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Michael Schumacher
Formula One World Championship career
NationalityGermany German
Active years1991 – 2006
TeamsJordan, Benetton, Ferrari
Entries250
Championships7 (1994, 1995, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004)
Wins91
Podiums154
Pole positions68
Fastest laps76
First entry1991 Belgian Grand Prix
First win1992 Belgian Grand Prix
Last win2006 Chinese Grand Prix
Last entry2006 Brazilian Grand Prix

Michael Schumacher (pronounced /[[:Media:De-Michael-Schumacher.ogg|mɪçaeːl ʃumaxɐ]] (help·info)/, born January 3, 1969, in Hürth Hermülheim, near Cologne[1], Germany), nicknamed "Schumi"[2] and "Schu"[3], is a former Formula One driver, and seven-time world champion. According to the official Formula One web site, he is statistically the greatest driver the sport has ever seen.[4] He is the first German to win the F1 World championship[5] and the world's first billionaire athlete, with an annual salary reported to be around $80 million in 2004.[6] In a 2006 FIA survey Michael Schumacher was voted the most popular driver with F1 fans.[7]

Schumacher currently holds nearly every record in Formula One, including most drivers' championships, race victories, fastest laps, pole positions, and most races won in a single season. Schumacher was the senior driver of Formula One in 2006, and he was for many years the president of the Grand Prix Drivers Association.

On September 10 2006, after winning the Italian Grand Prix, Schumacher announced his retirement as a driver.[8] It was revealed on 29 October 2006 that Schumacher will act as assistant to the newly appointed CEO Jean Todt for the 2007 Formula One Season[9] in particular scouting for new drivers.[10]

Early years

Schumacher is the son of Rolf, a bricklayer who ran the local kart track in Kerpen for a second job. His mother Elizabeth[11] worked in the canteen.[1] He began kart racing at the age of four and a half, using a homemade kart built by his father. It was nothing more than a pedal-kart that had been fitted with a motorcycle engine. He quickly mastered the vehicle, winning his first kart championship at the age of six. Schumacher's prodigious talents were noted by his parents, but they did not have the financial means to support them. Instead, they had to rely upon the generosity and sponsorship of a few affluent people who also saw the potential of their son.[1]

From 1984 Schumacher won numerous German and European kart championships, including the Formula Konig Series. By 1987 he was the German and European kart champion, at which point he withdrew from school and began working as a mechanic. In 1988 Schumacher raced in the Formula Ford series and competed in the German Formula 3 series for the next two years, winning the title in 1990. Towards the end of 1990 he joined the Mercedes junior racing programme in the World Sports-Prototype Championship, gaining a victory at the season finale at the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez in a Sauber-Mercedes C11 and finishing fifth in the drivers championship. He continued with the team into the 1991 season, winning again at the season finale, this time at Autopolis in Japan with a Sauber-Mercedes C291, finishing ninth in the drivers championship. He also briefly competed in the Japanese Formula 3000 Championship and the German Touring Car Championship in the early 1990s.

Formula One career

Schumacher has been noted throughout his career for his ability to produce fast laps at crucial moments in a race, his ability to push his car to the very limit, and for his driving abilities in wet conditions. Wet conditions are often thought of as the great equalizer in Formula One racing, where driver skills trump all else. Some of Schumacher's best performances occurred in such conditions, earning him the title "Regenkönig" (rain king) or "Regenmeister" (rain master).[12] He is also referred to as the Red Baron, both because of his red Ferrari, and also in reference to the German World War One fighter pilot Manfred von Richthofen.

He is credited with popularising Formula One in Germany, where it had little following and was generally considered a fringe sport.[13] The year Schumacher retired from Formula One, three of the top ten drivers were German, more than any other nationality and more than has ever been present in Formula One history. BMW Sauber test driver Sebastian Vettel has said that Schumacher was key in opening doors for young German drivers in Formula One.[14]

Schumacher made his Formula One debut with the Jordan-Ford team at the 1991 Belgian Grand Prix as a replacement driver for the imprisoned Bertrand Gachot. Schumacher was signed by Eddie Jordan after the young German performed impressively at a Silverstone test the week before the race, and his manager Willie Weber assured Jordan that he had vast experience at the challenging Spa circuit, despite the fact that he had only been around the track once on a bicycle.[15] Schumacher impressed the paddock by qualifying seventh in his first competition in an F1 car, matching the team's season-best grid position, and out-qualifying his team mate, Andrea de Cesaris, an 11-year veteran. He retired on the first lap of the race with clutch problems.[16]

Benetton years

1991 − 1993

After his debut, he was signed by Benetton-Ford for the following race. This move angered Jordan who believed Benetton had "stolen" his driver from a binding contract.[citation needed] He finished the 1991 season with 4 points in 6 races.

Schumacher became known as an up-and-coming driver in F1 as he claimed his maiden victory in the 1992 Belgian Grand Prix at the Spa-Francorchamps circuit, which would become his favourite track.[1] He finished third in the Drivers' Championship in 1992 with 53 points, three behind of the runner-up Riccardo Patrese.

