Michael Schumacher’s 10 Best Moments In Formula 1
Seven-time F1 world champion Michael Schumacher continues to recover from the severe head injury he suffered in a terrible skiing accident just over two years ago. Our thoughts continue to be with him. On his 47th birthday, here are his best F1 moments:
1. Title number seven
Ferrari’s dominance of the early 2000s saw Schumacher claim title after title. At the 2004 Belgian Grand Prix the German extended his incredible record of world championships, with second place at Spa-Francorchamps gifting Schumacher his seventh title – a record that will surely remain for some time.
For the 1996 season, Schumacher chose to leave Benetton and switch to Ferrari. The car was a bit of a handful but his skill in wet, terrible conditions at the Spanish Grand Prix saw him claim a very special win – his first with the Prancing Horse. It was a stunning performance and he finished 45 seconds clear of his nearest rival.
After some near misses, Ferrari went into the 2000 season still chasing its first drivers’ title since Jody Scheckter in 1979. Schumacher broke the team’s disappointing run, winning the Japanese Grand Prix in style to claim his third world championship.
4. Maiden victory
One year after making his impressive debut for Jordan at Spa-Francorchamps, Schumacher was racing for Benetton at the 1992 Belgian Grand Prix.
He started third, dropped to fourth at the start but a perfectly timed switch to slick tyres helped him move up the order and snatch away the lead. Nigel Mansell fought back but a broken exhaust cut short his challenge. Schumacher went on to win by 36 seconds.
5. Record-breaking time
Ferrari’s dominant spell was at its peak in 2002, when Schumacher picked up title number five after just 11 rounds – meaning there were six races still to go! He claimed the championship at the French Grand Prix with, naturally, a race victory.
6. Win number 91
The Chinese Grand Prix in 2006 was Schumacher’s 91st and final F1 victory. Heavy rain before the start gave Bridgestone runners the advantage. Schumacher started sixth but steadily rose up the order with some great overtakes.
At one point there was a three-way fight for the lead between the Renault duo and Schumacher, but he passed them both and held off Fernando Alonso to win.
The F1 legend’s battle with Mika Hakkinen during the late 90s and early 2000s is undoubtedly regarded as one of the best in the sport’s history. This was no more evident than at the 1998 Italian Grand Prix, where the two enjoyed a brilliant fight for the lead, with Schumacher passing him in style to claim his second home win for Ferrari – the crowds certainly went wild afterwards!
Schumacher’s 1994 Benetton machine was stuck in fifth gear for around 40 laps during the Spanish Grand Prix, but despite the problems, he managed to bring the car home in a very impressive second place – that certainly takes skill!
Schumacher was known to be pretty emotionless in press conferences and interviews, but he struggled to fight back the tears at the 2000 Italian Grand Prix after matching Ayrton Senna’s tally of 41 race wins.
Schumacher’s return to F1 with Mercedes between 2010 and 2012 didn’t go to plan, but one highlight was his stunning lap of the Circuit de Monaco in his final outing at the track. It was good enough for pole position, proving he still had what it takes, but sadly he started sixth due to a penalty from the previous race.
Comments
i wish F1 went back to the 2000 season, every car sounds so evil and like its screaming get out of my way or i will kill you
I think schumi’s return was the best period in his career…He proved that winning means a lot but racing and compiting means everything.Im glad he returned and gave us moments as the 2011 canadian gp,2011 belgian gp or the pole at monaco and the podium at valencia…. #KeepFightingMichael
Best driver ever!! :)
Win this one!!
I started watching F1 because Hakkinen and Schumacher.. I did not watch F1 prior to 2000 but 2000-2002 was the best. Great racing. Great Sportsmanship.
These guys are gentlemen of the sport. None like them since.
Hard to believe some one who used to race F1 cars could have a life changing accident doing something as simple as skiing (in relative terms)
For me he is the greatest F1 driver of all time. I’ve almost cried every time Vettel won last year and the German and Italian anthems have played together again, I can see Schumi ‘directing’ the orchestra!