |
!nowrap|] ] | ||
! |
!nowrap|] 046/2 3.0 ] | ||
| |
|style="background:#DFDFDF"|]<br />{{small|2}} | ||
| |
|style="background:#DFFFDF"|]<br />{{small|5}} | ||
| |
|style="background:#EFCFFF"|]<br />{{small|Ret}} | ||
| |
|style="background:#DFDFDF"|]<br />{{small|2}} | ||
| |
|style="background:#FFFFBF"|'']''<br />{{small|1}} | ||
| |
|style="background:#DFFFDF"|]<br />{{small|4}} | ||
| |
|style="background:#FFFFBF"|''']'''<br />{{small|1}} | ||
| |
|style="background:#FFFFBF"|''''']'''''<br />{{small|1}} | ||
| |
|style="background:#EFCFFF"|'']''<br />{{small|Ret}} | ||
| |
|style="background:#DFDFDF"|]<br />{{small|2}} | ||
| |
|style="background:#DFFFDF"|''']'''<br />{{small|4}} | ||
| |
|style="background:#FFFFBF"|]<br />{{small|1}} | ||
| |
|style="background:#DFFFDF"|]<br />{{small|6}} | ||
| |
|style="background:#DFFFDF"|]<br />{{small|6}} | ||
| |
|style="background:#EFCFFF"|]<br />{{small|Ret}} | ||
| |
|style="background:#FFFFBF"|]<br />{{small|1}} | ||
| |
|style="background:#EFCFFF"|]<br />{{small|Ret}} | ||
| | | | ||
| | | | ||
| | | | ||
| |
|style="background:#000; color:white"|DSQ‡ | ||
| |
|style="background:#000; color:white"|78 | ||
|- | |- | ||
| |
|{{F1|1998}} | ||
! |
!nowrap|] ] | ||
! |
!nowrap|] ] | ||
! |
!nowrap|] 047 3.0 ] | ||
| |
|style="background:#EFCFFF"|]<br />{{small|Ret}} | ||
| |
|style="background:#FFDF9F"|]<br />{{small|3}} | ||
| |
|style="background:#FFFFBF"|]<br />{{small|1}} | ||
| |
|style="background:#DFDFDF"|'']''<br />{{small|2}} | ||
| |
|style="background:#FFDF9F"|]<br />{{small|3}} | ||
| |
|style="background:#CFCFFF"|]<br />{{small|10}} | ||
| |
|style="background:#FFFFBF"|'']''<br />{{small|1}} | ||
| |
|style="background:#FFFFBF"|]<br />{{small|1}} | ||
| |
|style="background:#FFFFBF"|'']''<br />{{small|1}} | ||
| |
|style="background:#FFDF9F"|]<br />{{small|3}} | ||
| |
|style="background:#DFFFDF"|]<br />{{small|5}} | ||
| |
|style="background:#FFFFBF"|'']''<br />{{small|1}} | ||
| |
|style="background:#EFCFFF"|'']''<br />{{small|Ret}} | ||
| |
|style="background:#FFFFBF"|''']'''<br />{{small|1}} | ||
| |
|style="background:#DFDFDF"|''']'''<br />{{small|2}} | ||
| |
|style="background:#EFCFFF"|''''']'''''<br />{{small|Ret}} | ||
| | | | ||
| | | | ||
| | | | ||
| | | | ||
| |
|style="background:#DFDFDF"|'''2nd''' | ||
| |
|style="background:#DFDFDF"|'''86''' | ||
|- | |- | ||
| |
|{{F1|1999}} | ||
! |
!nowrap|] ] | ||
! |
!nowrap|] ] | ||
! |
!nowrap|] 048 3.0 ] | ||
| |
|style="background:#CFCFFF"|'']''<br />{{small|8}} | ||
| |
|style="background:#DFDFDF"|]<br />{{small|2}} | ||
| |
|style="background:#FFFFBF"|'']''<br />{{small|1}} | ||
| |
|style="background:#FFFFBF"|]<br />{{small|1}} | ||
| |
|style="background:#FFDF9F"|'']''<br />{{small|3}} | ||
| |
|style="background:#EFCFFF"|''']'''<br />{{small|Ret}} | ||
| |
|style="background:#DFFFDF"|]<br />{{small|5}} | ||
| |
|style="background:#fff"|]<br />{{small|DNS}} | ||
|| |
||] | ||
|| |
||] | ||
|| |
||] | ||
|| |
||] | ||
|| |
||] | ||
|| |
||] | ||
| |
|style="background:#DFDFDF"|''''']'''''<br />{{small|2}} | ||
| |
|style="background:#DFDFDF"|''''']'''''<br />{{small|2}} | ||
| | | | ||
| | | | ||
| | | | ||
| | | | ||
! |
!5th | ||
! |
!44 | ||
|- | |- | ||
| |
|{{F1|2000}} | ||
! |
!nowrap|] ] | ||
! |
!nowrap|] ] | ||
! |
!nowrap|] 049 3.0 ] | ||
| |
|style="background:#FFFFBF"|]<br />{{small|1}} | ||
| |
|style="background:#FFFFBF"|'']''<br />{{small|1}} | ||
| |
|style="background:#FFFFBF"|]<br />{{small|1}} | ||
| |
|style="background:#FFDF9F"|]<br />{{small|3}} | ||
| |
|style="background:#DFFFDF"|''']'''<br />{{small|5}} | ||
| |
|style="background:#FFFFBF"|'']''<br />{{small|1}} | ||
| |
|style="background:#EFCFFF"|''']'''<br />{{small|Ret}} | ||
| |
|style="background:#FFFFBF"|''']'''<br />{{small|1}} | ||
| |
|style="background:#EFCFFF"|''']'''<br />{{small|Ret}} | ||
| |
|style="background:#EFCFFF"|]<br />{{small|Ret}} | ||
| |
|style="background:#EFCFFF"|]<br />{{small|Ret}} | ||
| |
|style="background:#DFDFDF"|''']'''<br />{{small|2}} | ||
| |
|style="background:#DFDFDF"|]<br />{{small|2}} | ||
| |
|style="background:#FFFFBF"|''']'''<br />{{small|1}} | ||
| |
|style="background:#FFFFBF"|''']'''<br />{{small|1}} | ||
| |
|style="background:#FFFFBF"|''']'''<br />{{small|1}} | ||
| |
|style="background:#FFFFBF"|''']'''<br />{{small|1}} | ||
| | | | ||
| | | | ||
| | | | ||
| |
|style="background:#FFFFBF"|'''1st''' | ||
| |
|style="background:#FFFFBF"|'''108''' | ||
|- | |- | ||
| |
|{{F1|2001}} | ||
! |
!nowrap|] ] | ||
! |
!nowrap|] ] | ||
! |
!nowrap|] 050 3.0 ] | ||
| |
|style="background:#FFFFBF"|''''']'''''<br />{{small|1}} | ||
| |
|style="background:#FFFFBF"|''']'''<br />{{small|1}} | ||
| |
|style="background:#DFDFDF"|''']'''<br />{{small|2}} | ||
| |
|style="background:#EFCFFF"|]<br />{{small|Ret}} | ||
| |
|style="background:#FFFFBF"|''''']'''''<br />{{small|1}} | ||
| |
|style="background:#DFDFDF"|''']'''<br />{{small|2}} | ||
| |
|style="background:#FFFFBF"|]<br />{{small|1}} | ||
| |
|style="background:#DFDFDF"|''']'''<br />{{small|2}} | ||
| |
|style="background:#FFFFBF"|''']'''<br />{{small|1}} | ||
| |
|style="background:#FFFFBF"|]<br />{{small|1}} | ||
| |
|style="background:#DFDFDF"|''']'''<br />{{small|2}} | ||
| |
|style="background:#EFCFFF"|]<br />{{small|Ret}} | ||
| |
|style="background:#FFFFBF"|''']'''<br />{{small|1}} | ||
| |
|style="background:#FFFFBF"|'']''<br />{{small|1}} | ||
| |
|style="background:#DFFFDF"|]<br />{{small|4}} | ||
| |
|style="background:#DFDFDF"|''']'''<br />{{small|2}} | ||
| |
|style="background:#FFFFBF"|''']'''<br />{{small|1}} | ||
| | | | ||
| | | | ||
| | | | ||
| |
|style="background:#FFFFBF"|'''1st''' | ||
| |
|style="background:#FFFFBF"|'''123''' | ||
|- | |- | ||
| |
|rowspan=2|{{F1|2002}} | ||
! |
!rowspan=2nowrap|] ] | ||
! |
!nowrap|] ] | ||
! |
!nowrap|] 050 3.0 ] | ||
| |
|style="background:#FFFFBF"|]<br />{{small|1}} | ||
| |
|style="background:#FFDF9F"|''']'''<br />{{small|3}} | ||
| | | | ||
| | | | ||
Line 1,316: | Line 1,421: | ||
| | | | ||
| | | | ||
| |
|rowspan=2 style="background:#FFFFBF"|'''1st''' | ||
| |
|rowspan=2 style="background:#FFFFBF"|'''144''' | ||
|- | |- | ||
! |
!nowrap|] ] | ||
! |
!nowrap|] 051 3.0 ] | ||
| | | | ||
| | | | ||
| |
|style="background:#FFFFBF"|]<br />{{small|1}} | ||
| |
|style="background:#FFFFBF"|''']'''<br />{{small|1}} | ||
| |
|style="background:#FFFFBF"|''''']'''''<br />{{small|1}} | ||
| |
|style="background:#FFFFBF"|'']''<br />{{small|1}} | ||
| |
|style="background:#DFDFDF"|]<br />{{small|2}} | ||
| |
|style="background:#FFFFBF"|]<br />{{small|1}} | ||
| |
|style="background:#DFDFDF"|'']''<br />{{small|2}} | ||
| |
|style="background:#FFFFBF"|]<br />{{small|1}} | ||
| |
|style="background:#FFFFBF"|]<br />{{small|1}} | ||
| |
|style="background:#FFFFBF"|''''']'''''<br />{{small|1}} | ||
| |
|style="background:#DFDFDF"|'']''<br />{{small|2}} | ||
| |
|style="background:#FFFFBF"|''''']'''''<br />{{small|1}} | ||
| |
|style="background:#DFDFDF"|]<br />{{small|2}} | ||
| |
|style="background:#DFDFDF"|''']'''<br />{{small|2}} | ||
| |
|style="background:#FFFFBF"|''''']'''''<br />{{small|1}} | ||
| | | | ||
| | | | ||
| | | | ||
|- | |- | ||
| |
|rowspan=2|{{F1|2003}} | ||
! |
!rowspan=2nowrap|] ] | ||
! |
!nowrap|] ] | ||
! |
!nowrap|] 051 3.0 ] | ||
| |
|style="background:#DFFFDF"|''']'''<br />{{small|4}} | ||
| |
|style="background:#DFFFDF"|'']''<br />{{small|6}} | ||
| |
|style="background:#EFCFFF"|]<br />{{small|Ret}} | ||
| |
|style="background:#FFFFBF"|''''']'''''<br />{{small|1}} | ||
| | | | ||
| | | | ||
Line 1,366: | Line 1,471: | ||
| | | | ||
| | | | ||
| |
|rowspan=2 style="background:#FFFFBF"|'''1st''' | ||
| |
|rowspan=2 style="background:#FFFFBF"|'''93''' | ||
|- | |- | ||
! |
!nowrap|] ] | ||
! |
!nowrap|] 052 3.0 ] | ||
| | | | ||
| | | | ||
| | | | ||
| | | | ||
| |
|style="background:#FFFFBF"|''']'''<br />{{small|1}} | ||
| |
|style="background:#FFFFBF"|''''']'''''<br />{{small|1}} | ||
| |
|style="background:#FFDF9F"|]<br />{{small|3}} | ||
| |
|style="background:#FFFFBF"|]<br />{{small|1}} | ||
| |
|style="background:#DFFFDF"|]<br />{{small|5}} | ||
| |
|style="background:#FFDF9F"|]<br />{{small|3}} | ||
| |
|style="background:#DFFFDF"|]<br />{{small|4}} | ||
| |
|style="background:#DFFFDF"|]<br />{{small|7}} | ||
| |
|style="background:#DFFFDF"|]<br />{{small|8}} | ||
| |
|style="background:#FFFFBF"|''''']'''''<br />{{small|1}} | ||
| |
|style="background:#FFFFBF"|'']''<br />{{small|1}} | ||
| |
|style="background:#DFFFDF"|]<br />{{small|8}} | ||
| | | | ||
| | | | ||
Line 1,392: | Line 1,497: | ||
| | | | ||
|- | |- | ||
| |
|{{F1|2004}} | ||
! |
!nowrap|] ] | ||
! |
!nowrap|] ] | ||
! |
!nowrap|] 053 3.0 ] | ||
| |
|style="background:#FFFFBF"|''''']'''''<br />{{small|1}} | ||
| |
|style="background:#FFFFBF"|''']'''<br />{{small|1}} | ||
| |
|style="background:#FFFFBF"|''''']'''''<br />{{small|1}} | ||
| |
|style="background:#FFFFBF"|'']''<br />{{small|1}} | ||
| |
|style="background:#FFFFBF"|''''']'''''<br />{{small|1}} | ||
| |
|style="background:#EFCFFF"|'']''<br />{{small|Ret}} | ||
| |
|style="background:#FFFFBF"|''''']'''''<br />{{small|1}} | ||
| |
|style="background:#FFFFBF"|]<br />{{small|1}} | ||
| |
|style="background:#FFFFBF"|]<br />{{small|1}} | ||
| |
|style="background:#FFFFBF"|'']''<br />{{small|1}} | ||
| |
|style="background:#FFFFBF"|'']''<br />{{small|1}} | ||
| |
|style="background:#FFFFBF"|''']'''<br />{{small|1}} | ||
| |
|style="background:#FFFFBF"|''''']'''''<br />{{small|1}} | ||
| |
|style="background:#DFDFDF"|]<br />{{small|2}} | ||
| |
|style="background:#DFDFDF"|]<br />{{small|2}} | ||
| |
|style="background:#CFCFFF"|'']''<br />{{small|12}} | ||
| |
|style="background:#FFFFBF"|''']'''<br />{{small|1}} | ||
| |
|style="background:#DFFFDF"|]<br />{{small|7}} | ||
| | | | ||
| | | | ||
| |
|style="background:#FFFFBF"|'''1st''' | ||
| |
|style="background:#FFFFBF"|'''148''' | ||
|- | |- | ||
| |
|rowspan=2|{{F1|2005}} | ||
! |
!rowspan=2nowrap|] ] | ||
! |
!nowrap|] ] | ||
! |
!nowrap|] 053 3.0 ] | ||
| |
|style="background:#EFCFFF"|]<br />{{small|Ret}} | ||
| |
|style="background:#DFFFDF"|]<br />{{small|7}} | ||
| | | | ||
| | | | ||
Line 1,443: | Line 1,548: | ||
| | | | ||
| | | | ||
| |
|rowspan=2 style="background:#FFDF9F"|'''3rd''' | ||
| |
|rowspan=2 style="background:#FFDF9F"|'''62''' | ||
|- | |- | ||
! |
!nowrap|] ] | ||
! |
!nowrap|] 055 3.0 ] | ||
| | | | ||
| | | | ||
| |
|style="background:#EFCFFF"|]<br />{{small|Ret}} | ||
| |
|style="background:#DFDFDF"|'']''<br />{{small|2}} | ||
| |
|style="background:#EFCFFF"|]<br />{{small|Ret}} | ||
| |
|style="background:#DFFFDF"|'']''<br />{{small|7}} | ||
| |
|style="background:#DFFFDF"|]<br />{{small|5}} | ||
| |
|style="background:#DFDFDF"|]<br />{{small|2}} | ||
| |
|style="background:#FFFFBF"|'']''<br />{{small|1}} | ||
| |
|style="background:#FFDF9F"|]<br />{{small|3}} | ||
| |
|style="background:#DFFFDF"|]<br />{{small|6}} | ||
| |
|style="background:#DFFFDF"|]<br />{{small|5}} | ||
| |
|style="background:#DFDFDF"|''']'''<br />{{small|2}} | ||