Benetton was not fully competitive in 1993, with the more advanced and powerful Williams of Hill and Prost or the advanced "TAG" electronic package found in the McLaren of Senna.[citation needed] In the early part of the season the team lacked the traction control used by other top teams.[citation needed] Schumacher won one race, the Portuguese Grand Prix, retired in 7 of the other 15 races and finished the season in 4th, with 52 points.

1994 − 1995

Schumacher won his first Drivers World Championship in 1994 while driving for Benetton, in a controversial season marred by allegations of cheating and the deaths of Ayrton Senna and Roland Ratzenberger at the San Marino Grand Prix at Imola.

Schumacher started the season strongly, winning six of the first seven races. His Benetton team, among others, was investigated on suspicion of breaking the FIA-imposed ban on electronic aids. On investigation, the FIA discovered illegal software in the Benetton and other teams cars, but no evidence that it had been used in a race. The teams investigated received little to no punishment.[citation needed]

At the British Grand Prix, Schumacher was penalised for overtaking on the formation lap.[17] He then ignored the penalty and the subsequent black flag during the race, for which he was disqualified and later given a two-race ban. Benetton blamed the fiasco 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 skidblock.[18] Benetton protested that the skidblock had been damaged when Schumacher spun over a kerb, but the FIA rejected their appeal. The missed races and disqualifications helped Schumacher's title rival Hill to close the points gap. Leading by a single point going into the final race in Australia, Schumacher clinched his his first World Championship after colliding with Hill in a controversial incident, taking out both drivers.

In 1995, Schumacher stayed with Benetton, which had switched to Renault engines. He successfully defended his title, accumulating 33 more points than second-placed Damon Hill, despite Hill having the superior vehicle.[19] With team-mate Johnny Herbert, he took Benetton to its first Constructors' Championship. He became the youngest double world champion in Formula One history, until Fernando Alonso beat the record in 2006.

During these two championship seasons, the Benetton was not the best car in the field; Nonetheless Schumacher won 17 out of the 31 races and finished on the podium 21 times.[19] Only once did he qualify worse than fourth, at the 1995 Belgian Grand Prix, where he qualified 16th, but went on to win the race.[20] After Schumacher left, Benetton would only win one more race before it was bought by Renault in 2000.

Ferrari years

In 1996, Schumacher signed with Ferrari, at the time considered technologically and organisationally inferior to the front running teams. Ferrari had not won the drivers' championship since 1979. Various Ferraris since then had been labelled "a truck", "a pig", and "an accident waiting to happen" by their drivers.[21] Even the poor performance of the Ferrari pit crews was considered a running joke.[13] Schumacher is often credited along with Ross Brawn, Rory Byrne and Jean Todt with turning this once struggling team into the most successful team in Formula One history.[22]

1996 − 1999

In 1996, his first year at Ferrari, Schumacher finished third in the Drivers' Championship, behind the two Williams drivers, Jacques Villeneuve and Damon Hill. He won three races, more than the team's total tally for the period from 1991 to 1995. The team's reliability troubles continued - Schumacher did not finish in 6 of the 18 races. In the French Grand Prix Schumacher qualified on pole position but suffered an engine failure on the formation lap.[23]

In 1997, Schumacher won five races and fought with Jacques Villeneuve for the title. In the first part of the season, Villeneuve gained advantage. However, Schumacher took the lead by winning the 5th Grand Prix of the season and led the Championship in the mid-part, from the 7th to the 14th Grand Prix, only to lose it in the final races. A win for each driver in Luxembourg (Villeneuve) and Japan (Schumacher), Schumacher entered the last Grand Prix of the season, in Jerez with a one point advantage over Villeneuve. During the race Schumacher and Villeneuve collided after Villeneuve attempted to overtake Schumacher on a right turn. Schumacher ended up in the gravel and Villeneuve scored four points, giving him the championship. Schumacher was disqualified from the drivers' championship and was stripped of all points for the season. [24]

Schumacher battles with Mika Häkkinen at the 1998 British Grand Prix.

In 1998, Schumacher gained another rival, Mika Häkkinen. Häkkinen won the first two races of the season, gaining a 16 point advantage, which he would mantain until the 14th of 16 races, when Schumacher catched him and both were drawn with 80 points. Häkkinen won the last two races of the season and became World Champion. Schumacher won 6 races during the season. During the Belgian Grand Prix, Schumacher stormed into McLaren garage and accused Häkkinen's team mate David Coulthard of trying to kill him after a collision that forced Schumacher to retire.[25]

In 1999, Schumacher's efforts helped Ferrari win the Constructors title. His hopes for the Drivers' Championship were dashed at the British Grand Prix, where he broke his leg. A rear brake failure [26] caused him to exit the track on the first lap of the race while facing the high-speed, right-hand 'Stowe' corner, and he crashed heavily into a tire barrier. This accident prevented Schumacher from competing in the next six races. After his return, he assumed the role of a second driver, yielding to his team mate, Eddie Irvine, in order to help his team win a Drivers' Championship title. Irvine lost the title to Häkkinen in the last race, the Japanese Grand Prix. Schumacher would later say that Häkkinen was the opponent he respected the most. [27]

2000 − 2002

In 2000 Schumacher won his third World Championship, Ferrari's first since Jody Scheckter in 1979, after a hard-fought year-long battle with Mika Häkkinen. Schumacher won the first three races of the season, and five of the first eight. Midway through the year, three consecutive non-finishes, included being hit from behind at the first corner in Austria and Germany, allowed Häkkinen to close the gap in the championship standings. Häkkinen took another two victories before Schumacher won at the Italian Grand Prix. At the post race press conference, Schumacher broke into tears when asked about his feelings on equalling his idol Ayrton Senna's record of 41 race wins.[28] The championship fight went down to the penultimate race in Japan. Starting from pole position, Schumacher lost his lead to Häkkinen early in the race. He came out ahead of Häkkinen after his second pit-stop and went on to win the race and the Championship.

