The radio crackles into life. The message comes through: "YOU ARE THE WORLD CHAMPION
ONCE AGAIN!" Michael Schumacher had win his seventh driver's world championship, shattering
the previous record of five world championships set by Juan Manuel Fangio.
ONCE AGAIN!" Michael Schumacher had win his seventh driver's world championship, shattering
the previous record of five world championships set by Juan Manuel Fangio.
ORGINS
Michael Schumacher, or "Schumi" as he came to be known, was born to Rolf and Elisabeth
Schumacher, on January 3, 1969, near Cologne, Germany. His father was a bricklayer who ran the
local go karting track. His mother worked in the canteen at the track. His father fit Michael's pedal
kart with a small motorcycle engine, which set him down the path of motorsport. By the age of six,
he had won his first karting championship and had earned himself sponsors to help him keep racing.
This was a blessing, as his parents did not have the money to keep him racing. By 1987, he had won
a few karting championships and he left school to became a car mechanic's apprentice. This phase of
his life did not last long as he was soon employed as a full time racing driver. After winning the
Formula 3 World Championship, he was hired by Mercedes to drive their sports cars.
Schumacher, on January 3, 1969, near Cologne, Germany. His father was a bricklayer who ran the
local go karting track. His mother worked in the canteen at the track. His father fit Michael's pedal
kart with a small motorcycle engine, which set him down the path of motorsport. By the age of six,
he had won his first karting championship and had earned himself sponsors to help him keep racing.
This was a blessing, as his parents did not have the money to keep him racing. By 1987, he had won
a few karting championships and he left school to became a car mechanic's apprentice. This phase of
his life did not last long as he was soon employed as a full time racing driver. After winning the
Formula 3 World Championship, he was hired by Mercedes to drive their sports cars.
RISE IN FORMULA ONE
Halfway through the 1991 season, Michael's time arrived. When Bertrand Gachot was imprisoned
for attacking a London taxi driver, Jordan, a Formula 1 team, hired Michael to race for them. He
drove a Formula 1 car only days before his first race. He not only needed to get to grips with
the car, but with the track at which he would be racing. He rode around the
Spa- Francorchamps track on a bicycle to get to know the racing lines. By qualifying,
he had mastered the circuit. He outqualified his veteran teammate Andrea de Cesaris. On
race day, he made up two positions in the first corner, but had to retire the car before the
end of the first lap due to an issue with the clutch. But that was enough to get him a seat
with Benetton after that first race. He won two Driver's World Championships in 1994 and
1995 with them and Benetton won their only Constructor's World Championship with him.
In 1996, Michael moved to Ferrari, sparking the most successful driver-team pairing of all
time.
for attacking a London taxi driver, Jordan, a Formula 1 team, hired Michael to race for them. He
drove a Formula 1 car only days before his first race. He not only needed to get to grips with
the car, but with the track at which he would be racing. He rode around the
Spa- Francorchamps track on a bicycle to get to know the racing lines. By qualifying,
he had mastered the circuit. He outqualified his veteran teammate Andrea de Cesaris. On
race day, he made up two positions in the first corner, but had to retire the car before the
end of the first lap due to an issue with the clutch. But that was enough to get him a seat
with Benetton after that first race. He won two Driver's World Championships in 1994 and
1995 with them and Benetton won their only Constructor's World Championship with him.
In 1996, Michael moved to Ferrari, sparking the most successful driver-team pairing of all
time.
THE FERRARI YEARS
Michael and Ferrari dominated the sport for the next decade. Michael broke record after record
in the Ferrari cars and brought them their first Driver's World Championship since 1979. In his
first four years with Ferrari, Michael was always at the top of the grid, but it was from 2000 to 2004
that the pair truly shone. Michael took 5 consecutive Driver's World Championships and Ferrari
won their sixth consecutive Constructor's World Championship. He won an incredible 13 of the
18 races in the 2004 season allowed Michael to take his record seventh World Title. Michael raced
with Ferrari until the end of the 2006 season, when he announced his retirement.
in the Ferrari cars and brought them their first Driver's World Championship since 1979. In his
first four years with Ferrari, Michael was always at the top of the grid, but it was from 2000 to 2004
that the pair truly shone. Michael took 5 consecutive Driver's World Championships and Ferrari
won their sixth consecutive Constructor's World Championship. He won an incredible 13 of the
18 races in the 2004 season allowed Michael to take his record seventh World Title. Michael raced
with Ferrari until the end of the 2006 season, when he announced his retirement.
RETIREMENT, PART 1
Michael left Formula One and became a consultant for Ferrari. He stayed in this role for four
years, but the lure of racing was too much for him. He re-entered the world of racing with the newly
branded Mercedes team, headed by Ross Brawn.
years, but the lure of racing was too much for him. He re-entered the world of racing with the newly
branded Mercedes team, headed by Ross Brawn.
RETURN TO FORMULA ONE
Michael raced with Mercedes for three seasons,
from 2010 to 2012. He never matched his former success, but had a positive outlook on the fact.
He said "It wasn't as successful as before but I still learned a lot for life. I found that losing can be
both more difficult and more instructive than winning." At the end of the 2012 Formula One season,
Michael announced his retirement, this time for good.
from 2010 to 2012. He never matched his former success, but had a positive outlook on the fact.
He said "It wasn't as successful as before but I still learned a lot for life. I found that losing can be
both more difficult and more instructive than winning." At the end of the 2012 Formula One season,
Michael announced his retirement, this time for good.
RETIREMENT, PART 2
Michael entered retirement at the beginning of 2013, but sadly was severely injured in a skiing
accident. His family has kept his health in secrecy. In the very few updates, Michael is doing well
and is on the road to recovery.
accident. His family has kept his health in secrecy. In the very few updates, Michael is doing well
and is on the road to recovery.
RECORDS AND OTHER FACTS
Michael won a record seven World Championships. He also set the record for the most number
of Grand Prix wins with 91 and the most laps in the lead with 5111. He racked up a record 155 wins
and clocked 77 Fastest Laps. He has the most 2nd place finishes with 43 and is tied with fellow
German Sebastian Vettel for the most wins in a season with each earning 13. He also has the most
wins at one track, earning 8 victories at Magny- Cours in France. He appeared on the podium a
record 155 times. In his 19 years of racing, he only received one injury: a broken leg at Silverstone.
of Grand Prix wins with 91 and the most laps in the lead with 5111. He racked up a record 155 wins
and clocked 77 Fastest Laps. He has the most 2nd place finishes with 43 and is tied with fellow
German Sebastian Vettel for the most wins in a season with each earning 13. He also has the most
wins at one track, earning 8 victories at Magny- Cours in France. He appeared on the podium a
record 155 times. In his 19 years of racing, he only received one injury: a broken leg at Silverstone.
Thanks to Formula 1 and michael-schumacher.de for helping me in my research.
Thanks to Google for the pictures.
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