| |
|style="background:#EFCFFF"|]<br />{{small|Ret}} | ||
| |
|style="background:#CFCFFF"|]<br />{{small|10}} | ||
| |
|style="background:#EFCFFF"|]<br />{{small|Ret}} | ||
| |
|style="background:#DFFFDF"|]<br />{{small|4}} | ||
| |
|style="background:#DFFFDF"|]<br />{{small|7}} | ||
| |
|style="background:#EFCFFF"|]<br />{{small|Ret}} | ||
| | | | ||
|- | |- | ||
| |
|{{F1|2006}} | ||
! |
!nowrap|] ] | ||
! |
!nowrap|] ] | ||
! |
!nowrap|] 056 2.4 ] | ||
| |
|style="background:#DFDFDF"|''']'''<br />{{small|2}} | ||
| |
|style="background:#DFFFDF"|]<br />{{small|6}} | ||
| |
|style="background:#EFCFFF"|]<br />{{small|Ret}} | ||
| |
|style="background:#FFFFBF"|''']'''<br />{{small|1}} | ||
| |
|style="background:#FFFFBF"|'']''<br />{{small|1}} | ||
| |
|style="background:#DFDFDF"|]<br />{{small|2}} | ||
| |
|style="background:#DFFFDF"|'']''<br />{{small|5}} | ||
| |
|style="background:#DFDFDF"|]<br />{{small|2}} | ||
| |
|style="background:#DFDFDF"|]<br />{{small|2}} | ||
| |
|style="background:#FFFFBF"|''''']'''''<br />{{small|1}} | ||
| |
|style="background:#FFFFBF"|''''']'''''<br />{{small|1}} | ||
| |
|style="background:#FFFFBF"|'']''<br />{{small|1}} | ||
| |
|style="background:#DFFFDF"|]<br />{{small|8<sup>†</sup>}} | ||
| |
|style="background:#FFDF9F"|'']''<br />{{small|3}} | ||
| |
|style="background:#FFFFBF"|]<br />{{small|1}} | ||
| |
|style="background:#FFFFBF"|]<br />{{small|1}} | ||
| |
|style="background:#EFCFFF"|]<br />{{small|Ret}} | ||
| |
|style="background:#DFFFDF"|'']''<br />{{small|4}} | ||
| | | | ||
| | | | ||
| |
|style="background:#DFDFDF"|'''2nd''' | ||
| |
|style="background:#DFDFDF"|'''121''' | ||
|- | |- | ||
| |
|{{f1|2010}} | ||
! |
!nowrap|] ] ] | ||
! |
!nowrap|] ] | ||
! |
!nowrap|] FO 108X 2.4 ] | ||
| |
|style="background:#DFFFDF"|]<br />{{small|6}} | ||
| |
|style="background:#DFFFDF"|]<br />{{small|10}} | ||
| |
|style="background:#EFCFFF"|]<br />{{small|Ret}} | ||
| |
|style="background:#DFFFDF"|]<br />{{small|10}} | ||
| |
|style="background:#DFFFDF"|]<br />{{small|4}} | ||
| |
|style="background:#CFCFFF"|]<br />{{small|12}} | ||
| |
|style="background:#DFFFDF"|]<br />{{small|4}} | ||
| |
|style="background:#CFCFFF"|]<br />{{small|11}} | ||
| |
|style="background:#CFCFFF"|]<br />{{small|15}} | ||
| |
|style="background:#DFFFDF"|]<br />{{small|9}} | ||
| |
|style="background:#DFFFDF"|]<br />{{small|9}} | ||
| |
|style="background:#CFCFFF"|]<br />{{small|11}} | ||
| |
|style="background:#DFFFDF"|]<br />{{small|7}} | ||
| |
|style="background:#DFFFDF"|]<br />{{small|9}} | ||
| |
|style="background:#CFCFFF"|]<br />{{small|13}} | ||
| |
|style="background:#DFFFDF"|]<br />{{small|6}} | ||
| |
|style="background:#DFFFDF"|]<br />{{small|4}} | ||
| |
|style="background:#DFFFDF"|]<br />{{small|7}} | ||
| |
|style="background:#EFCFFF"|]<br />{{small|Ret}} | ||
| | | | ||
! |
!9th | ||
! |
!72 | ||
|- | |- | ||
| |
|{{F1|2011}} | ||
! |
!nowrap|] ] ] | ||
! |
!nowrap|] ] | ||
! |
!nowrap|] FO 108Y 2.4 ] | ||
| |
|style="background:#EFCFFF"|]<br />{{small|Ret}} | ||
| |
|style="background:#DFFFDF"|]<br />{{small|9}} | ||
| |
|style="background:#DFFFDF"|]<br />{{small|8}} | ||
| |
|style="background:#CFCFFF"|]<br />{{small|12}} | ||
| |
|style="background:#DFFFDF"|]<br />{{small|6}} | ||
| |
|style="background:#EFCFFF"|]<br />{{small|Ret}} | ||
| |
|style="background:#DFFFDF"|]<br />{{small|4}} | ||
| |
|style="background:#CFCFFF"|]<br />{{small|17}} | ||
| |
|style="background:#DFFFDF"|]<br />{{small|9}} | ||
| |
|style="background:#DFFFDF"|]<br />{{small|8}} | ||
| |
|style="background:#EFCFFF"|]<br />{{small|Ret}} | ||
| |
|style="background:#DFFFDF"|]<br />{{small|5}} | ||
| |
|style="background:#DFFFDF"|]<br />{{small|5}} | ||
| |
|style="background:#EFCFFF"|]<br />{{small|Ret}} | ||
| |
|style="background:#DFFFDF"|]<br />{{small|6}} | ||
| |
|style="background:#EFCFFF"|]<br />{{small|Ret}} | ||
| |
|style="background:#DFFFDF"|]<br />{{small|5}} | ||
| |
|style="background:#DFFFDF"|]<br />{{small|7}} | ||
| |
|style="background:#CFCFFF"|]<br />{{small|15}} | ||
| | | | ||
! |
!8th | ||
! |
!76 | ||
|- | |- | ||
| |
|{{F1|2012}} | ||
! |
!nowrap|] ] ] ] | ||
! |
!nowrap|] ] | ||
! |
!nowrap|] FO 108Z 2.4 ] | ||
| |
|style="background:#EFCFFF"|]<br />{{small|Ret}} | ||
| |
|style="background:#DFFFDF"|]<br />{{small|10}} | ||
| |
|style="background:#EFCFFF"|]<br />{{small|Ret}} | ||
| |
|style="background:#DFFFDF"|]<br />{{small|10}} | ||
| |
|style="background:#EFCFFF"|]<br />{{small|Ret}} | ||
| |
|style="background:#EFCFFF"|]<br />{{small|Ret}} | ||
| |
|style="background:#EFCFFF"|]<br />{{small|Ret}} | ||
| |
|style="background:#FFDF9F"|]<br />{{small|3}} | ||
| |
|style="background:#DFFFDF"|]<br />{{small|7}} | ||
| |
|style="background:#DFFFDF"|'']''<br />{{small|7}} | ||
| |
|style="background:#EFCFFF"|]<br />{{small|Ret}} | ||
| |
|style="background:#DFFFDF"|]<br />{{small|7}} | ||
| |
|style="background:#DFFFDF"|]<br />{{small|6}} | ||
| |
|style="background:#EFCFFF"|]<br />{{small|Ret}} | ||
| |
|style="background:#CFCFFF"|]<br />{{small|11}} | ||
| |
|style="background:#CFCFFF"|]<br />{{small|13}} | ||
| |
|style="background:#CFCFFF"|]<br />{{small|22<sup>†</sup>}} | ||
| |
|style="background:#CFCFFF"|]<br />{{small|11}} | ||
| |
|style="background:#CFCFFF"|]<br />{{small|16}} | ||
| |
|style="background:#DFFFDF"|]<br />{{small|7}} | ||
! |
!13th | ||
! |
!49 | ||
|- | |||
! colspan="27" |{{center|{{small|Source:<ref>{{Cite web|title=Michael Schumacher – Involvement|url=https://www.statsf1.com/en/michael-schumacher/engagement.aspx|access-date=1 December 2020|publisher=StatsF1|archive-date=30 April 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210430130451/https://www.statsf1.com/en/michael-schumacher/engagement.aspx}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Michael Schumacher|url=http://en.espn.co.uk/f1/motorsport/driver/1146.html|access-date=1 December 2020|publisher=ESPN|archive-date=16 May 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150516032753/http://en.espn.co.uk/f1/motorsport/driver/1146.html}}</ref>}}}} | |||
|} | |} | ||
{{sup|‡}} Schumacher was disqualified from the 1997 |
{{sup|‡}} Schumacher was disqualified from the 1997 World Drivers' Championship due to dangerous driving in the {{F1 GP|1997|European}}, where he caused an avoidable accident with Jacques Villeneuve. His points tally would have placed him in second place in that year's standings.<ref name="FIA 1997"/><br /> | ||
{{sup|†}} Driver did not finish the Grand Prix |
{{sup|†}} Driver did not finish the Grand Prix but was classified as he completed over 90% of the race distance. | ||
=== |
===Formula One records=== | ||
Schumacher holds the following ]: | Schumacher holds the following ]: | ||
{| class="wikitable |
{| class="wikitable" style="font-size:95%;" | ||
|- | |- | ||
! Record | ! Record | ||
! Date first achieved | |||
! Number | |||
! Current record | |||
|- | |- | ||
| ] | | ''']''' | ||
| {{F1|2002}} | |||
| 7 ({{f1|1994}}, {{f1|1995}}, {{f1|2000}}, {{f1|2001}}, {{f1|2002}}, {{f1|2003}}, {{f1|2004}}) | |||
| 7<ref group="N" name="Shared Lewish Hamilton record">Record shared with ]</ref> | |||
|- | |- | ||
| ''']''' | |||
| Consecutive titles | |||
| |
| {{f1|2000}}–{{f1|2004}} | ||
| 5 | |||
|- | |- | ||
| ''']''' | |||
| Championship won with most races left | |||
| |
| {{F1|2002}} | ||
| 6<ref group="N">Record shared with ] ({{F1|2023}})</ref> | |||
|- | |- | ||
| ''']''' | |||
| Largest championship-winning margin<br />(pre-2010 points system) | |||
| |
| {{F1|1992}}–{{F1|2006}} | ||
| 15<ref group="N" name="Shared Lewish Hamilton record"/> | |||
|- | |- | ||
| ] | | ''']''' | ||
| ] (], ], ], ])<br />] (], ], ], ], ]) | |||
| 91 | |||
|9<ref name="Shared Lewish Hamilton record" group="N" /> | |||
|- | |- | ||
| ] | | ''']''' | ||
| ] | |||
| 13 (72%) ({{F1|2004}}) | |||
| 51 | |||
|- | |- | ||
| ''']''' | |||
| Wins in a season for a runner-up<ref group="N">Record shared with ] ({{F1|1984}} and {{F1|1988}}) and ] ({{F1|2005}}).</ref> | |||
| ] | |||
|48 | |||
| 7 ({{F1|2006}}) | |||
|- | |- | ||
| ''']''' | |||
| Wins with one team | |||
| ] – ] | |||
| 72 (]) | |||
| 15<ref group="N">Record shared with Max Verstappen</ref> | |||
|- | |- | ||
| ''']''' | |||
| Wins at the same Grand Prix | |||
| {{f1|2002}} | |||
| 8 (]) | |||
| 100% | |||
|- | |- | ||
| ''']''' | |||
| Poles at the same Grand Prix<ref group="N">Record shared with ], who took 8 poles in ].</ref> | |||
| |
| ] – ] | ||
| 19 | |||
|- | |- | ||
| ''']''' | |||
| Different Grands Prix won | |||
| ] – ] | |||
| 22 | |||
|17 | |||
|- | |- | ||
| ''']''' | |||
| ] | |||
| ] | |||
| 14 years, 32 days | |||
| 77 | |||
|- | |- | ||
| ''']''' | |||
| Total years with a win | |||
| |
| {{F1|2004}} | ||
| 10<ref group="N">Record shared with ] ({{F1|2005}} and {{F1|2008}})</ref> | |||
|- | |- | ||
| ''']''' | |||
| Consecutive years with a win | |||
| ]–] | |||
| 15 ({{F1|1992}}–{{F1|2006}}) | |||
| 15<ref group="N">Record shared with Lewis Hamilton</ref> | |||
|- | |- | ||
| ''']''' | |||
| Second places | |||
| ] (], ], ], ], ], ], ]) | |||
| 43 | |||
| 7<ref group="N">Record shared with ] (]) and Lewis Hamilton (])</ref> | |||
|- | |- | ||
| ''']''' | |||
| Consecutive top two finishes | |||
| ] (], ], ], ], ], ], ]) | |||
| 15 (]–]) | |||
| 7<ref group="N">Record shared with Lewis Hamilton (])</ref> | |||
|- | |- | ||
| ] | | ''']''' | ||
| ] (], ], ], ], ])<br />] (], ], ], ], ]) | |||
| 155 | |||
| |
| 10 | ||
| ] | |||
| 17 (100%) ({{F1|2002}}) | |||
|- | |||
| ] | |||
| 19 (]–]) | |||
|- | |||
| ] | |||
| 221 | |||
|- | |||
| ] / ] / ] led | |||
| 142 races / 5,111 laps / 24,144 km<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.f1db.com/f1/page/Michael_Schumacher| title =Michael Schumacher | accessdate =25 October 2006|year=2006 | work=The Formula One Database | publisher=f1db.com}}</ref> | |||
|- | |- | ||
| ] | | ''']''' | ||
| ] | |||
| 68 | |||
|- | |||
| ] | |||
| 116 | |||
|- | |||
| ] | |||
| 77 | |||
|- | |||
| ]<ref group="N">Record shared with ] ({{F1|2005}} and {{F1|2008}}). | |||
</ref> | |||
| 10 ({{F1|2004}}) | |||
|- | |||
| ] | |||
| 40 | |||
|- | |||
| ] | |||
| 22 | | 22 | ||
|- | |||
| Hat tricks in a season | |||
| 5 in {{F1|2004}}<ref group="N">Record shared with ] in {{F1|1952}}.</ref> | |||
|- | |||
| Races with one team | |||
| 181 (Ferrari) | |||
|} | |} | ||
'''Footnotes''' | |||
{{reflist|group=N}} | |||
{{Reflist|group=N}} | |||
== Books and movies == | |||
* {{Cite book | last = Allen | first = James | authorlink = James Allen (journalist) | title = Michael Schumacher: Driven to Extremes | publisher=Bantam Books |year=1999 | isbn = 0-553-81214-9}} | |||
* {{Cite book | last = Allen | first = James | title = Edge of Greatness | publisher=Headline |year=2007 | isbn = 978-0-7553-1678-6 }} | |||
* {{Cite book | last = Collings | first = Timothy | title = The Piranha Club | publisher=Virgin Books|year=2004 | isbn = 0-7535-0965-2}} | |||
* {{Cite book | last = Collings| first = Timothy | title = Team Schumacher | publisher=Highdown |year=2005 | isbn = 1-905156-03-0}} | |||