In 2001, Schumacher took his fourth drivers' title. David Coulthard, Schumacher's younger brother Ralf, Mika Häkkinen, and rookie Juan Pablo Montoya all 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 Canadian Grand Prix, where Schumacher finished 2nd to his brother Ralf, thus scoring the first ever 1-2 finish with two brothers and the Belgian Grand Prix where Schumacher scored his 52nd career win, breaking Alain Prost's record for most career wins.

In 2002, a dominant year, Schumacher used the Ferrari F2002 to retain his drivers' championship. In doing so he equalled the record set by Juan Manuel Fangio) of 5 world championships. Ferrari won 15 out of 17 races and Schumacher won the title with six races remaining in the season. Schumacher also broke Nigel Mansell's and his own record of nine race wins in a season, scoring 11 and finishing every race on the podium. He finished with 144 points, 60 head of runner-up team mate Rubens Barrichello. Schumacher and Barrichello finished 9 of the 17 races in the first two places.

2003 − 2004

Schumacher at Indianapolis in 2004

Schumacher broke Juan Manuel Fangio's record for championship wins by winning the drivers' title for the sixth time in 2003, a closely contested season. The biggest competition came once again from the McLaren and BMW Williams. Schumacher was involved in collisions in the first three races[citation needed] and fell 13 points behind Kimi Räikkönen. Schumacher won the San Marino Grand Prix and the next two races to close within two points of Räikkönen. Aside from a victory in Canada, and Barrichello's victory in Britain, the mid-season was dominated by the Williams of 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. Schumacher took two more decisive wins and after Montoya was penalized in the United States, only he 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 with Schumacher pointless. Schumacher took a single point for eighth place and won his sixth World Drivers' title, finishing two points ahead of Räikkönen.

Ferrari celebrate Schumacher's 7th World Championship Title (Michael - 7 times World Champion Drivers)

In 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 the safety car period. He clinched a record seventh drivers' title at the Belgian Grand Prix. He would finish this season with a record 148 points, 34 points ahead of the runner-up, his team mate Rubens Barrichello, and a new record of 13 race wins out of 18 that season, surpassing his previous best of 11 in the 2002 season.

2005 − 2006

In 2005 Schumacher's sole win was at the United States Grand Prix, a race contested by only six cars due to safety concerns about the Michelin tyres used by most teams. Over the season, Ferrari's Bridgestone tyres worked less well than their Michelin counterparts under new rules requiring tyres to last the whole race.[29] According to the Associated Press, the rule changes were intended to end the domination of Ferrari and Schumacher. [29]

Less than half-way through the season, Schumacher stated he didn't have the weapons to defend his title, saying "It's hard to put up a fight when you don't have the same weapons."[citation needed] Despite this, Schumacher had some moments, most notably his fight with Fernando Alonso in the San Marino GP and a pole in Hungary.

Schumacher battling with Kimi Räikkönen during the 2005 Canadian Grand Prix

There were many on-track problems for Schumacher, including collisions with Mark Webber (Turkish GP), Nick Heidfeld (Australian GP), Takuma Sato (Belgian GP) and Christijan Albers (Chinese GP). He would ultimately finish third in the World Championship standings.

At the start of the 2006 season Schumacher achieved a second place at Bahrain, a sixth at Malaysia but did not finish in Australia. Schumacher then won two Grands Prix, at San Marino and the European Grand Prix at Nürburgring. Barring the boycott marred 2005 United States Grand Prix, these were his first wins in 18 months. His pole position at San Marino was his 66th, breaking the previous record of Ayrton Senna. In Spain, Schumacher finished second behind his rival and 2005 world champion Fernando Alonso. Schumacher was involved in a controversy at the 2006 Monaco Grand Prix, during the qualifying sessions (see below). At the two following races, the British Grand Prix and the Canadian Grand Prix, Schumacher finished second, behind Alonso. Three wins would follow, at the US Grand Prix, the French GP and the German GP. After winning the French GP on July 16, he also became the only driver in history to win the same Grand Prix eight times. In Hungary, Schumacher did not finish the race but scored one point due to the later disqualification of Robert Kubica. Schumacher finished third, behind Alonso, at the Turkish Grand Prix. Schmacher won the Italian Grand Prix and the Chinese GP.

File:Schumacher Suzuka2006.jpg
Schumacher before the engine failure during the Japanese Grand Prix that virtually destroyed his ambitions of becoming world champion for the 8th time.

