Michael Schumacher

Michael Schumacher, whose transcendent career prospered along side controversy and drama, was (until Fernando Alonso) the youngest two-time champion in F1 history. Schumacher burst onto the F1 scene at Spa-Francorchamps in 1991, where he qualified 7th for the Belgium GP in his first start for Jordan Grand Prix. He moved on just one race later to Team Benetton, where his career exploded, making him the winningest F1 driver and without a serious rival — despite the 1998-99 resurgence of McLaren led by now-retired Mika Hakkinen — since the death of Aryton Senna in May 1994.

In the transformed environment of Formula One after Senna’s shocking accident while leading in a Williams at Imola — itself coming only one day after another driver was killed in practice, the 1st in a decade — Schumacher blossomed. He became the absolute center of the F1 circus for more than a decade, starting with back-to-back titles in 1994 and 1995. An astounding seven championships later, and after a long and close partnership with designer/strategist Ross Brawn at Ferrari, it is still quite difficult to know whether Schumacher was so much better or if the competition was so much worse.

Regardless, he was extraordinary in many ways and excelled beyond what most thought impossible in overtaking legendary Juan Manuel Fangio’s five F1 titles. The signs were there early and were quite lavishly rewarded. In a metaphor for the astronomical popularity — and cash — generated by the Formula One series under Grand Prix impresario Bernie Ecclestone’s management, Schumacher joined Ferrari for the 1996 season and signed the largest single season contract in racing, or perhaps sports, in history: $27 million per year. (Schumacher promptly moved, naturally, to tax-free Monaco.) Yet, the investment paid off quickly for the prancing horse team, with Schumacher claiming four poles and three wins, including the Italian GP at Monza, giving Ferrari in 1996 its best season in years.

Then came an odd interlude. In 1997, “Schumi” came within one race of taking his third F1 crown, but in a much-debated move shunted into eventual world champion Villeneuve in the final GP while attempting a daring (and later deemed unlawful) overtaking maneuver at Jerez. He kept his season points, but was stripped of his 2nd place in the World Championship by the FIA, and subsequently apologized for a lack of sportsmanship. The next season witnessed a thrilling, come-from-behind battle with Mika Hakkinen that, once again, went down to the last race, where Schumacher uncharacteristically stalled on the grid, after taking pole, and decisively lost the championship when a rear tire exploded in mid-race. In 1999 Schumacher made another unforced error, this time at Silverstone in the British GP, sliding off under full wheel lock into a tire barrier, a shunt that broke his leg and ended the German’s championship hopes for the season. Still, Schumacher ruled the Scuderia Ferrari with an iron will and determination, and in the 2000 season at long last brought Maranello its first World Championship since Jody Schechter in 1979.

That was the start of what rightfully deserves to be called The Schuacher Era. Repeating again in a dominant 2001 season with Ferrai, in which he passed Alain Prost with 53 career GP victories, Shumacher elicited strong emotions, both love and hatred, from Formula One fans. He dominated the new century with a winning streak that literally rewrote the F1 record book — five consecutive World Championships and seven overall, while shattering almost all other career stats. Schumi was masterful at using “hot” in-laps, just before pitting, to overtake a rival tactically. But he never pulled away from confrontation on the track, either. Ecclestone raved, “Michael Schumacher is a racer and it’s a pity we’ve not got more like him. Like guys such as Ayrton Senna and Nigel Mansell, he’s prepared to take a few risks. F1 doesn’t need drivers who pussyfoot around; we want them racing.”

Schumacher had a visible emotional side, as well, crying at the post-race official FIA press conference after breaking the late Arton Senna’s record for most career victories and his signature, exuberant podium jump after winning a GP race.  As this is written, a 41-year old Schumacher, after a three-year retirement, is attempting a comeback with Mercedes — itself in F1 for the first time in more than 50 years. Whether the legends of either have returned for one last title remains to be seen.

The action photo of Schumacher above was taken by the author in September 2006 at the Italian Grand Prix at Monza, which Schumacher won in his last victory for Ferrari in Italy. If you look closely at Schumi’s Ferrari entering the Parabolica corner, you can see why it is called “Victory Lap.” And clicking will reveal my second-favorite, an oldie — Michael in the B195 Benetton at the (Loewe’s) Hairpin from Monaco 1995.

Other Michael Schumacher Sites

Formula1.com Hall of Fame
Wikipedia Article
Biography by Dennis David
GP Encyclopedia
AutoSport—F1′s Greatest Drivers
Official Site

Michael Schumacher Video