* {{Cite book | last = Domenjoz | first = Luc | title = Michael Schumacher: Rise of a genius |year=2002 | edition = | publisher=Parragon | isbn = 0-7525-9228-9 }} | |||
* {{Cite book | last =Henry | first =Alan (ed.) | authorlink = Alan Henry | title =Autocourse 1992 – 93 | publisher=Hazleton Publishing |year=1992 | isbn = 0-905138-96-1 }} | |||
* {{Cite book | last = Henry | first = Alan | title = Wheel to Wheel: Great Duels of Formula One Racing |year=1996 | edition = | publisher=Weidenfeld Nicolson Illustrated | isbn = 0-7538-0522-7 }} | |||
* {{Cite book | last = Hilton | first = Christopher | title = Michael Schumacher: The greatest of all | publisher=Haynes |year=2003 | isbn = 1-84425-044-X}} | |||
* {{Cite book | last = Hilton | first = Christopher | title = Michael Schumacher: The Whole Story | publisher=Haynes |year=2006 | isbn = 1-84425-008-3}} | |||
* {{Cite book | last =Kehm | first =Sabine | title =Michael Schumacher. Driving Force | publisher=Random House |year=2003 | isbn = 0-09-189435-2 }} | |||
* {{Cite book | last = Matchett | first = Steve | authorlink = Steve Matchett | year=1995 | title=Life in the Fast Lane: The Story of the Benetton Grand Prix Year | isbn=0-297-81610-1 | publisher=Weidenfeld and Nicolson | location = London}} | |||
* {{Cite book | last = Matchett | first = Steve | year=1999 | title=The Mechanic's Tale: Life in the Pit Lanes of Formula One | isbn=0-7603-0754-7 | publisher=MBI Pub. | location = Osceola, Wisconsin}} | |||
* {{Cite book | last = Williams | first = Richard| title = The Death of Ayrton Senna | publisher=Bloomsbury|year=1999 | isbn = 0-7475-4495-6}} | |||
==See also== | |||
Schumacher had a voice in the ]/] movie '']''. His character is himself as a car (]). He also appeared as himself in a French movie '']''. | |||
* ] | |||
* ] | |||
* ] | |||
* ] | |||
* ] | |||
* ] | |||
* '']'' | |||
* '']'' | |||
== |
==References== | ||
'''Specific''' | |||
<!--This section uses the Cite.php citation mechanism.If you want more information on how to add references to this article, see http://meta.wikimedia.org/Cite/Cite.php--> | |||
{{Reflist |
{{Reflist}} | ||
'''General''' | |||
All race and championship results (1991–2006) are taken from the Official Formula 1 Website. www.formula1.com. Retrieved 23 May 2007 | |||
* {{Cite book|last=Allen|first=James|url=https://archive.org/details/michaelschumache0000alle|title=Michael Schumacher: Driven to Extremes|publisher=Bantam Books|year=1999|isbn=978-0-553-81214-5|author-link=James Allen (journalist)|url-access=registration}} | |||
* {{Cite book|last=Allen|first=James|url=https://archive.org/details/michaelschumache0000alle_t1x6|title=Edge of Greatness|publisher=Headline|year=2007|isbn=978-0-7553-1678-6|url-access=registration}} | |||
* {{Cite book|last=Collings|first=Timothy|title=The Piranha Club|publisher=Virgin Books|year=2004|isbn=978-0-7535-0965-4}} | |||
* {{Cite book|last=Collings|first=Timothy|title=Team Schumacher|publisher=Highdown|year=2005|isbn=978-1-905156-03-0|url=https://archive.org/details/teamschumacherma0000coll/page/34/mode/2up|url-access=registration}} | |||
* {{Cite book|last=Domenjoz|first=Luc|title=Michael Schumacher: Rise of a genius|publisher=Parragon|year=2002|isbn=978-0-7525-9228-2}} | |||
* {{Cite book|title=Autocourse 1992–93|publisher=Hazleton Publishing|year=1992|isbn=978-0-905138-96-1|editor-last=Henry|editor-first=Alan|editor-link=Alan Henry}} | |||
* {{Cite book|last=Henry|first=Alan|title=Wheel to Wheel: Great Duels of Formula One Racing|publisher=Weidenfeld Nicolson Illustrated|year=1996|isbn=978-0-7538-0522-0|url=https://archive.org/details/wheeltowheelgrea0000henr/page/116/mode/2up|url-access=registration}} | |||
* {{Cite book|last=Hilton|first=Christopher|title=Michael Schumacher: The greatest of all|publisher=Haynes|year=2003|isbn=978-1-84425-044-8}} | |||
* {{Cite book|last=Hilton|first=Christopher|title=Michael Schumacher: The Whole Story|publisher=Haynes|year=2006|isbn=978-1-84425-008-0|url=https://archive.org/details/michaelschumache0000hilt/page/118/mode/2up|url-access=registration}} | |||
* {{Cite book|last=Kehm|first=Sabine|title=Michael Schumacher. Driving Force|publisher=Random House|year=2003|isbn=978-0-09-189435-1|url=https://archive.org/details/michaelschumache0000schu/mode/2up|url-access=registration}} | |||
* {{Cite book|last=Matchett|first=Steve|title=Life in the Fast Lane: The Story of the Benetton Grand Prix Year|publisher=Weidenfeld and Nicolson|year=1995|isbn=978-0-297-81610-2|location=London|author-link=Steve Matchett}} | |||
* {{Cite book|last=Matchett|first=Steve|title=The Mechanic's Tale: Life in the Pit Lanes of Formula One|publisher=MBI Pub.|year=1999|isbn=978-0-7603-0754-0|location=Osceola, Wisconsin}} | |||
* {{Cite book|last=Williams|first=Richard|title=The Death of Ayrton Senna|publisher=Bloomsbury|year=1999|isbn=978-0-7475-4495-1}} | |||
== |
==External links== | ||
{{Sister project links}} | {{Sister project links}} | ||
* {{Official website |
* {{Official website}} | ||
* {{DriverDB driver|michael-schumacher}} | * {{DriverDB driver|michael-schumacher}} | ||
* {{Racing-Reference driver|Michael_Schumacher}} | |||
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{{Persondata | |||
| NAME =Schumacher, Michael | |||
| ALTERNATIVE NAMES =Schumi | |||
| SHORT DESCRIPTION =Racing driver, Formula 1 driver, 7 times world champion | |||
| DATE OF BIRTH =3 January 1969 | |||
| PLACE OF BIRTH =] Hermülheim, Germany | |||
| DATE OF DEATH = | |||
| PLACE OF DEATH = | |||
}} | |||
{{DEFAULTSORT:Schumacher, Michael}} | {{DEFAULTSORT:Schumacher, Michael}} | ||
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Latest revision as of 15:25, 24 December 2024
German racing driver (born 1969) This article is about the retired German racing driver. For his son who is also a racing driver, see Mick Schumacher. For the Luxembourgian athlete, see Mike Schumacher.
Michael Schumacher | |
---|---|
Schumacher at the 1998 Italian Grand Prix | |
Born | (1969-01-03) 3 January 1969 (age 55) Hürth, North Rhine-Westphalia, West Germany |
Spouse |
Corinna Betsch (m. 1995) |
Children | 2, including Mick |
Relatives |
|
Awards | Full list |
Formula One World Championship career | |
Nationality | German |
Active years | 1991–2006, 2010–2012 |
Teams | Jordan, Benetton, Ferrari, Mercedes |
Engines | Ford, Renault, Ferrari, Mercedes |
Entries | 308 (306 starts) |
Championships | 7 (1994, 1995, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004) |
Wins | 91 |
Podiums | 155 |
Career points | 1566 |
Pole positions | 68 |
Fastest laps | 77 |
First entry | 1991 Belgian Grand Prix |
First win | 1992 Belgian Grand Prix |
Last win | 2006 Chinese Grand Prix |
Last entry | 2012 Brazilian Grand Prix |
24 Hours of Le Mans career | |
Years | 1991 |
Teams | Sauber |
Best finish | 5th (1991) |
Class wins | 0 |
Signature | |
| ||
---|---|---|
Family Rivalries Media |
||
Michael Schumacher (German pronunciation: [ˈmɪçaːʔeːl ˈʃuːmaxɐ]; born 3 January 1969) is a German former racing driver, who competed in Formula One from 1991 to 2006 and from 2010 to 2012. Schumacher won a record-setting seven Formula One World Drivers' Championship titles, a record which was tied by Lewis Hamilton in 2020. At the time of his retirement, Schumacher held the records for most wins (91), pole positions (68), and podium finishes (155), while he maintains the record for most fastest laps (77), among others.
Born in Hürth to a working-class family, Schumacher started his career in kart racing aged four. He won his first karting title two years later in a kart built from discarded parts. After having enjoyed success in karting—such as winning the direct-drive Karting European Championship in 1987—and in several single-seater series, Schumacher made a one-off Formula One appearance with Jordan at the 1991 Belgian Grand Prix. He was signed by Benetton for the rest of the 1991 season, winning his first and second drivers' titles consecutively in 1994 and 1995 with the team. Schumacher moved to the struggling Ferrari team in 1996. During his first few years with the team, Schumacher lost out on the title in the final race of the season in 1997 and 1998, and suffered a broken leg from a brake failure in 1999. He and Ferrari won five consecutive titles from 2000 to 2004, including unprecedented sixth and seventh titles, while breaking several records. After finishing third in 2005 and second in 2006, Schumacher retired from the sport, although he later made a brief return with Mercedes from 2010 to 2012.
Schumacher was noted for pushing his car to the very limit for sustained periods during races, a pioneering fitness regimen, and ability to galvanise teams around him. He and his younger brother Ralf are the only siblings to win races in Formula One and the first siblings to finish first and second in the same race, a feat they repeated in four subsequent races. Schumacher was twice involved in collisions in the final race of a season that decided the title: first with Damon Hill at the 1994 Australian Grand Prix, and with Jacques Villeneuve at the 1997 European Grand Prix.
Appointed UNESCO Champion for Sport in 2002, Schumacher has been involved in humanitarian projects and has donated tens of millions of dollars to charity.
In December 2013, Schumacher suffered a severe brain injury in a skiing accident. He was placed in a medically induced coma until June 2014. He left the hospital in Grenoble for further rehabilitation at the Lausanne University Hospital, before being relocated to his home to receive medical treatment and rehabilitation privately in September 2014.
Early life and career
Michael Schumacher was born in the West German town of Hürth, North Rhine-Westphalia, on 3 January 1969, to working-class parents Rolf—a bricklayer who later ran the local kart track—and Elisabeth Schumacher (1948–2003), who operated the track's canteen.
Karting
When Schumacher was four, his father modified his pedal kart by adding a small motorcycle engine. After he crashed it into a lamp post in Kerpen, his parents took him to the karting track at Kerpen-Horrem, where he became the youngest member of the karting club. His father built him a kart from discarded parts; at the age of six, Schumacher won his first club championship. To support his racing, Schumacher's father took on a second job renting and repairing karts, while his mother worked at the track's canteen. Nevertheless, when Schumacher needed a new engine costing 800 DM, his parents were unable to afford it; he was able to continue racing with support from local businessmen.
Regulations in Germany require a driver to be at least 14 years old to obtain a kart license. To get around this, Schumacher obtained a license in Luxembourg at the age of 12. In 1983, he obtained his German license, a year after he won the German Junior Kart Championship. Schumacher joined Eurokart dealer Adolf Neubert in 1985, and by 1987 was the German and European kart champion, then he quit school and began working as a mechanic.