The Japanese Grand Prix saw Schumacher retiring after his first engine failure in 5 years with only 16 laps to go. Alonso, who was behind him, would go on to win the race and almost the Championship, by getting a 10 point advantage before the last race of the season. The only way Schumacher could win the championship was if he won the race and if Alonso didn't manage to score a single point. Schumacher himself conceded the title to Alonso after the race.[30]

In the last race, the Brazilian Grand Prix, Schumacher finished fourth. Before the race he was awarded a trophy by football legend Pelé for his years of dedication to F1. During the qualifying session, he managed to get the best time of all drivers in the first two sessions. However, a fuel pressure problem prevented him from completing a single lap during the third part, forcing him to start tenth. Schumacher managed to push forward early to the 6th Position. However after overtaking Giancarlo Fisichella, teammate of Fernando Alonso, down the main straight on the first corner of lap 9, Schumacher experienced a puncture caused by the front wing of Fisichella's car.[31] Schumacher pitted and consequently fell to the back of the field down in 19th place and 70 seconds off team mate and race leader Felipe Massa. However he managed to regain positions and challenge Fisichella and Räikkönen subsequently overtaking them to secure 4th place and setting the fastest lap on the way.

Retirement

While Schumacher was still on the podium after his win at the 2006 Italian Grand Prix, Ferrari issued a press release stating that he would retire from racing at the end of the 2006 season.[32] Schumacher confirmed his retirement in the post-race press conference. The press release also stated that Schumacher would continue working for Ferrari after his official retirement as a racing driver. It was revealed on 29 October 2006 that Ferrari want Schumacher to act as assistant to the newly appointed CEO Jean Todt.[9] This would involve selecting the team's drivers of the future.[10] After announcing his decision to retire, leading F1 figures such as Niki Lauda and David Coulthard have hailed Schumacher as the greatest all-round racing driver in the history of Formula.[33] Many others have responded to his decision and the impact it will have on Formula One.[34][35]

Helmet

Schumacher arrived in Formula One using a helmet with a white base with a blue top and German flag on each side. A few races into the 2000 season, Schumacher changed his helmet colours to a red base with a red top and German flag. The design and pattern remained the same. This was to avoid confusion between himself and his new team-mate, Rubens Barrichello, who had a similar white and blue helmet. Until 2000, Schumacher always wore Bell until he switched to Schuberth, a company that he co-owned and helped to develop a lightweight carbon helmet, the first of it's kind. In 2004, one example was publicly tested for strength by allowing it to be driven over by a tank which survived intact, also the helmet became so light that the FIA disallowed it from competition as a result, the company had to build a slightly heavier example to fit in with the rules. In his final grand prix, he wore a [36]special helmet, which looked like his usual helmet from afar, but actually names out the ninety-one Grand Prix he has won during his racing career.

Awards

Michael Schumacher won the coveted Laureus World Sportsman of the Year award in 2002 and 2004 for his outstanding performance in the 2001 and 2003 seasons respectively.[37] In its 7-year history, none have been nominated more times than Schumacher, who also received nominations for the 2001, 2003 and 2005 awards.[38]

Controversies and criticism

During his long career Schumacher has been involved in several incidents which caused considerable controversy. Some Formula One reporters and analysts have noted the media's, particularly elements of the British media, attempts to vilify Schumacher and diminish his accomplishments using such controversial incidents.[39]

Championship deciding collisions

Main article: 1994 Australian Grand Prix
File:Schumihill1994.jpg
Schumacher (right) and Hill (left) crash at the Flinders Street corner during 1994 Australian Grand Prix

Going into the 1994 Australian Grand Prix, the final race of the 1994 season, Schumacher led Damon HIll by a single point in the drivers' championship. Schumacher led the race from the beginning, with Hill closely following him. On lap 20, Schumacher ran off the track, hitting a wall with his right side wheels.[40] He returned to the track at reduced speed but still leading the race. At the next corner, Schumacher and Hill collided when Hill attempted a pass on the inside and Schumacher turned into the corner. Schumacher's car was tipped up onto two wheels and eliminated on the spot. Hill pitted immediately and retired from the race with unrepairable damage to the car's front left suspension wishbone. As neither driver scored, Schumacher took the title. Schumacher was blamed for the incident by many Formula One insiders,[41] The race stewards judged it a racing accident and took no action against either driver. The incident can be seen here from various camera angles, as well as comments from the drivers themselves.

File:Schumivilleneuve1997.jpg
Michael Schumacher (red) and Jacques Villeneuve (blue) in the moment of the collision at the Dry Sac corner in the 1997 European Grand Prix at Jerez
Main article: 1997 European Grand Prix

At the 1997 European Grand Prix at Jerez, the last race of the season, Schumacher led Jacques Villeneuve by one point in the drivers' championship. Although Schumacher and Villeneuve had set the same time during qualifying, the Canadian driver started the race in pole position due to having set the time first. By the first corner of the race, Schumacher was ahead of Villeneuve. On lap 48, Villeneuve tried to overtake Schumacher at the Dry Sac Corner. Schumacher turned into Villeneuve, the right-front wheel of Schumacher's Ferrari hitting the left radiator pod of Villeneuve's Williams. Schumacher retired from the race immediately while Villeneuve was able to finish the race in the third place, taking four points and so becoming the World Champion.[40]

Two weeks after the race, Schumacher was stripped of all his points for the season after a FIA disciplinary hearing disqualified him, finding that his "manoeuvre was an instinctive reaction and although deliberate not made with malice or premeditation. It was a serious error."[42] Schumacher accepted the decision[43] and admitted having made a mistake.[44]

Other incidents

Main article: 1998 British Grand Prix

Two laps from the finish of the 1998 British Grand Prix, Michael Schumacher was leading the race when he was issued with a stop-and-go penalty for passing another driver under safety car period. The penalty involved go into the pit lane and stopping for 10 seconds before continuing the race. As it was given with less than 5 laps remaining, Schumacher could choose not serve the penalty and instead be penalised 25 seconds in his overall finish time. Just before finishing the race, Schumacher turned into the pit lane and passed the finish line to end his race. Only after passing the finish lane Schumacher served the stop-and-go penalty.[45]

Main article: 2002 Austrian Grand Prix
File:Austrian GP.jpg
Rubens Barrichello makes way for Schumacher at the end of the 2002 Austrian Grand Prix

During Schumacher's time at Ferrari, the team often employed team orders to benefit one of their drivers over the other. Usually Schumacher benefitted as team leader, although in 1999 he played a supporting role to Eddie Irvine after missing part of the season with a broken leg. Historically, team orders had always been permitted in Formula One. At the 2002 Austrian Grand Prix, Schumacher's teammate, Rubens Barrichello, took pole and led the race from the start. In the final metres of the race, the Brazilian driver, under orders from Ferrari, slowed his car to make way for Schumacher to pass and win the race.[46] This angered fans who were watching the race at the circuit and at the podium ceremony Schumacher pushed Barrichello onto the top step,[46] for which the Ferrari team later incurred in a 1 million US dollars fine for disturbing the podium ceremony.[47] Later in the season, Schumacher let Barrichello past in a similar fashion at the end of the 2002 United States Grand Prix, causing a similar outcry. The FIA, motor sport's worldwide governing body, banned "Team orders which interfere with the race result" at the end of the season.[48][49]

Main article: 2006 Monaco Grand Prix

Although Schumacher took the pole position during the qualifying for the 2006 Monaco Grand Prix, there was controversy near the end of the session as Schumacher stopped his car in the Rascasse corner of the circuit, near the end of it, partially blocking the circuit when his main contender for the season title, Fernando Alonso, was on his qualifying lap. Schumacher stated that he simply locked up the wheels going into the corner and the car then stalled while he attempted to reverse out.[50] Alonso believes he would have been on pole if the incident had not happened.[51] Schumacher was later stripped of pole position by the race stewards and started the race at the back of the grid.[50]

Family and off-track life

File:Schumifootball.jpg
Schumacher playing a football charity match organized by Luís Figo in Porto, Portugal

Schumacher married Corinna Betsch in August 1995. They have two children, Gina-Maria (born in 1997) and Mick (born in 1999). The family, as of 2006, lives in Gland, Switzerland near Lake Geneva. Schumacher has always been very protective of his private life[52] and is known to dislike the celebrity spotlight, preferring a simple life. Schumacher's brother Ralf is also a F1 driver.[53][1]

Schumacher is the world's first billionaire athlete. His annual salary is reported to be around $80 million in 2004.[6] In the 2005 Forbes Celebrity 100, the list of "The World's Most Powerful Celebrities", he was ranked 17th.[54] A big share of his income comes from advertising: Deutsche Vermögensberatung paid him 8 million US dollars over three years from 1999 for wearing a 10 centimeters by 8 advertisement on his post-race cap.[55] The deal was extended until 2010.[56]

Outside Formula One, Schumacher plays football for his local team FC Echichens,[57] and he has appeared in several football charity games[58] as well as organising games between the F1 drivers.[35]

Schumacher donated US$10 million for aid after the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake.[59] His donation surpassed that of any other sportsperson, most sports leagues, many worldwide corporations and even some countries.[60] It was later revealed that a bodyguard who worked for him, Burkhard Cramer, and his two sons had died in the event, while on holiday in Phuket, Thailand. [60] Schumacher is also a special ambassador to UNESCO and has donated 1.5 million Euros to the organization.[61]

Since his participation in a FIA European road safety campaign as part of his punishment after the collision at the 1997 European Grand Prix, Schumacher has continued to support other campaigns, such as Make Roads Safe, led by the FIA Foundation, which is calling on G8 countries and the UN to recognise global road deaths as a major global health issue.