Lower formulae and sportscar racing
In 1988, he made his first step into single-seat car racing by participating in the German Formula Ford and Formula König series, winning the latter. In 1989, Schumacher signed with Willi Weber's WTS Formula Three team. Funded by Weber, he competed in the German Formula Three Championship, winning the 1990 German Formula Three Championship. He also won the 1990 Macau Grand Prix under controversial circumstances. He placed second behind Mika Häkkinen in the first heat, three seconds behind. At the start of the second heat, he overtook Häkkinen, who only had to finish within three seconds of Schumacher to clinch the overall win. In the closing laps, Schumacher made a mistake, allowing Häkkinen to attempt to overtake. Schumacher changed his line immediately before Häkkinen did the same as the latter moved to overtake, and Häkkinen crashed into the back of Schumacher's car. While Häkkinen's race was ended, Schumacher drove to victory without a rear wing. Schumacher gave the prize money from winning the race to his family as they had debts.
During 1990, along with his Formula Three rivals Heinz-Harald Frentzen and Karl Wendlinger, Schumacher joined the Mercedes-Benz junior racing programme in the World Sportscar Championship. This was unusual for a young driver, as most of Schumacher's contemporaries competed in Formula 3000 on the way to Formula One. Weber advised Schumacher that being exposed to professional press conferences and driving powerful cars in long-distance races would help his career. In the 1990 World Sportscar Championship season, Schumacher won the season finale at the Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez in a Sauber–Mercedes C11, and finished fifth in the Drivers' Championship despite only driving in three of the nine races. He continued with the team in the 1991 World Sportscar Championship season, winning again at the final race of the season at Autopolis in Japan with a Sauber–Mercedes-Benz C291, leading to a ninth-place finish in the Drivers' Championship. He also competed at the 1991 24 Hours of Le Mans, finishing fifth in a car shared with Wendlinger and Fritz Kreutzpointner. He further competed in one race in the 1991 Japanese Formula 3000 Championship, finishing second.
During the 1991 430 km of Nürburgring, Schumacher was involved in an incident with Derek Warwick. While trying to set his flying lap in qualifying, Schumacher encountered Warwick's Jaguar XJR-14 on a slow lap resulting in lost time for Schumacher. As retaliation for Warwick being in his way, Schumacher swerved his Sauber into Warwick's car, hitting the Jaguar's nose and front wheel. Enraged by Schumacher's attitude, Warwick drove to the pits and chased Schumacher on foot. He eventually caught up with Schumacher, and it took intervention from several mechanics and Schumacher's teammate Jochen Mass to prevent Warwick physically assaulting Schumacher.
Formula One career
Jordan (1991)
Schumacher made his Formula One debut with the Irish Jordan-Ford team at the Belgian Grand Prix, driving car number 32 as a replacement for the imprisoned Bertrand Gachot. Schumacher, still a contracted Mercedes driver, was signed by Eddie Jordan after Mercedes paid Jordan $150,000 for his debut.
The week before the race, Schumacher impressed Jordan designer Gary Anderson and team manager Trevor Foster during a test drive at the Silverstone circuit. Schumacher's manager Weber assured Jordan that Schumacher knew the challenging Spa-Francorchamps circuit well, although in fact he had only seen it as a spectator. During the race weekend, teammate Andrea de Cesaris was meant to show Schumacher the circuit but was held up with contract negotiations. Schumacher then learned the track on his own, by cycling around the track on a fold-up bike he brought with him.
In his debut, Schumacher impressed the paddock by qualifying seventh; he did so in a midfield car, the Jordan 191, which he drove half a day of testing and at a track he had never raced at. This also matched the team's season-best grid position, and Schumacher outqualified veteran de Cesaris. Motor Sport journalist Joe Saward reported that, after qualifying, "clumps of German journalists were talking about 'the best talent since Stefan Bellof'". Schumacher retired on the first lap of the race with clutch problems.
Benetton (1991–1995)
Following his Belgian Grand Prix debut, despite an agreement in principle between Jordan and Schumacher's Mercedes management that would see the German race for the Irish team for the remainder of the season, Schumacher was engaged by Benetton-Ford for the next race. Jordan applied for an injunction in the British courts to prevent Schumacher driving for Benetton but lost the case as they had not yet signed a final contract.
1991–1993: Maiden points, podiums and wins
Schumacher finished the 1991 season with four points out of six races. His best finish was fifth in his second race, the Italian Grand Prix, in which he finished ahead of his teammate and three-time World Champion Nelson Piquet. He also outqualified Piquet four times out of five in the season run-in, and scored only half a point less than him in the time they were together.
At the start of the 1992 season the Sauber team, planning their Formula One debut with Mercedes backing for the following year, invoked a clause in Schumacher's contract that stated that if Mercedes entered Formula One, Schumacher would drive for them. It was eventually agreed that Schumacher would stay with Benetton; Peter Sauber stated that " didn't want to drive for us. Why would I have forced him?" The year was dominated by the Williams FW14B of Nigel Mansell and Riccardo Patrese, featuring powerful Renault engines, semi-automatic gearboxes, and active suspension to control the car's ride height. In the conventional Benetton B192, Schumacher took his place on the podium for the first time, finishing third in the Mexican Grand Prix. Through what has been described as a tactical masterstroke, he went on to take his first victory at the Belgian Grand Prix, in a wet race at the Spa-Francorchamps circuit, which by 2003 he would call "far and away my favourite track". That also marked as the last Formula One car to win a Grand Prix while sporting a H-pattern manual gearbox.
From the 1992 Portuguese Grand Prix to the 1998 Monaco Grand Prix, Schumacher was not beaten by his teammate when both cars finished. 1992 was also the first of many times that Schumacher beat his teammate through a full season, and Martin Brundle was fired as a result. Benetton team boss Flavio Briatore later regretted this decision, saying that he had underestimated the ability of both his drivers. Schumacher finished third in the Drivers' Championship in 1992 with 53 points, three points behind runner-up Patrese and three in front of the Brazilian Ayrton Senna. According to Jo Ramírez, a close friend of Senna, the Brazilian considered Schumacher "the next big threat, way ahead of all the other drivers around at the time".
The Williams FW15C of Damon Hill and Alain Prost dominated the 1993 season as well. Benetton introduced their own active suspension and traction control early in the season, last of the frontrunning teams to do so. Schumacher won one race, the Portuguese Grand Prix where he beat Prost, and had nine podium finishes; he retired in seven of the other 16 races. He finished the season in fourth, with 52 points, beating Patrese as teammate, so much so that Briatore and his team thought that Patrese was washed up and that they had no problem with their car.
1994–1995: Back-to-back World Championships
Schumacher won his first Drivers' Championship in 1994. Driving the Benetton B194, which has been called the worst car to have won a Formula One World Championship and was difficult to drive, so much so that Schumacher had three different teammates (JJ Lehto, Jos Verstappen, and Johnny Herbert) due to crashes, Schumacher won the first four races and finished the season with eight wins. He won six of the first seven races, including the Brazilian Grand Prix in which he lapped the entire field, and was leading the Spanish Grand Prix, before a gearbox failure left him stuck in fifth gear for most of the race. Schumacher made two pit stops without stalling and finished the race in second place. Benetton boss Flavio Briatore stated that Schumacher's drive was one of the best he had ever seen.
The 1994 season was marred by the death of Ayrton Senna, which was witnessed by Schumacher who was directly behind Senna, and that of Roland Ratzenberger during the San Marino Grand Prix; there were also allegations of cheating during the 1994 Formula One season involving several teams, most particularly Schumacher's Benetton, having allegedly broken the sport's technical regulations. Following the San Marino Grand Prix, the Benetton, Ferrari, and McLaren teams were investigated on suspicion of breaking the FIA-imposed ban on electronic aids. Benetton and McLaren initially refused to hand over their source code for investigation. When they did so, the FIA discovered hidden functionality in both teams' software but no evidence that it had been used in a race. Both teams were fined $100,000 for their initial refusal to cooperate. The McLaren software, which was a gearbox program that allowed automatic shifts, was deemed legal. By contrast, the Benetton software was deemed to be a form of launch control that would have allowed Schumacher to make perfect starts, which was explicitly outlawed by the regulations; Benetton and Willem Toet, a Formula One aerodynamicist for over thirty years who worked at Benetton until 1994, stated that traction control was legally achieved through rotational inertia. There was no evidence to suggest the software was used.
At the British Grand Prix, Schumacher was penalised for overtaking Hill on the formation lap. He and Benetton then ignored the penalty and the subsequent black flag, which indicates that the driver must immediately return to the pits, for which he was disqualified and later given a two-race ban. Benetton blamed the incident on a communication error between the stewards and the team. Schumacher was also disqualified after winning the Belgian Grand Prix, after his car was found to have illegal wear on its skid block, a measure used after the accidents at Imola to limit downforce and hence cornering speed. Benetton protested that the skid block had been damaged when Schumacher spun over a kerb; the FIA rejected their appeal because of the pattern of wear and damage visible on the block. The two-race ban punishment was seen by many observers as petty and insignificant, and that it was a result of Benetton feud with the FIA, with Schumacher being a victim and the FIA trying to deny him his first World Championship. These incidents helped Damon Hill close the points gap, and Schumacher led by a single point going into the final race at the Australian Grand Prix. On lap 36, Schumacher hit the guardrail on the outside of the track while leading. Hill attempted to pass but as Schumacher's car returned to the track there was a collision on the corner causing them both to retire. As a result, Schumacher won the Drivers' Championship, the first German to do so—Jochen Rindt (the only posthumous Drivers' Champion) was German but raced under the Austrian flag, and whose domination in 1970 was later equalled by Schumacher. The race stewards judged it as a racing accident and took no action against either driver. Although the Drivers' Championship had been decided in a similar manner in 1989 and 1990, public opinion was divided over the incident, and Schumacher was vilified in the British media. At the FIA conference after the race, Schumacher dedicated his title to Senna.
In 1995, Schumacher successfully defended his title with Benetton, which now had the same Renault engine as Williams; according to Motor Sport magazine, Benetton had the better team, while Williams had the superior car. Schumacher accumulated 33 more points than second-placed Hill. With Herbert as teammate, he took Benetton to its first Constructors' Championship, breaking the dominance of McLaren and Williams, and became the youngest two-time World Champion in Formula One history. The season was marred by several collisions with Hill, in particular an overtaking manoeuvre by Hill took them both out of the British Grand Prix on lap 45, and again on lap 23 of the Italian Grand Prix; it also saw one of his career's best ovetakes, with the one over Jean Alesi giving him the win at the European Grand Prix, after he reduced the half a minute gap in the final dozen laps. Schumacher won 9 of the 17 races, including the French Grand Prix, and finished on the podium 11 times. It was only once that he qualify worse than fourth; at the Belgian Grand Prix, he qualified 16th but nevertheless went on to win the wet-dry race, finishing 16 seconds ahead of Hill, with whom he had ferocious wheel-to-wheel racing and involved some crucial strategic calls. His bad qualifying was a result of a crash he had in the final free practice, and by the time his car was rebuilt, it had started to rain; this ended his 56-race streak of outqualifiyng his teammates that started in 1992, after he missed a gear in qualifying in Adelaide in 1991 and was outqualified by Nelson Piquet.
Ferrari (1996–2006)
In 1996, Schumacher joined Ferrari, a team that had last won the Drivers' Championship in 1979 and the Constructors' Championship in 1983, for a salary of $60 million over two years. He left Benetton a year before his contract with them expired; he later cited the team's damaging actions in 1994 as his reason for opting out of his deal. In 1997, Schumacher lured Benetton employees Rory Byrne (designer) and Ross Brawn (technical director) to Ferrari. Ferrari had previously come close to the championship in 1982 and 1990. The team had suffered a disastrous downturn in the early 1990s, partially as its famous V12 engine was no longer competitive against the smaller, lighter, and more fuel-efficient V10s of its competitors. Various drivers, notably Alain Prost, had given the vehicles disparaging labels, such as "truck", "pig", and "accident waiting to happen". Furthermore, the poor performance of the Ferrari pit crews was considered a running joke. At the end of 1995, although the team had improved into a solid competitor, it was still considered inferior to front-running teams like Benetton and Williams. Schumacher declared the Ferrari F310 good enough to win a championship, although afterwards his teammate Eddie Irvine labelled the F310 "an awful car", a "piece of junk", and "almost undriveable", while designer John Barnard admitted that the car "wasn't very good". Irvine also later commented: "The '96 car was a disaster and was nearly undriveable. Only someone of Michael Schumacher's ability − and maybe Senna – could have driven it."
During winter testing, Schumacher first drove a Ferrari, their 1995 Ferrari 412 T2, and was two seconds faster than former regulars Jean Alesi and Gerhard Berger had been. Alesi and Berger were allowed to drive Schumacher's Benetton B195 with which he won the World Championship in 1995, and they could not believe how Schumacher had won with it, calling it "the ugly ducking" for being so ugly to drive and having many crashes. In a 1999 interview with his 1994 and 1995 World Championship rival Damon Hill, Schumacher recalled: "You remember when I left Benetton, and Alesi and Berger took their first steps in that Benetton? You remember how many crashes they had? ... I mean, that car was really unbelievable. Really difficult to drive. It was so edgy. But it was fast when you just drove it exactly on that edge. Now, though, there have been a lot of aerodynamic improvements to the cars and so the cars I have driven have been a lot more stable. And that applies to most of the cars today."
1996–1999: World Championship challenges and injury
Stirling Moss about Schumacher at the 1996 Spanish Grand Prix"It was not a race. It was a demonstration of brilliance."
In 1996, Schumacher finished third in the Drivers' Championship and helped Ferrari to second place in the Constructors' Championship ahead of his old team Benetton. During the season, the car had reliability problems; Schumacher did not finish in 7 of the 16 races. At the French Grand Prix, Schumacher took pole position but suffered engine failure on the formation lap. He won three races, more than the team's total tally for the period from 1991 to 1995, despite a poor chassis. He took his first win for Ferrari at the Spanish Grand Prix, where he lapped the entire field up to third place in the wet. After a bad start, which saw him dropping from third to sixth place, before taking the lead on lap 19, he consistently lapped five seconds faster than the rest of the field in the difficult conditions. At the Belgian Grand Prix, he used well-timed pit stops to fend off Williams' Jacques Villeneuve. He also took first place at the Italian Grand Prix to win in front of the tifosi (Ferrari fans).