Schumacher delivered a vocal performance as a Rosso Corsa Ferrari F430 in Disney-Pixar's animated feature film Cars.[62] In early March 2006, it was reported that Schumacher will play a small role in the movie Asterix at the Olympic Games.[63]

Complete Formula One results

(key) (Races in bold indicate pole position)

Year Team 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 WDC Points
1991 Jordan*
Benetton 		USA
- 		BRA
- 		SMR
- 		MON
- 		CAN
- 		MEX
- 		FRA
- 		GBR
- 		GER
- 		HUN
- 		BEL
RET 		ITA
5 		POR
6 		ESP
6 		JPN
RET 		AUS
RET 		14th 4
1992 Benetton RSA
4 		MEX
3 		BRA
3 		ESP
2 		SMR
RET 		MON
4 		CAN
2 		FRA
RET 		GBR
4 		GER
3 		HUN
RET 		BEL
1 		ITA
3 		POR
7 		JPN
RET 		AUS
2 		3rd 53
1993 Benetton RSA
RET 		BRA
3 		EUR
RET 		SMR
2 		ESP
3 		MON
RET 		CAN
2 		FRA
3 		GBR
2 		GER
2 		HUN
RET 		BEL
2 		ITA
RET 		POR
1 		JPN
RET 		AUS
RET 		4th 52
1994 Benetton BRA
1 		PFC
1 		SMR
1 		MON
1 		ESP
2 		CAN
1 		FRA
1 		GBR
DSQ 		GER
RET 		HUN
1 		BEL
DSQ 		ITA
EX 		POR
EX 		EUR
1 		JPN
2 		AUS
RET 		1st 92
1995 Benetton BRA
1 		ARG
3 		SMR
RET 		ESP
1 		MON
1 		CAN
5 		FRA
1 		GBR
RET 		GER
1 		HUN
RET 		BEL
1 		ITA
RET 		POR
2 		EUR
1 		PFC
1 		JPN
1 		AUS
RET 		1st 102
1996 Ferrari AUS
RET 		BRA
3 		ARG
RET 		EUR
2 		SMR
2 		MON
RET 		ESP
1 		CAN
RET 		FRA
DNS 		GBR
RET 		GER
4 		HUN
9 		BEL
1 		ITA
1 		POR
3 		JPN
2 		3rd 59
1997 Ferrari AUS
2 		BRA
5 		ARG
RET 		SMR
2 		MON
1 		ESP
4 		CAN
1 		FRA
1 		GBR
RET 		GER
2 		HUN
4 		BEL
1 		ITA
6 		AUT
6 		LUX
RET 		JPN
1 		EUR
RET 		DSQ** 78
1998 Ferrari AUS
RET 		BRA
3 		ARG
1 		SMR
2 		ESP
3 		MON
10 		CAN
1 		FRA
1 		GBR
1 		AUT
3 		GER
5 		HUN
1 		BEL
RET 		ITA
1 		LUX
2 		JPN
RET 		2nd 86
1999 Ferrari AUS
8 		BRA
2 		SMR
1 		MON
1 		ESP
3 		CAN
RET 		FRA
5 		GBR
DNS 		AUT
INJ 		GER
INJ 		HUN
INJ 		BEL
INJ 		ITA
INJ 		EUR
INJ 		MYS
2 		JPN
2 		5th 44
2000 Ferrari AUS
1 		BRA
1 		SMR
1 		GBR
3 		ESP
5 		EUR
1 		MON
RET 		CAN
1 		FRA
RET 		AUT
RET 		GER
RET 		HUN
2 		BEL
2 		ITA
1 		USA
1 		JPN
1 		MYS
1 		1st 108
2001 Ferrari AUS
1 		MYS
1 		BRA
2 		SMR
RET 		ESP
1 		AUT
2 		MON
1 		CAN
2 		EUR
1 		FRA
1 		GBR
2 		GER
RET 		HUN
1 		BEL
1 		ITA
4 		USA
2 		JPN
1 		1st 123
2002 Ferrari AUS
1 		MYS
3 		BRA
1 		SMR
1 		ESP
1 		AUT
1 		MON
2 		CAN
1 		EUR
2 		GBR
1 		FRA
1 		GER
1 		HUN
2 		BEL
1 		ITA
2 		USA
2 		JPN
1 		1st 144
2003 Ferrari AUS
4 		MYS
6 		BRA
RET 		SMR
1 		ESP
1 		AUT
1 		MON
3 		CAN
1 		EUR
5 		FRA
3 		GBR
4 		GER
7 		HUN
8 		ITA
1 		USA
1 		JPN
8 		1st 93
2004 Ferrari AUS
1 		MYS
1 		BAH
1 		SMR
1 		ESP
1 		MON
Ret 		EUR
1 		CAN
1 		USA
1 		FRA
1 		GBR
1 		GER
1 		HUN
1 		BEL
2 		ITA
2 		CHN
12 		JPN
1 		BRA
7 		1st 148
2005 Ferrari AUS
RET 		MYS
7 		BAH
RET 		SMR
2 		ESP
RET 		MON
7 		EUR
5 		CAN
2 		USA
1 		FRA
3 		GBR
6 		GER
5 		HUN
2 		TUR
RET 		ITA
10 		BEL
RET 		BRA
4 		JPN
7 		CHN
RET 		3rd 62
2006 Ferrari BAH
2 		MYS
6 		AUS
RET 		SMR
1 		EUR
1 		ESP
2 		MON
5 		GBR
2 		CAN
2 		USA
1 		FRA
1 		GER
1 		HUN
8 		TUR
3 		ITA
1 		CHN
1 		JPN
RET 		BRA
4 		2nd 121

* Schumacher only raced for Jordan in the 1991 Belgian Grand Prix
** Schumacher was disqualified from the 1997 WDC due to dangerous driving in the European Grand Prix, where he caused an avoidable accident with Villeneuve. [24]

Formula One records

Schumacher celebrates his win at the 2004 United States Grand Prix

As of the end of the 2006 Formula One Season, Michael Schumacher holds the following F1 records:

Career Records:

2004:

  • Most race wins in a season: 13 (out of 18 races)
  • Most fastest laps in a season: 10 (out of 18 races; tied by Räikkönen in 2005)
  • Most championship points in a season: 148 (out of a maximum of 180)

2002:

  • Most podium finishes in a season: 17 (out of 17 races)

The one major record Schumacher missed out on was the record for most Grands Prix competed in. His final race was his 250th so he finished 6 short of Riccardo Patrese's record of 256. Other records he did not break were the one for most pole positions in a season, as held by Nigel Mansell (14), and for most consecutive pole positions, held by Ayrton Senna (8).

However, the record for the highest winning strike rate, is held by Juan Manuel Fangio, with 24 wins from 51 starts (47.1%) to Schumacher's 36.4%.

He was the youngest double World Champion when he won the championship in 1995 aged 26 years, 9 months and 19 days, but this record was beaten by Fernando Alonso in 2006, when he won his 2nd championship aged 25 years, 3 months and 24 days.

With the exception of his debut year, 1991 where he only participated in 6 races, Schumacher never had a winless year in Formula One.

References and notes

  1. ^ a b c d e "Hall of Fame - World Champions: Michael Schumacher". www.formula1.com. 2006. Retrieved 2006-10-05.
  2. ^ "Alonso ahead of Schumi". www.news24.com. 2006-10-21. Retrieved 2006-10-22.
  3. ^ "Schu brought down to earth". www.itv-f1.com. 2006-10-11. Retrieved 2006-10-14.
  4. ^ "Michael Schumacher - the end of an era". www.formula1.com. 2006-09-10. Retrieved 2006-10-24.
  5. ^ Jochen Rindt, who was born in Germany, also won the Formula 1 World Championship, but he raced under Austrian flag.
  6. ^ a b Reid, Angus (2006-07-11). "Sports: How Big Is Too Big?". Mediacheck. thetyee.ca. Retrieved 2006-10-24.
  7. ^ "Schumacher tops F1 supporter poll". BBC Sport. 2006-09-27. Retrieved 2006-10-25.
  8. ^ "It's official: Schumi to retire". www.itv-f1.com. 2006-09-11. Retrieved 2006-10-24. {{cite news}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |1= (help)
  9. ^ a b "New role for Schumacher at Ferrari?". pitpass.com. 2006-10-29. Retrieved 2006-10-29.
  10. ^ a b "Schumacher to scout drivers for Ferrari". f1racing.net. 2006-10-29. Retrieved 2006-11-01.
  11. ^ "Michael Schumacher Says Goodbye To F1". BlogCritics.org - Sports. 2006-09-10. Retrieved 2006-10-30.
  12. ^ "Schumacher races to victory". BBC Sport. 2001-03-18. Retrieved 2006-10-24.
  13. ^ a b Sapa (2006-09-11). "The greatest driver of all time". SuperWheels. Retrieved 2006-10-24.
  14. ^ "Vettel sorry to see 'idol' Schumacher go". Autosport. 2006-09-26. Retrieved 2006-10-31.
  15. ^ "Schumacher great but controversial". www.cnn.com. 2006-09-10. Retrieved 2006-10-23.
  16. ^ "1991 Belgian Grand Prix". Results Archive. www.formula1.com. 2006. Retrieved 2006-10-24.
  17. ^ "1994 British Grand Prix". Results Archive. www.formula1.com. 2006. Retrieved 2006-10-24.
  18. ^ "Grand Prix Results: Belgian GP, 1994". Grand Prix Encyclopedia. www.grandprix.com. 1998–2006. Retrieved 2006-05-13.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: date format (link)
  19. ^ a b "Damon Hill (GBR) World Champion - 1996". Hall of Fame - World Champions. www.formula1.com. 2006. Retrieved 2006-10-24.
  20. ^ "1995 Belgian Grand Prix". Results Archive. www.formula1.com. 2006. Retrieved 2006-10-24.
  21. ^ "Switch the key to Ferrari revival". www.telegraph.co.uk. 2006-10-20. Retrieved 2006-10-29.
  22. ^ "Schumacher confirms retirement". MSN Cars. 2006-09-11. Retrieved 2006-09-28.
  23. ^ "Round 9: Renault Take Top Four Places At Home Grand Prix". AutoSport. Retrieved 2006-11-02.
  24. ^ a b "FIA Formula One World Championship Entry List". FIA. 2004. Retrieved 2006-10-25.
  25. ^ "Crash was my fault, Coulthard admits". Reuters. 2003-06-07. Retrieved 2006-09-28.
  26. ^ "Schumacher out of action". www.grandprix.com. 1999-07-12. Retrieved 2006-10-25.
  27. ^ "Hall of Fame - World Champions: Mika Hakkinen". www.formula1.com. 2006. Retrieved 2006-10-05.
  28. ^ "The Italian GP Review". AutoSport. Retrieved 2006-11-02.
  29. ^ a b Dampf, Andrew (2006-09). "Schumacher Wins Italy GP, Vows to Retire". The Associated Press. Retrieved 2006-10-25. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  30. ^ "Schumacher concedes title to Alonso". www.formula1.com. 2006-10-08. Retrieved 2006-10-23.
  31. ^ "Fisi did cause Schu puncture". www.itv-f1.com. 2006-10-23. Retrieved 2006-10-23.