Schumacher and Villeneuve competed for the title in 1997, despite never sharing a podium and almost never battling directly on the track, in what has been described as the sport's most dramatic and controversial season finale. Villeneuve, driving the superior Williams FW19, led the championship in the early part of the season. Schumacher first win of the season came at the wet Monaco Grand Prix, in which he took a six-second lead after one lap. By mid-season, despite possibly driving not even the second-fastest car on the grid, Schumacher had taken the championship lead, winning five races, and entered the season's finale (the European Grand Prix at the Jerez circuit) with a one-point advantage. In qualifying, Schumacher set the same fastest lap as Villeneuve and Heinz-Harald Frentzen. He started in second position as Villeneuve set his fastest lap first but was able to jump him at the start. Towards the end of the race, Schumacher's Ferrari developed a coolant leak and loss of performance indicating he might not finish the race. As Villeneuve approached to pass his rival on lap 48, Schumacher turned in on him but retired from the race. Villeneuve went on and scored four points to take the championship. Despite public outcry, the race stewards did not initially award any penalty, as they had deemed it a racing incident; two weeks after the race, in an unprecedented move, Schumacher was disqualified from the entire 1997 Drivers' Championship after an FIA disciplinary hearing found that his "manoeuvre was an instinctive reaction and although deliberate not made with malice or premeditation, it was a serious error." Initially feeling wronged, Schumacher accepted the decision and admitted having made a mistake, upon seeing the footage when he got out of the car and adrenaline had worn off. His actions were widely condemned in British, German, and Italian newspapers. Another view is that Villeneuve went into the corner too fast; without Schumacher turning into him, he would have overshot the turn and ended up in the gravel. In later years, Villeneuve himself admitted that he "would never have made that corner without push", and Schumacher stated in 2009 that if he could have his career over again, he would "do some things differently", citing Jerez 1997 as something that he would have changed in his career.
In 1998, Finnish driver Mika Häkkinen became Schumacher's main title rival. Driving the superior McLaren MP4/13, Häkkinen won the first two races of the season, gaining a 16-point advantage over Schumacher, who then won the Argentine Grand Prix. With the Ferrari improving significantly in the second half of the season, Schumacher took six victories and had five other podium finishes. One of his victories was at the Hungarian Grand Prix, a track where overtaking is difficult and that favoured McLaren; Schumacher drove 19 consecutive qualifying-like laps to make Ross Brawn's alternative three-stop strategy work and to go from third to first place. Brawn had told him: "Michael, you have 19 laps to pull out 25 seconds. We need 19 qualifying laps from you." Schumacher ultimately came nine seconds ahead of David Coulthard. Häkkinen, who started on pole, achieved only a point due to reliability issues. Ferrari took a 1–2 finish at the French Grand Prix, the first Ferrari 1–2 finish since 1990, and at the Italian Grand Prix, which tied Schumacher with Häkkinen for the lead of the Drivers' Championship with 80 points.
There were two controversies during the 1998 season. At the British Grand Prix, Schumacher was leading on the last lap when he turned into the pit lane, crossed the start-finish line, and stopped to serve his ten-second stop-go penalty, which was a result of overtaking the lapped car of Alexander Wurz during a safety car period. There was some doubt whether this counted as serving the penalty; because he had crossed the finish line when he came into the pit lane, the win was valid. The FIA rescinded the penalty due to taking 31 minutes, rather than within the 25 minutes limit, and rejected McLaren's protest. At the Belgian Grand Prix, Schumacher was leading the race by 40 seconds in heavy spray but collided with Coulthard's McLaren when the Scot, a lap down, slowed on the racing line in poor visibility to let Schumacher past. His Ferrari lost a wheel but could return to the pits, although he was forced to retire. Schumacher leaped out of his car and headed to McLaren's garage in an infuriated manner and accused Coulthard of "trying to kill" him. Coulthard admitted five years later that the accident had been his mistake. From a possible three-point lead, Schumacher was still seven points behind Häkkinen. Heading into the final race, the Japanese Grand Prix, Häkkinen held a four-point advantage over Schumacher, who started on pole but stalled and caused the start to be aborted, which meant he had to start from the back of the field. He made a comeback up to third but retired after hitting debris from an accident. Häkkinen won the Drivers' Championship by winning the final two races despite Schumacher being the polesitter both times, continuing Ferrari's longest World Championship drought.
In 1999, Schumacher's efforts helped Ferrari win the Constructors' Championship, the team's first title since 1983. He lost his chance to win the Drivers' Championship at the British Grand Prix at the high-speed Stowe Corner; his car's rear brake failed, sending him off the track into the barriers and resulting in a broken leg. During his 98-day absence, he was replaced by Finnish driver Mika Salo. About his return, Schumacher's Eddie Irvine teammate recalled: "It was amazing. I remember me and Mika Salo were testing at Mugello, which is one of the hardest circuits in the world – and he hadn't driven for eight months. He got in the car and within a lap he was a tenth or two tenths slower than I was. How do you do that? And then of course a couple of laps later he's half a second quicker and – it's just impossible. It's really really annoying, but it was an honour to be able to see his telemetry and see the things he could do with a car." After missing six races, he made his return at the inaugural Malaysian Grand Prix, qualifying in pole position with his career's greatest pole margin, with his time faster than Eddie Irvine by almost a second. He then assumed the role of second driver, helping Irvine to victory and assisting his teammate's bid to win the Drivers' Championship for Ferrari, with Irvine leading the championship by one point. About Schumacher's role, Irvine stated: "He is not only the best driver in the world, he is also the best number two in the world." In the last race of the season, the Japanese Grand Prix, Häkkinen won his second consecutive title after he beat him off the line. Schumacher later said that Häkkinen was "the best opponent I've had" and the one he respected the most.
2000–2004: Five consecutive World Championships
In 2000, Schumacher won his third Drivers' Championship, his first with Ferrari, after a year-long battle with Häkkinen. Schumacher won the first three races of the season and five of the first eight. Midway through the year, Schumacher's chances suffered with three consecutive non-finishes, allowing Häkkinen to close the gap in the standings. At the German Grand Prix qualifying session, which was largely decided in the opening 10 minutes of semi-dry weather, Schumacher was able to improve his time in the final seconds and qualified second. In the race, he retired after crashing out at the start, as his new teammate Rubens Barrichello took his maiden win from 18th. Häkkinen then took another two victories, before Schumacher won at the Italian Grand Prix, his 41st career win. At the post-race press conference, after equalling the number of wins won by his idol Ayrton Senna, Schumacher broke into tears. The championship fight came down to the penultimate race of the season, the Japanese Grand Prix. Starting from pole position, Schumacher lost the lead to Häkkinen at the start. After his second pit stop, Schumacher came out ahead of Häkkinen and went on to win the race and the Drivers' Championship; he later described it as the fight of his life. Although Schumacher won more than twice as many Grands Prix as Häkkinen, BBC Sport journalist Andrew Benson stated that "the challenge from Mika Hakkinen and McLaren-Mercedes was far stronger than the raw statistics suggest" and that the Adrian Newey-designed McLaren was "the fastest car in F1 for the third straight year". Benson also hailed Schumacher as "unquestionably the greatest driver of his era".
In 2001, Schumacher took his fourth Drivers' title. Four other drivers won races but none sustained a season-long challenge for the championship. Schumacher scored a record-tying nine wins and clinched the World Championship with four races yet to run. He finished the championship with 123 points, 58 ahead of runner-up Coulthard. Season highlights included the Spanish Grand Prix, where he won after Häkkinen retired on the last lap due to his car's engine blowing up leading Schumacher to say he was sorry for him and that they had been "bloody lucky"; Canadian Grand Prix, where Schumacher finished second to his brother Ralf, thus scoring the first-ever 1–2 finish by brothers in Formula One; and the Belgian Grand Prix, in which Schumacher scored his 52nd career win, breaking Alain Prost's record for most career wins that had stood since 1993.
In 2002, Schumacher retained his Drivers' Championship. In winning the Drivers' Championship, he equalled the record set by Juan Manuel Fangio of five World Championships. Ferrari won 15 out of 17 races, and Schumacher won the title with six races remaining in the season, which is still the earliest point in the season for a driver to be crowned World Champion. Schumacher broke his own record, shared with Nigel Mansell, of nine race wins in a season, by winning 11 times and finishing every race on the podium. He finished with 144 points, a record-breaking 67 points ahead of the runner-up, his teammate Barrichello. This pair finished nine of the 17 races in the first two places.
During the 2002 season, there was some controversy at the Austrian Grand Prix, where Barrichello was leading but in the final metres of the race, under team orders, slowed down to allow Schumacher to win the race. Although the switching of positions did not break any actual sporting or technical regulation, as Ferrari did the same at the Austrian Grand Prix the previous year where Schumacher finishe second and Barrichello third, it angered fans and it was claimed that the team's actions showed a lack of sportsmanship and respect to the spectators. Many argued that Schumacher did not need to be given wins in only the sixth race of the season, which he would have won anyway, a view also shared by Jean Todt and Ross Brawn in retrospect, particularly given that he had already won four of the previous five Grands Prix, and that Barrichello had dominated the race weekend up to that point. At the podium ceremony, Schumacher pushed Barrichello onto the top step, and the Ferrari team incurred a $1 million fine for this disturbance. Schumacher vowed to pay back Barrichello, and later that same year returned the favour in several races to help him finish second in the standings. At the United States Grand Prix, Schumacher returned the favour, by giving Barrichello the win by 0.011 seconds, the second-closest margin on the finishing line in Formula One history in a failed dead heat finish. In an unplanned finish, Schumacher's explanation varied between it being him "returning the favour" for Austria, or trying to engineer a formation finish—a feat derided as near-impossible in a sport where timings are taken to within a thousandth of a second. After the end of the season, the FIA banned "team orders which interfere with the race result"; the ban was lifted for the 2011 season because the ruling was difficult to enforce.
Schumacher broke Fangio's 46-year record of five Drivers' Championships by winning the drivers' title for the sixth time in 2003, after a closely contested battle with his main rivals, which was also a result of lobbying regarding the Michelin tyres. Before the season started, the FIA introduced new regulations and a new points system to make the championship more open. The biggest competition came from the McLaren-Mercedes and Williams-BMW teams. In the first race, Schumacher was run off track, and he was involved in collisions in the following two. He fell 16 points behind McLaren's Kimi Räikkönen. Despite the death of his mother Elisabeth just hours before the race, Schumacher won the San Marino Grand Prix despite losing the first position going into turn one. He also won the next two races and closed within two points of Räikkönen. Aside from Schumacher's victory at the Canadian Grand Prix and Barrichello's victory at the British Grand Prix, the mid-season was dominated by Williams drivers Ralf Schumacher and Juan Pablo Montoya, who each claimed two victories. After the Hungarian Grand Prix, Schumacher led Montoya and Räikkönen by only one and two points, respectively. Ahead of the next race, the FIA announced changes to the way tyre widths were to be measured: this forced Michelin, supplier to Williams and McLaren among others, to rapidly redesign their tyres before the Italian Grand Prix. Schumacher, running on Bridgestone tyres, won the next two races. After Montoya was penalised in the United States Grand Prix, only Schumacher and Räikkönen remained in contention for the title. At the final round, the Japanese Grand Prix, Schumacher needed only one point whilst Räikkönen needed to win. By finishing the race in eighth place, Schumacher took one point and assured his sixth Drivers' title, ending the season two points ahead of Räikkönen.
In 2004, Schumacher won a record 12 of the first 13 races of the season, including the inaugural Bahrain Grand Prix and the Japanese Grand Prix, only failing to finish in Monaco after an accident with Montoya during a safety car period. In August 2004, Schumacher's win at the Hungarian Grand Prix contributed to Ferrari's sixth consecutive Constructors' Championship, and he later clinched a seventh Drivers' Championship at the Belgian Grand Prix. Earlier in July at the French Grand Prix, Schumacher beat polesitter Fernando Alonso with a four-stop strategy. He finished the season with a record 148 points, 34 points ahead of the runner-up Barrichello, and set a new record of 13 race wins out of a possible 18, surpassing his previous best of 11 wins from the 2002 season. Between 2000 and 2004, Schumacher achieved five Drivers' Championships, 48 wins, and almost all Formula One records. With his fifth Drivers' Championship in a row, he also broke Fangio's record of consecutive titles that had stood for nearly fifty years.
2005–2006: Regulation changes and first retirement
Rule changes for the 2005 season required tyres to last an entire race, tipping the overall advantage to teams using Michelins over teams like Ferrari that relied on Bridgestone tyres. The rule changes were partly in an effort to dent Ferrari's dominance and make the series more interesting. The most notable moment of the early season for Schumacher was his battle with Renault R25 driver Fernando Alonso at the San Marino Grand Prix, where he started 13th and finished only 0.2 seconds behind Alonso. Less than halfway through the season, Schumacher stated: "I don't think I can count myself in this battle any more. It was like trying to fight with a blunted weapon. If your weapons are weak you don't have a chance." Schumacher's sole win in 2005 came at the United States Grand Prix in a 1–2 finish with Rubens Barrichello. Before that race, the Michelin tyres were found to have significant safety issues. When no compromise between the teams and the FIA could be reached, all but the three teams using Bridgestone tyres dropped out of the race after the formation lap, leaving only six drivers on the grid. Schumacher retired in 6 of the 19 races, and finished the season in third with 62 points, fewer than half the points of World Champion Alonso.
2006 became the last season of Schumacher's Ferrari career. After three races, Schumacher had just 11 points and was already 17 points behind Alonso. He won the following two races; his pole position at San Marino Grand Prix was his 66th, breaking Ayrton Senna's 12-year-old record, which was described as perhaps the greatest record that stood in the sport, and was a reversal of the 2005 race. Schumacher was stripped of pole position at the Monaco Grand Prix and started the race at the back of the grid, as he stopped his car and blocked part of the circuit while Alonso was on his qualifying lap; he still managed to work his way up to fifth place on the notoriously cramped Monaco circuit. Before the Turkish Grand Prix, the fourteenth race of the season, the FIA banned Renault's mass damper, with the superior Renault R26 suddenly no longer as competitive. By the Canadian Grand Prix, the ninth race of the season, Schumacher was 25 points behind Alonso; he then won the following three races, including at Hockenheim, to reduce his disadvantage to 11, and to 10 by Turkey. Since Canada, Ferrari won six out of seven races, including at Monza, with Schumacher winning in five of them. After further victories at the Italian Grand Prix, where he announced his retirement at the end of the season, and at the Chinese Grand Prix, in what would be his 91th and final career win, Schumacher led in the championship standings for the first time during the season. After his win in Italy, Ferrari issued a press release stating that Schumacher would retire from racing at the end of the 2006 season but would continue working for the team. The tifosi and the Italian press, who did not always take to Schumacher's relatively cold public persona, displayed an affectionate response after he announced his retirement.