  32. ^ "Michael Schumacher will retire from race driving at the end of the 2006 World Championship" (PDF) (Press release). Ferrari S.p.A. 2006-09-10. Retrieved 2006-10-24.
  33. ^ ""Tributes to Schumi"". BBC News. 2006-10-22. Retrieved 2006-10-24.
  34. ^ Evans, Simon (2006-09-11). "Italy shows gratitude to Schumacher". www.autosport.com. Retrieved 2006-09-12.
  35. ^ a b "Thoughts on Schumacher". BBC Sport. 2006-19-10. Retrieved 2006-10-25. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  36. ^ http://www.pitpass.com/fes_php/pitpass_news_item.php
  37. ^ "Laureus Award Winners: Past Winners". Laureus World Sport Awards Limited. 2006. Retrieved 2006-10-25.
  38. ^ "Laureus Award Nominees". Laureus World Sport Awards Limited. 2006. Retrieved 2006-03-12.
  39. ^ Schumacher bashing - a habit of sorts sify.com Retrieved 28 October 2006
  40. ^ a b "Schumacher 500: Has the King Lost His Crown?". autosport.com. Retrieved 2006-10-24.
  41. ^ Henry, Alan. Wheel to Wheel: Great Duels of Formula One Racing. Weidenfeld Nicolson Illustrated. p. 117. ISBN 0753805227. {{cite book}}: |access-date= requires |url= (help)
  42. ^ "FIA WORLD MOTOR SPORT COUNCIL - 11 NOVEMBER 1997" (PDF). www.fia.com. 1997-11-11. Retrieved 2006-10-29.
  43. ^ "Schumacher loses championship runner-up crown". news.bbc.co.uk. 1997-11-11. Retrieved 2006-10-24.
  44. ^ "The lost honor of Michael Schumacher". www.grandprix.com. 1997-11-03. Retrieved 2006-10-24.
  45. ^ "British Grand Prix Review". autosport.com. Retrieved 2006-10-24.
  46. ^ a b "Schumacher steals Austrian win". news.bbc.co.uk. 2002-05-12. Retrieved 2006-10-24.
  47. ^ "Record fine for Turks". www.eurosport.co.uk. Retrieved 2006-10-24.
  48. ^ "Formula One closes door on team orders". USA Today. 2002-10-28. Retrieved 2006-10-28.
  49. ^ "F1 Commission declaration". FIA. 2002-10-28. Retrieved 2006-10-30.
  50. ^ a b "Schumacher is stripped of pole". www.formula1.com. 2006-05-27. Retrieved 2006-10-24.
  51. ^ "Post-qualifying press conference - Monaco". www.formula1.com. 2006-05-27. Retrieved 2006-10-24.
  52. ^ "Who is the real Schumacher?". BBC News. 2006-10-22. Retrieved 2006-10-22.
  53. ^ "Michael Schumacher Biography". www.mschumacher.com. Retrieved 2006-10-25.
  54. ^ "The Celebrity 100". www.forbes.com. 2005. Retrieved 2006-10-25.
  55. ^ "MOT: Schumacher slaps $11.9m price on his head". AAP Sports news. 1999-11-11. Retrieved 2006-10-24.
  56. ^ "Schumacher's sponsor extends contract". F1Racing.net. 2005-08-31. Retrieved 2006-10-24.
  57. ^ "Schumi urged to lace up his boots". www.wheels24.co.za. 2006-10-25. Retrieved 2006-11-01.
  58. ^ "FIFA Fair Play: Playing for a better world". www.FIFA.com. 2004-12-16. Retrieved 2006-10-25.
  59. ^ "Schumacher donates $10m relief aid". CNN. 2005-01-04. Retrieved 2006-10-24.
  60. ^ a b McAllister, Mike (2005-11-11). "My Sportsman: Michael Schumacher". 2005 Sportsman of the Year. SI.com. Retrieved 2006-10-25.
  61. ^ "Michael Schumacher, a UNESCO champion". UNESCO. 2002. Retrieved 2006-10-25.
  62. ^ "CARS Movie Premiere: Tonight - SOLD OUT!". www.lowesmotorspeedway.com. Lowe's Motor Speedway. 2006-05-26. Retrieved 2006-10-25.
  63. ^ "Sport stars for Asterix film". The Sydney Morning Herald. FairfaxDigital. 2006-03-08. Retrieved 2006-10-25.
  64. ^ "Michael Schumacher". The Formula One Database. www.f1db.com. 2006. Retrieved 2006-10-25.

External links

Wikiquote has quotations related to Michael Schumacher.
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Michael Schumacher.
Sporting positions
Preceded by Formula One World Champion
1994-1995 		Succeeded by
Preceded by Formula One World Champion
2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004 		Succeeded by
Preceded by Laureus World Sportsman of the Year
2002 		Succeeded by
Preceded by Laureus World Sportsman of the Year
2004 		Succeeded by

Template:Formula One World Drivers' Champions 1990-2009


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