After qualifying second, Schumacher led the Japanese Grand Prix in what could have seen him heading into the season finale with two points ahead of Alonso. With only 16 laps to go, his car suffered an engine failure for the first time since the French Grand Prix, ending a 58-race sequence without a mechanical retirement, handing Alonso the victory. He also conceded the title; to win the Drivers' Championship, Schumacher would have had to win the final race and Alonso had to fail to score any point, and he did not wish to win the title like that. During the pre-race ceremonies of the season's last race, the Brazilian Grand Prix, former football player Pelé presented a trophy to Schumacher for his achievements in Formula One. A fuel pressure problem prevented Schumacher from completing a single lap during the third qualifying session, forcing him to start the race in tenth position. Early in the race, Schumacher moved up to sixth place but suffered a puncture caused by the front wing of Giancarlo Fisichella's Renault. Schumacher fell to 19th place, 70 seconds behind teammate and race leader Felipe Massa. Schumacher recovered and overtook both Fisichella and Räikkönen, his successor at Ferrari following his retirement, to secure fourth place. His performance was praised, as he had the pace to win the race by a lap, and was variously classified in the press as "heroic", an "utterly breath-taking drive", and a "performance that ... sums up his career".
During the following weeks, Schumacher, Brawn, Byrne, and Todt were credited for turning the struggling Ferrari team into the most successful team in Formula One history, with Schumacher scoring 72 Grand Prix wins at Ferrari and winning five consecutive Drivers' titles. Three-time World Champion Jackie Stewart believed the transformation of the Ferrari team was Schumacher's greatest feat. During his time at the team, Schumacher became the byword for Formula One and motorsports in general. At the end of 2006, Schumacher's 91 wins were 40 more than Alain Prost, who was his nearest rival. Schumacher held at least thirty-one records, including for most championship titles (7), consecutive titles (5), race victories (91), consecutive wins 7 (2004), wins with one team (72, Ferrari), wins at same Grand Prix (8, France), wins at different Grands Prix (20), time between first and last wins (14 years, 1 month, and 2 days), second places (43), podiums (154), consecutive podium finishes (19, 2001–2002), points finishes (190), laps leading (4.741, or 22,155 km), pole positions (68), front row starts (115), fastest laps (76), doubles (pole and win, 40), hat-tricks (pole, fastest lap, and win, 22), championship points (1,369), consecutive race finishes (24, 2001–2003), consecutive points finishes (24), points in a season for the runner-up (121 out of 180, 2006), wins in a season for the runner-up (7, 2006), races for same car and engine builder (180, Ferrari), wins at Indianapolis (5), wins at Monza (5), wins in a season (13, 2004), fastest laps in a season (10, 2004), points scored in a season (148, 2004), podium finishes in a season (17, 2002), championship won with most races left (6, 2002), and consecutive years with a win (15).
2007–2009: New roles at Ferrari, motorcycle racing and injury
During the 2007 season, Schumacher acted as Ferrari's adviser and Jean Todt's super assistant. Schumacher also helped Ferrari with their development programme at the Jerez circuit. He focused on testing electronics and tyres for the 2008 season. During 2008, Schumacher also competed in motorcycle racing in the IDM Superbike series. At a Superbike cup race at the Pannónia-Ring, Schumacher finished third out of twenty-seven—behind professional motorcycle racers Martin Bauer and Andreas Meklau—riding a Honda CBR1000RR.
At the Hungarian Grand Prix on 25 July 2009, Ferrari's Felipe Massa was seriously injured after being struck by a suspension spring during qualifying. Ferrari announced that they planned to draft in Schumacher for the European Grand Prix and subsequent Grands Prix until Massa was able to race again. Schumacher tested a modified Ferrari F2007 to prepare himself as he had been unable to test the Ferrari F60 due to testing restrictions. Ferrari appealed for special permission for Schumacher to test in a 2009 season spec car; Williams, Red Bull, and Toro Rosso were against this test. In the end, Schumacher was forced to call off his return due to the severity of the neck injury he had received in a motorcycle accident earlier in the year. Instead, Massa's place was first filled by Luca Badoer and later on by Fisichella. Schumacher described this aborted return to Formula One as his "toughest moment".
Mercedes (2010–2012)
Mercedes' team principal Toto Wolff about Schumacher's influence on the Mercedes team"He played a crucial role when we re-joined F1 and was one of the people who laid the foundation for our future success. We're extremely grateful for everything he did for us."
In December 2009, Schumacher announced his return to Formula One for the 2010 season alongside fellow German driver and 24-years-old Nico Rosberg in the new Mercedes GP team. The 2009 season had ended with Brawn GP (taking over from Honda) winning both titles, after winning six of the first seven races. For the 2010 season, Mercedes returned to the sport as a constructor for the first time since 1955, and Schumacher rejoined team principal Ross Brawn, who was behind all of his seven World Championships. Schumacher stated that his preparations to replace the injured Massa had initiated a renewed interest in Formula One, which, combined with the opportunity to fulfil a long-held ambition to drive for Mercedes and to be working again with team principal Ross Brawn, led Schumacher to accept the offer once he was passed fit. Speaking to the BBC, Schumacher said: "I want to have fun out there and I feel as fresh as ever. I've recharged myself after a three-year break. The challenge is what I look for – I want to know it."
Schumacher signed a three-year contract, reportedly worth £20 million. Schumacher's comeback was the most high profile in Formula One since Niki Lauda came out of a two-year retirement for the 1982 season to race for McLaren and went on to win a third world title in 1984. He turned 41 in 2010, the same age Nigel Mansell won the 1994 Australian Grand Prix after having stepped in as a substitute following the death of Ayrton Senna, and his prospects with Mercedes were compared with Nigel Mansell, who had won a title at 39 and last competed aged 41; Damon Hill, who competed his final season at 39; and Juan Manuel Fangio, Formula One's oldest champion who was 46 when he won his fifth title.
2010: Return from retirement
After having impressed in the free practices, Schumacher finished sixth in the first race of the season at the Bahrain Grand Prix, 1,239 days after his previous Formula One race. He finished behind teammate Nico Rosberg in each of the first four qualifying sessions and races; former driver Stirling Moss suggested that Schumacher might be "past it". Several other former Formula One drivers thought otherwise, including former rival Damon Hill, who warned "you should never write Schumacher off". GrandPrix.com identified the inherent understeer of the Mercedes car, exacerbated by the narrower front tyres introduced for the 2010 season, as contributing to Schumacher's difficulties. Jenson Button would later claim that Mercedes's car was designed for him, as he would initially drive for the team, and that their differing driving styles may have contributed to Schumacher's difficulties.
Mercedes upgraded their car for the Spanish Grand Prix where Schumacher finished fourth. At the Monaco Grand Prix, Schumacher finished sixth after passing Ferrari's Fernando Alonso on the final corner before the finish line when the safety car returned to the pits. Mercedes held that "the combination of the race control messages 'Safety Car in this lap' and 'Track Clear' and the green flags and lights shown by the marshals after safety car line one indicated that the race was not finishing under the safety car and all drivers were free to race." An FIA investigation found Schumacher guilty of breaching safety car regulations and awarded him a 20-seconds penalty, dropping him to 12th. In doing so, the FIA sought to clarify the regulations post-race, as the new and old rules appeared to be in conflict.
At the Turkish Grand Prix, Schumacher qualified fifth and finished fourth in the race, both his best results since his return. At the European Grand Prix in Valencia, Schumacher finished 15th, the lowest recorded finish in his career. At the Hungarian Grand Prix, Rubens Barrichello attempted to pass Schumacher down the inside on the main straight. Schumacher closed the inside line to force Barrichello onto the outside; Barrichello persisted on the inside at 180 mph (290 km/h) despite the close proximity of a concrete wall and Schumacher leaving him only inches to spare. Schumacher, who finished 12th, was found guilty of dangerous driving and was demoted ten places on the grid for the following race, the Belgian Grand Prix, where he finished seventh despite starting 21st after his grid penalty. At the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, Schumacher was involved in a major accident on the first lap, after Vitantonio Liuzzi's car collided with Schumacher's, barely missing his head. Schumacher finished the season in ninth place with 72 points. For the first time since 1991, Schumacher finished a year without a win, pole position, podium, or fastest lap.
2011–2012: Final podium and second retirement
After starting the 2011 season with a retirement, Schumacher's first points were scored at the Malaysian Grand Prix where he finished ninth; Schumacher later came sixth in Spain, and he took fourth place at the Canadian Grand Prix, after running as high as second in a wet race; his Canadian race was seen at the time as his most convincing performance since he came out of retirement. Despite starting last at the Belgian Grand Prix, twenty years after his debut, Schumacher finished fifth. The Japanese Grand Prix saw Schumacher lead three laps during the race, marking the first time he had led a race since 2006. In doing so, he became the oldest driver to lead a race since Jack Brabham in 1970. Schumacher finished the season in eighth place in the Drivers' Championship, with 76 points.
Schumacher was again partnered by Nico Rosberg at Mercedes for the 2012 season. After qualifying fourth in what was his best qualifying since his return, he retired from the season's inaugural Australian Grand Prix, and scored a point in the second round at the Malaysian Grand Prix with intermittent rain, after qualifying third. At the Chinese Grand Prix, Schumacher started on the front row but retired due to a loose wheel after a mechanic's error during a pit stop. After causing a collision with Bruno Senna at the Spanish Grand Prix, Schumacher received a five-place grid penalty for the Monaco Grand Prix. Twenty-one years into his career, Schumacher was fastest in qualifying in Monaco but started sixth owing to his penalty. He later retired from seventh place in the race. At the European Grand Prix, Schumacher finished third, his only podium finish since his return to Formula One. At 43 years and 173 days, he became the oldest driver to achieve a podium since 1970, when Jack Brabham achieved second-place finish at the British Grand Prix. At the German Grand Prix, Schumacher set the fastest lap for the 77th time in his career. At the Belgian Grand Prix, Schumacher became the second driver in history (after Rubens Barrichello) to race in 300 Grands Prix; he took seventh place after starting 13th.
Schumacher's indecision over his future plans led to him being replaced by Lewis Hamilton at Mercedes for the 2013 season. In October 2012, days before the Japanese Grand Prix, Schumacher announced he would retire for a second time, stating: "There were times in the past few months in which I didn't want to deal with Formula One or prepare for the next Grand Prix." In what would be his 308th and last entry and 306th race start, Schumacher concluded the season with a seventh-place finish at the Brazilian Grand Prix, which was also the position he started his first Formula One race. During the race, he symbolically pulled over for fellow German Sebastian Vettel en route to his then third Drivers' Championship. Schumacher finished 13th in the 2012 Drivers' Championship. During his comeback, he led three laps but never won a race and never finished higher than eighth in the overall Formula One standings. He closed his career with 91 wins, 155 podiums, and 68 pole positions, which at the time were all records. Before it was surpassed by Hamilton in 2020, Schumacher's 91 wins were one short of the combined win totals of Ayrton Senna and Alain Prost.
Despite a difficult three years, which included adaptation to significant different regulations and new Pirelli tyres, as well as rust, and being bested by his teammate, he had improved in the last two years where he arguably outraced Rosberg but bad luck and mechanical failures did not reflect it at the standings. It has been argued that it was his 2009 motorcycle accident why the comeback had not been successful. In the words of Mark Hughes, "I believe his motorcycle accident, and the damaged neurons from a neck injury that in 90 per cent of cases is fatal, was probably more responsible for his lack of form second time around than age or length of absence."
From 2014 to 2021, Mercedes went on to win a record-breaking (of Schumacher's Ferrari from 1999 to 2004) eight Constructors' Championships under Hamilton, Rosberg, and Valtteri Bottas. Ross Brawn said that "Michael's contribution to our development and the future of our team has been significant", and observed: "In my opinion, he is the greatest Formula One driver, and the records which he holds in our sport speak volumes for his success and commitment." Brawn also stated that had Schumacher not retired in 2012 and not suffered a ski injury in 2013, he would have had a chance at winning his eighth World Championship in 2014. In 2023, Williams team principal James Vowles, who was Mercedes chief strategist during Schumacher's time at the team between 2010 and 2012 and was instrumental in the team's success in the mid-to-late 2010s, said that Schumacher brought Mercedes together. Vowles added: " also knew his performance was perhaps not quite at the same level, but he made up for it in terms of the amount of work and dedication he put in. From that, Nico learned a lot and conversely, Lewis learned a lot from Nico."
Driver profile and legacy
Profile
Toto Wolff about Schumacher"No one will ever be greater than Schumi. Michael has shaped a generation like no other, he is iconic."
Schumacher was noted throughout his career for his speed and racecraft, and his ability to produce fast laps at crucial moments in a race and to push his car to the very limit for sustained periods. He was also noted for his work ethic, pioneering fitness regimen, and ability to galvanise teams around him. In 2004, Slate magazine described Schumacher as "the ultimate driving machine" and "the most dominant athlete in the world" due to him having become "quicker, stronger, and fitter than the competition by outworking them in the weight room". The magazine also stated that Schumacher changed the sport as he set a new benchmark for other drivers and built the team and technologies around him. Schumacher exercised four hours a day, mostly to strengthen his neck muscles to better withstand G-forces during races. After his gym session, he would often head to the race track for testing. In 2003, Deutsche Welle highlighted Schumacher's "natural talent" for racing and his "discipline and leadership". In 2023, former Formula One rival Giancarlo Fisichella observed that Schumacher "did not even seem to have sweated" during races, adding that Schumacher is the greatest Formula One driver of all time and "rewrote the history of Formula One".
In 2003, F1 Racing magazine analysed Schumacher's driving style using telemetry data. It was observed that Schumacher was very sensitive and flexible on the gas and brakes. Compared with his Ferrari teammate Rubens Barrichello, who often either braked or accelerated in a corner, Schumacher usually braked later into a corner and stabilised his car by accelerating slightly, often using both the brake and accelerator pedals at the same time. Exiting a corner, Schumacher accelerated considerably and balanced his car by braking lightly. Martin Brundle talked about being in awe upon seeing Schumacher's telemetry showing he took turn one on full throttle at the Suzuka circuit. With his driving style, Schumacher also went 25 km/h faster through the hairpin corner of Suzuka compared to Barrichello, who lost 0.3 seconds to Schumacher in this corner. It was also observed that when needed, such as when the brakes started to overheat, Schumacher adapted his driving style to protect the brakes.
Motor Sport author Christopher Hilton observed in 2003 that a "measure of a driver's capabilities is his performance in wet races, because the most delicate car control and sensitivity are needed", and commented that, like other great drivers, Schumacher's record in wet conditions shows very few mistakes; up to the end of 2003, Schumacher won 17 of the 30 races in wet conditions he contested. Some of Schumacher's best performances occurred in such conditions, earning him the nicknames Regenkönig ("Rain King"), or Regenmeister ("Rain Master"), even in the non-German-language media. He is further known as "the Red Baron" because of his red Ferrari and in reference to the German Manfred von Richthofen, the famous flying ace of the First World War. Schumacher's nicknames also include "Schumi", "Schuey", and "Schu".
Schumacher was noted for beating all his teammates during his Formula One career, except for his not-fully debut season against three-time World Champion Nelson Piquet, once for 1999 World Championship runner-up Eddie Irvine due to missing six races after a leg injury, and future 2016 World Champion Nico Rosberg when he was in his 40s. Schumacher was also noted for outperforming his cars and for his ability to operate at his peak on every lap, having won significant more races than he had either pole positions or fastest laps. Apart from dominating the 1995, 2001, 2002, and 2004 World Championships (with 2002 and 2004 being the sole years where he drove the clear-cut fastest car as Barrichello was the runner-up both years), he won the competitive 2003 World Championship and either won (three times) or narrowly missed (two times) World Championships despite arguably driving an inferior car (1994, 1995, 1997, 1998, and 2000), and arguably would have won in 1999 had it been for the injury, as the performance gap from McLaren was far smaller than in 1998. Since the 1994 death of Senna, Schumacher was widely regarded as the fastest driver in Formula One and the most dominant driver of his era. During his long career, Schumacher was also involved in several controversies, most notability the 1994 and 1997 World Championship seasons finals and the 2006 Monaco qualifying. These episodes have been seen as a result of Schumacher's will-to-win mentality. In 2020, Martin Brundle commented: "The make-up of a champion is one of such inner self-belief that occasionally it shows up as flaws. The majority of the sporting greats I've met drive themselves forwards because they are always dissatisfied. But look at what Michael achieved, the speed at which he achieved it, and what he accomplished at two different teams. It's so hard to get to F1, to stay in it, to score podiums, and win races. And that guy won 91 of them, some of them in a class of one."
In a 2006 FIA survey, Schumacher was voted the most popular driver of the season among Formula One fans. Schumacher was subject to anti-German prejudices throughout his career, however, especially from the British media. About his collision with Schumacher in 1994, British driver Damon Hill wrote: "There are two things that set Michael apart from the rest of the drivers in Formula One − his sheer talent and his attitude. I am full of admiration for the former, but the latter leaves me cold." In addition to Hill, Schumacher also had rivalries with Mika Häkkinen, whom he beat for his first World Championship at Ferrari and the team's first Drivers' Championship since the 1979 season, and Fernando Alonso, who ended Schumacher's five-consecutive titles in the 2000s. Despite only facing him during Schumacher's brief comeback in the 2010s, Lewis Hamilton is also seen a rival due to their similar achievements and driving styles, and cited Schumacher as an inspiration.
Helmet
Schumacher, in conjunction with Schuberth, helped develop the first lightweight carbon fibre reinforced polymer helmet. In 2004, a prototype was publicly tested by being driven over by a tank; it survived intact. The helmet kept the driver cool by funneling directed airflow through fifty holes. Schumacher's original helmet sported the colours of the German flag and his sponsor's decals. On the top was a blue circle with white astroids. From the 2000 Monaco Grand Prix, in order to differentiate his colours from his new teammate Rubens Barrichello—whose helmet was predominantly white with a blue circle on top and a red ellipsis surrounding the visor—Schumacher changed the upper blue colour and some of the white areas to red. For the 2006 Brazilian Grand Prix, he wore an all-red helmet that included the names of his ninety-one Grand Prix victories. At the 2011 Belgian Grand Prix, Schumacher's 20th anniversary in Formula One, he wore a commemorative gold-leafed helmet, which included the year of his debut and the seasons of his seven Drivers' titles. During his 300th Grand Prix appearance at the 2012 Belgian Grand Prix, Schumacher wore a platinum-leafed helmet with a message of his achievement.
- Helmet for the 1994 season (Benetton); Schumacher used the Bell Sports helmet for nine years in Formula One, from the Canadian Grand Prix to the Australian Grand Prix.
- Bell helmet for the 1995 season (Benetton); Schumacher kept using this white-coloured helmet after moving to Ferrari in 1996 until he switched its colour to red at the Monaco Grand Prix.
- Schuberth helmet for the 2002 season (Ferrari); at the Malaysian Grand Prix, Schumacher switched his helmet from Bell to Schuberth, although there was a contract with Bell for the 2001 season. From the 2001 season, Schumacher continued to use the Schuberth helmet until his last race in Formula One.
- Schuberth helmet at the Museo Ferrari with the Marlboro logo, which sometimes had to be removed in countries where tobacco advertising was illegal.
- Schuberth helmet for the 2011 season (Mercedes GP); Schumacher kept using a red-coloured helmet at Silver Arrows. Chinese dragon illustration and a Chinese character (力, which stands for "power") are inscribed on the back of the helmet.
Legacy
Schumacher's career spanned three decades and left a lasting impact on the sport, Formula One in particular but also motorsport as a whole, and his influence extended beyond his own racing career; in 2020, he was voted the most influential person in Formula One history. During a large part of his Formula One career, Schumacher was the president of the Grand Prix Drivers' Association, a representative body originally set up in 1961 that had been disbanded in 1982 and Schumacher had helped to relaunch in 1994. Schumacher has also often been credited with popularising Formula One worldwide, especially in Germany, where it was formerly considered a fringe sport. When Schumacher first retired in 2006, three of the top ten drivers in that year's Drivers' standings were German, more than any other nationality. Younger German drivers, such as Sebastian Vettel, felt Schumacher was key in them becoming Formula One drivers. Schumacher was also credited for turning Ferrari into Formula One's most successful team; multi-time World Champion Jackie Stewart believed the transformation of the Ferrari team was Schumacher's greatest feat.
By the time of his first retirement in 2006 and his final retirement in 2012, Schumacher was widely considered among the greatest Formula One drivers, a trend that continued into the 2020s. Several commentators and drivers, including among others multi-time World Champions Niki Lauda and Sebastian Vettel, former rival David Coulthard, former Formula One driver Giancarlo Fisichella, and Mercedes team bosses Ross Brawn and Toto Wolff, have at times described him as the greatest of all time. Schumacher has been described as statistically the most successful driver in Formula One history and the most complete Formula One driver ever. Objective mathematical models, such as Eichenberger and Stadelmann (2009, 3rd), original F1metrics (2014, 4th), Bell et al. (2015, 3rd), FiveThirtyEight (2018, 2nd), and updated F1metrics (2019, 1st), put Schumacher consistenly among the top 5 greatest Formula One drivers ever. By 2004, Schumacher came to hold most major Formula One records, and by 2006, his name was inscribed in almost all of Formula One's record books, including for most World Championships (7), most wins (91), most podiums (155), most pole positions (68), and most fastest laps (77), the latter a record he still holds. Although several of his records were later equalled or beaten, such as the most wins in a season at 13 (a record he first broke in 1995 and then equalled in 2000 and 2001, and further improved in 2002 and 2004), others remain his, such as his 100 percent podium finish in 2002 (17), which included eleven wins, five second places, and one third place.
In 2006, Schumacher was also the driver to have made the most starts with the same constructor (Ferrari, 180) and engine manufacturer (Ferrari, 180). He and Rubens Barrichello were the two drivers who have made the most starts as teammate (102, 2000–2005) and most 1–2 finishes (24 in the same period). Schumacher tied Nigel Mansell in 2004 for the record of most wins at the start of a season, and he tied Senna for most pole positions at the same circuit (eight, with Schumacher at Suzuka and Senna at Imola). At 15 seasons, he holds the record for most consecutive seasons of winning at least one race (shared with Hamilton), and he held the record for most wins at the same venue (eight, at the Magny-Cours circuit in France) and also the record for the most wins in the same Grand Prix (eight, France). At the 2003 Italian Grand Prix, he set the record for the race win at the fastest ever average speed of 247.586 kph (153.843 mph). By 2006, he had spent a record 5,108 of his racing laps in the lead, and led 141 races. He also made the most starts from the front row (115), scored the most points (1,369) before the point-system was overhauled in 2010, finished the most races in the points consecutively (24, from 2001 to 2003), and held the record for most consecutive fastest laps at the same circuit (7). In 2002, he won the World Championship with six rounds to spare, which was earlier in the year than anyone before him (21 July).
Schumacher, who dominated the sport in the 1990s and early 2000s becoming in 1995 the youngest back-to-back World Champion at the time, was noted for his ability in the rain, winning many of the wet races he took part in, most notability Spain in 1996, and for his race pace, being able to set consecutive qualifying fastest laps; due to refuelling, he missed out several pole positions, having set his race strategy through more fuel on board (from his debut in 1991 through to the end of 2002 before the introduction of race-fuel qualifying from 2003 onwards, Schumacher was only outqualified 13 times in 178 race entries), and won 23 percent more races than getting pole positions. He also respectively won 51 and 24 times without starting first or from the front row, and had 48 wins with fastest lap, all three being more than any other driver, and converted 40 of his pole positions to wins at 58 percent, a record number that was later beaten by Hamilton. By the time he first retired in 2006, with 91 wins in 248 starts out of 250 entries (only behind Riccardo Patrese), Schumacher had a win ratio of 36 percent of starts, ahead of Formula One drivers Ayrton Senna and Alain Prost, both of them at 25 percent of starts. He also had 27 percent of pole positions, 30 percent of fastest laps, and the most victories from pole with fastest lap at 22. He also could have won even more races had he went to the dominant teams of the 1990s (Williams and McLaren) and not joined Ferrari in 1996, a view echoed by his former teammate Eddie Irvine, and could have become the first driver to win 100 races were it not for some situations that went beyond his control, such as reliability issues causing him to finish lower than first in 1994, one revoked win in 1994, two unfortunate collisions with Coulthard and Juan Pablo Montoya in 1998 and 2004, the two wins he gave to Irvine and Barrichello in 1999 and 2002, and retirements at the 1994 Spanish Grand Prix, the 2006 Japanese Grand Prix, and the 2012 Monaco Grand Prix.
Personal life
In August 1995, Schumacher married Corinna Betsch. They have two children, a daughter Gina-Maria (born in 1997) and a son, Mick (born in 1999). Schumacher has always been very protective of his private life and is known to dislike the celebrity spotlight. From 1992 to May 1996, Schumacher resided in the Fontvieille district in Monaco. The family moved to a newly built mansion near Gland, Switzerland, in 2007, covering an area of 650-square-metre (7,000 sq ft) with a private beach on Lake Geneva and featuring an underground garage and petrol station, with a vintage Shell fuel pump. Schumacher and his wife own horse ranches in Texas and Switzerland. Schumacher's younger brother Ralf, his son Mick, his nephew David and step-brother Sebastian Stahl have also been racing drivers. Ralf Schumacher competed in Formula One for ten years, starting from 1997 until the end of 2007. Mick became the third Schumacher to race in Formula One, having made his debut with Haas F1 Team in the 2021 season.
Before his skiing accident in 2013, Schumacher's main hobbies included horse riding, motorcycle racing, sky diving, and playing football for his local team FC Echichens. Schumacher appeared in several charity football games, and organised games between Formula One drivers. In 2008, Sammarinese football club SS Murata approached Schumacher to join their squad for their upcoming UEFA Champions League qualifying matches but he turned down the offer. He supports 1. FC Köln, his local football club when he grew up, naming Pierre Littbarski and Harald Schumacher his favourite players. He is a Roman Catholic.
In 2006, Schumacher had a voice role in the Disney/Pixar film Cars. His character is himself as a Ferrari F430 who visits the town of Radiator Springs to get new tires from Luigi and Guido at the recommendation of Lightning McQueen. During arrival, Luigi and Guido both faint in excitement when they see him. The French film Asterix at the Olympic Games features Schumacher in a cameo role as a chariot driver called Schumix. In 2009, Schumacher appeared on the BBC's motoring programme Top Gear as the Stig. Presenter Jeremy Clarkson hinted later in the programme that Schumacher was not the regular Stig, which the BBC subsequently confirmed. Schumacher was there because Ferrari would not allow anyone else to drive the unique black Ferrari FXX that was featured in the show. In July 2021, Netflix announced the first officially approved documentary film about Schumacher—called Schumacher—which was released on 15 September 2021.
Finance and sponsorship
In 1999 and 2000, Forbes magazine listed him as the highest paid athlete in the world. In 2005, EuroBusiness magazine identified Schumacher as the world's first billionaire athlete. In 2005, Forbes ranked him 17th in its "The World's Most Powerful Celebrities" list. A significant share of his income came from advertising; Deutsche Vermögensberatung paid him $8 million over three years from 1999 for wearing a 10 by 8 centimetre advertisement on his post-race cap. In 2010, his personal fortune was estimated at £515 million. In 2017, Forbes designated Schumacher as the athlete with the fifth highest career earnings of all-time.
Philanthropy
Schumacher was a special ambassador to UNESCO and has donated €1.5 million to the organisation. Additionally, he paid for the construction of a school for poor children and for area improvements in Dakar, Senegal. He supported a hospital for child victims of the siege in Sarajevo, which specialises in caring for amputees. In Lima, Peru, he funded the Palace for the Poor, a centre for helping homeless street children obtain an education, clothing, food, medical attention, and shelter. Schumacher told F1 Magazine: "It's great if you can use your fame and the power your fame gives you to draw attention to things that really matter." For the 2002 European floods, Schumacher donated €1 million; years later, Schumacher did the same when he donated €500,000 after the 2013 European floods. He donated $10 million for aid after the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake, which surpassed that of any other sports person, most sports leagues, many worldwide corporations and even some countries. From 2002 to 2006, he donated at least $50 million to various charities. In 2008, he donated between $5 million and $10 million to the Clinton Foundation.
Since his participation in an FIA European road safety campaign, as part of his punishment after the collision at the 1997 European Grand Prix, Schumacher continued to support other campaigns, such as Make Roads Safe, which is led by the FIA Foundation and calls on G8 countries and the United Nations to recognise global road deaths as a major global health issue. In 2008, Schumacher was the figurehead of an advertising campaign by Bacardi to raise awareness about responsible drinking. He featured in an advertising campaign for television, cinema and online media, supported by consumer engagements, public relations and digital media across the world.
2013 skiing accident
On 29 December 2013, Schumacher was skiing with his then 14-year-old son Mick, descending the Combe de Saulire below the Dent de Burgin above Méribel in the French Alps. An experienced skier, while crossing an unsecured off-piste area between Piste Chamois and Piste Mauduit, he fell and hit his head on a rock, sustaining a serious head injury despite wearing a ski helmet. According to his physicians, he would most likely have died had he not been wearing a helmet. He was airlifted to Grenoble Hospital where he underwent two surgical interventions. Schumacher was put into a medically induced coma because of traumatic brain injury. By March 2014, there were small encouraging signs. In early April 2014, he was showing moments of consciousness as he was gradually withdrawn from the medically induced coma.
In June 2014, Schumacher left Grenoble Hospital for further rehabilitation at the Lausanne University Hospital, Switzerland. In September 2014, Schumacher left the hospital and was brought back to his home for further rehabilitation. Since Schumacher's accident, there was little public information about his condition or recovery, with his family asking for privacy. In November 2014, it was reported that Schumacher was "paralysed and in a wheelchair", and that he "cannot speak and has memory problems". In May 2015, Schumacher's manager Sabine Kehm stated that his condition was slowly improving "considering the severeness of the injury he had".
In September 2016, Felix Damm, lawyer for Schumacher, told a German court that his client "cannot walk", in response to reports from December 2015 in German publication Die Bunte that he could walk again. In July 2019, former Ferrari manager Jean Todt stated that Schumacher was making "good progress" but also "struggles to communicate". Todt also said that Schumacher was able to watch Formula One races on television at his home. In September 2019, Le Parisien reported that Schumacher had been admitted to the Hôpital Européen Georges-Pompidou in Paris for treatment by cardiovascular surgeon Philippe Menasché, described as a "pioneer in cell surgery". Following the treatment, which involved him receiving an anti-inflammatory stem cell perfusion, medical staff stated that Schumacher was "conscious".
Schumacher's family maintains strict privacy about his condition since his accident in 2013. In April 2023, Die Aktuelle published what it advertised as a "first interview" with Schumacher, including alleged quotes from him about his health and family; it soon emerged that these responses had been fabricated using generative artificial intelligence. Schumacher's family said that they would sue the magazine, which fired the editor responsible. In September 2024, Schumacher was reportedly present at the wedding of his daughter, Gina, in Spain.
Honours and achievements
Main article: List of career achievements by Michael Schumacher § AwardsSchumacher has been honoured many times. In 1992, the German Motor Sport Federation awarded him the ONS Cup, the highest accolade in German motorsport; he also won the trophy in 1994, 1995, and 2002. In 1993, he won a Bambi Award (Sports) and was the first racing driver to receive the Golden Steering Wheel. In 1994 and from 2001 to 2003, Schumacher was voted European Sportsperson of the Year by the International Sports Press Association. He was voted by Polish Press Agency the European Sportsperson of the Year from 2001 to 2003. In 1995 and from 2000 to 2002, he was named Autosport International Racing Driver of the Year. Schumacher was voted German Sportspersonality of the Year in 1995 and 2004. During the latter year, he was voted Germany's greatest sportsperson of the 20th century, beating Birgit Fischer and Steffi Graf to the accolade. For his sports achievements and his commitment to road safety, Schumacher was awarded Germany's highest sporting accolade, the Silbernes Lorbeerblatt, in 1997. In 2002, for his contributions to sport and his contributions in raising awareness of child education, Schumacher was named as one of the UNESCO Champions for Sport.
Schumacher won the Laureus World Sportsman of the Year in 2002 and 2004, received the Marca Leylenda award in 2001, was named L'Équipe Champion of Champions three times (from 2001 to 2003), won the Gazzetta World Sports Award twice (2001 and 2002), and won the 2003 Lorenzo Bandini Trophy. In honour of Schumacher's racing career and his efforts to improve road safety and the sport, he was awarded an FIA Gold Medal for Motor Sport in 2006. The same year, ahead of his final race for Ferrari at Interlagos on 22 October, football player Pelé presented a "Lifetime Achievement Award" to Schumacher. In 2007, he received the Prince of Asturias Award for Sport for his sporting prowess and his humanitarian record. Together with Sebastian Vettel, Schumacher won the Race of Champions Nations' Cup six times in a row for Germany, from 2007 to 2012. In 2017, Schumacher was inducted into the FIA Hall of Fame and Germany's Sports Hall of Fame. In 2020, Jean Todt honoured Schumacher with the FIA President Award, in recognition of Schumacher's seven World Championships and the "inspiration his sporting and personal commitments brought to the world".
In Sarajevo, Schumacher was granted honorary citizenship, while the Assembly of the Sarajevo Canton renamed major city transversal street after him, and earlier a large street mural was painted in a city neighborhood of Dobrinja by a group of artists. Honorary citizenship was also granted by Maranello, Modena, and Spa. He was appointed Chevalier de la Légion d'honneur, was honoured with the Commander of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic, and was appointed an ambassador of San Marino. In 2008, the Swiss Football Association appointed Schumacher as the country's ambassador for UEFA Euro 2008, hosted by Switzerland and Austria. In recognition of his contribution to Formula One, the Nürburgring circuit renamed turns 9 and 10 as the Schumacher S in 2007. In 2014, the first corner of the Bahrain International Circuit was renamed in honour of Schumacher. He was awarded the State Prize of North Rhine-Westphalia in 2022.
Karting record
Karting career summary
Season | Series | Team | Position |
---|---|---|---|
1984 | CIK-FIA Junior World Cup – ICA | NC | |
German Championship – Junior | 1st | ||
1985 | CIK-FIA Junior World Cup – ICA | 2nd | |
German Championship – Junior | 1st | ||
1986 | German Championship – Senior | 3rd | |
1987 | German Championship – Senior | 1st | |
CIK-FIA European Championship – 100cc | 1st | ||
1994 | Masters of Paris-Bercy – F1 Stars | 1st | |
1996 | CIK-FIA Monaco Kart Cup – FA | 1st | |
Masters of Paris-Bercy – CIK | 1st | ||
2001 | CIK-FIA World Championship – FSA | Tony Kart | 21st |
2007 | Desafio Internacional das Estrelas | 1st | |
2008 | Desafio Internacional das Estrelas | 8th | |
2009 | SKUSA SuperNationals – SuperPro | 9th | |
Desafio Internacional das Estrelas | 1st | ||
Sources: |
Racing record
Career summary
Complete German Formula Three results
(key) (Races in bold indicate pole position) (Races in italics indicate fastest lap)
Year | Entrant | Engine | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | DC | Pts |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1989 | WTS Racing | Volkswagen | HOC 3 |
NÜR 3 |
AVU 3 |
BRN 5 |
ZEL 1 |
HOC 3 |
WUN 12 |
HOC 19 |
DIE 4 |
NÜR 5 |
NÜR 1 |
HOC 3 |
3rd | 163 |
1990 | WTS Racing | Opel | ZOL Ret |
HOC 19 |
NÜR 5 |
AVU 1 |
WUN 1 |
NOR 2 |
ZEL 1 |
DIE 1 |
NÜR 1 |
NÜR 4 |
HOC 2 |
1st | 148 | |
Source: |
Complete World Sportscar Championship results
(key) (Races in bold indicate pole position; races in italics indicate fastest lap)
Year | Entrant | Class | Chassis | Engine | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | Pos. | Pts |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1990 | Team Sauber Mercedes | C | Mercedes-Benz C11 | Mercedes-Benz M119 5.0 V8 t | SUZ | MNZ | SIL DNQ |
SPA | DIJ 2 |
NÜR 2 |
DON | CGV | MEX 1 |
5th | 21 |
1991 | Team Sauber Mercedes | C1 | Mercedes-Benz C291 | Mercedes-Benz M291 3.5 F12 | SUZ Ret |
MNZ Ret |
SIL 2 |
NÜR Ret |
MAG Ret |
MEX Ret |
AUT 1 |
9th | 43 | ||
C2 | Mercedes-Benz C11 | Mercedes-Benz M119 5.0 V8 t | LMS 5 |
||||||||||||
Source: |
Complete Deutsche Tourenwagen Meisterschaft results
Year | Team | Car | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 | Pos. | Pts |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1990 | AMG Motorenbau GmbH | Mercedes 190 E 2.5–16 Evo II | ZOL 1 |
ZOL 2 |
HOC 1 |
HOC 2 |
NÜR 1 |
NÜR 2 |
AVU 1 |
AVU 2 |
MFA 1 |
MFA 2 |
WUN 1 |
WUN 2 |
NÜR 1 |
NÜR 2 |
NOR 1 |
NOR 2 |
DIE 1 |
DIE 2 |
NÜR 1 |
NÜR 2 |
HOC 1 Ret |
HOC 2 DNS |
NC | 0 | ||
1991 | Zakspeed Racing | Mercedes 190 E 2.5–16 Evo II | ZOL 1 |
ZOL 2 |
HOC 1 |
HOC 2 |
NÜR 1 |
NÜR 2 |
AVU 1 |
AVU 2 |
WUN 1 |
WUN 2 |
NOR 1 25 |
NOR 2 Ret |
DIE 1 Ret |
DIE 2 14 |
NÜR 1 |
NÜR 2 |
ALE 1 |
ALE 2 |
HOC 1 |
HOC 2 |
BRN 1 |
BRN 2 |
DON 1 |
DON 2 |
NC | 0 |
Source: Key |
24 Hours of Le Mans results
Year | Team | Co-drivers | Car | Class | Laps | Pos. | Class pos. |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1991 | Team Sauber Mercedes | Karl Wendlinger Fritz Kreutzpointner |
Mercedes-Benz C11 | C2 | 355 | 5th | 5th |
Source: |
Complete Japanese Formula 3000 Championship results
(key)
Year | Entrant | Chassis | Engine | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | Pos. | Pts |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1991 | Team LeMans | Ralt RT23 | Mugen | SUZ | AUT | FUJ | MIN | SUZ | SUG 2 |
FUJ | SUZ | FUJ | SUZ | FUJ | 12th | 6 |
Source: |
Complete Formula One results
(key) (Races in bold indicate pole position; races in italics indicate fastest lap)
Schumacher was disqualified from the 1997 World Drivers' Championship due to dangerous driving in the European Grand Prix, where he caused an avoidable accident with Jacques Villeneuve. His points tally would have placed him in second place in that year's standings.
Driver did not finish the Grand Prix but was classified as he completed over 90% of the race distance.
Formula One records
Schumacher holds the following Formula One records:
Footnotes
- ^ Record shared with Lewis Hamilton
- Record shared with Max Verstappen (2023)
- Record shared with Max Verstappen
- Record shared with Kimi Räikkönen (2005 and 2008)
- Record shared with Lewis Hamilton
- Record shared with Nigel Mansell (British Grand Prix) and Lewis Hamilton (Italian Grand Prix)
- Record shared with Lewis Hamilton (Monza)
See also
- 15761 Schumi
- Forbes list of the world's highest-paid athletes
- Formula One drivers from Germany
- Häkkinen–Schumacher rivalry
- Hill–Schumacher rivalry
- List of career achievements by Michael Schumacher
- Michael Schumacher Racing World Kart 2002
- Schumacher
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{{cite news}}
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General
- Allen, James (1999). Michael Schumacher: Driven to Extremes. Bantam Books. ISBN 978-0-553-81214-5.
- Allen, James (2007). Edge of Greatness. Headline. ISBN 978-0-7553-1678-6.
- Collings, Timothy (2004). The Piranha Club. Virgin Books. ISBN 978-0-7535-0965-4.
- Collings, Timothy (2005). Team Schumacher. Highdown. ISBN 978-1-905156-03-0.
- Domenjoz, Luc (2002). Michael Schumacher: Rise of a genius. Parragon. ISBN 978-0-7525-9228-2.
- Henry, Alan, ed. (1992). Autocourse 1992–93. Hazleton Publishing. ISBN 978-0-905138-96-1.
- Henry, Alan (1996). Wheel to Wheel: Great Duels of Formula One Racing. Weidenfeld Nicolson Illustrated. ISBN 978-0-7538-0522-0.
- Hilton, Christopher (2003). Michael Schumacher: The greatest of all. Haynes. ISBN 978-1-84425-044-8.
- Hilton, Christopher (2006). Michael Schumacher: The Whole Story. Haynes. ISBN 978-1-84425-008-0.
- Kehm, Sabine (2003). Michael Schumacher. Driving Force. Random House. ISBN 978-0-09-189435-1.
- Matchett, Steve (1995). Life in the Fast Lane: The Story of the Benetton Grand Prix Year. London: Weidenfeld and Nicolson. ISBN 978-0-297-81610-2.
- Matchett, Steve (1999). The Mechanic's Tale: Life in the Pit Lanes of Formula One. Osceola, Wisconsin: MBI Pub. ISBN 978-0-7603-0754-0.
- Williams, Richard (1999). The Death of Ayrton Senna. Bloomsbury. ISBN 978-0-7475-4495-1.
External links
- Official website
- Michael Schumacher career summary at DriverDB.com
- Michael Schumacher driver statistics at Racing-Reference
- Kartcenter and Museum
- Kartteam Kaiser-Schumacher-Muchow
- Formula1.com Profile
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- Michael Schumacher
- 1969 births
- 24 Hours of Le Mans drivers
- Ambassadors of San Marino
- Benetton Formula One drivers
- Ferrari Formula One drivers
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- German expatriates in Monaco
- German expatriate sportspeople in Switzerland
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- Living people
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- Sauber Motorsport drivers
- Schumacher family (sports)
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