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The week before the race, Schumacher impressed Jordan designer [[Gary Anderson (motorsport)|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.<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>
In his debut, Schumacher impressed the paddock by [[Qualifying (Formula One)|qualifying]] 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 [[Jordan 191]], 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. ''[[Motor Sport (magazine)|Motor Sport]]'' journalist [[Joe Saward]] reported that, after qualifying, "clumps of German journalists were talking about 'the best talent since [[Stefan Bellof]]{{' "}}.<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 [[clutch]] 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>
===Benetton (1991–1995)===
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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; [[Peter Sauber]] stated that "[Schumacher] 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 [[Williams FW14B]] of [[Nigel Mansell]] and [[Riccardo Patrese]], featuring powerful [[Renault in Formula One|Renault]] engines, [[semi-automatic gearboxes]], and [[active suspension]] 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 [[Benetton B192]], Schumacher took his place on the [[podium]] 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 [[Formula One car]] to win a Grand Prix while sporting a H-pattern [[manual gearbox]].<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>
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.<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 [[Ayrton Senna]].<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 [[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".<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>
The [[Williams FW15C]] of [[Damon Hill]] and [[Alain Prost]] dominated the {{F1|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.<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 [[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,<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>
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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 {{F1 GP|1994|San Marino}}; 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.<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=[[Parragon]]|year=2006|isbn=978-0-7525-9228-2|pages=44–47|orig-year=2002}}</ref> Following the San Marino Grand Prix, the Benetton, [[Scuderia Ferrari|Ferrari]], and [[McLaren]] teams were investigated on suspicion of breaking the [[Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile|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]].<!--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>
At the {{F1 GP|1994|British}}, Schumacher was penalised for overtaking Hill on the [[formation lap]]. He and Benetton then ignored the penalty and the subsequent [[Black flag (racing flags)|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.<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 [[skid block]], a measure used after the accidents at Imola to limit [[downforce]] 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—[[Jochen Rindt]] (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>
[[File:Michael Schumacher 1995 Britain 2.jpg|thumb|Schumacher driving for Benetton in 1995 at the {{F1 GP|1995|British}}. That year, he won his second World Championship.]]
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===Ferrari (1996–2006)===
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 [[Rory Byrne]] (designer) and [[Ross Brawn]] (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 [[V12 engine]] was no longer competitive against the smaller, lighter, and more fuel-efficient [[V10]]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 [[Ferrari F310]] 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 [[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".<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 [Ferrari] 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"/>
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.<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 [[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.<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 [Jean] Alesi and [Gerhard] 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>
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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 [[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."<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 [[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: "[Schumacher] 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>
==Driver profile and legacy==
=== Profile ===
{{quote box|quote="No one will ever be greater than Schumi. Michael has shaped a generation like no other, he is iconic."|source=[[Toto Wolff]] 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}}
[[File:Michael Schumacher 01 (sk).jpg|thumb|Schumacher in 2007, the year after he first retired. By this time, he had achieved most of Formula One's records.]]
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''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 [[Manfred von Richthofen]], the famous [[flying ace]] 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>
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
Schumacher has 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">{{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> In a 2006 [[FIA]] survey, he 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|publisher=BBC Sport|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/motorsport/formula_one/5384692.stm|access-date=25 October 2006|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}}</ref> Throughout his career, Schumacher was subject to [[anti-German prejudices]], especially from the [[British media]].<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|access-date=17 July 2023|website=The Guardian|archive-date=17 July 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230717111417/https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2003/mar/02/features.sportmonthly2|url-status=live}}</ref><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">{{Cite news|last=Benson|first=Andrew|date=28 May 2006|title=Schumacher's chequered history|publisher=BBC Sport|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/low/motorsport/formula_one/5024532.stm|access-date=15 June 2007|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}}</ref> 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 him as 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/|access-date=10 February 2024|website=The Duo Chronicles|archive-date=21 May 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230521115935/https://www.theduochronicles.com/the-legend-of-michael-schumacher-a-story-of-triumph-challenges-and-legacy/|url-status=live}}</ref>▼
▲
===
[[File:Michael Schumacher Kanada 2010.jpg|thumb|Schumacher in 2010, the year he made his comeback at 40. Although he did not win any race or had any pole positions, he set the fastest qualifying lap once, achieved his final podium, and became the second driver at the time to have started 300 Grands Prix.]]▼
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 [[Grand Prix Drivers' Association]],<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 their 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, 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
== 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.<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 [[German flag]] and his sponsor's decals. On the top was a blue circle with white [[astroid]]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 [[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.<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=[[Autosport]]|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>
Line 207 ⟶ 219:
File:Schumacher 2011 helmet.jpg|Schuberth helmet for the {{F1|2011}} season ([[Mercedes-Benz in Formula One|Mercedes GP]]); Schumacher kept using a red-coloured helmet at [[Silver Arrows]]. [[Chinese dragon]] illustration and a [[Chinese character]] ([[Radical 19|力]], which stands for "power") are inscribed on the back of the helmet.
</gallery>
▲[[File:Michael Schumacher Kanada 2010.jpg|thumb|Schumacher in 2010, the year he made his comeback at 40. Although he did not win any race or had any pole positions, he set the fastest qualifying lap once, achieved his final podium, and became the second driver at the time to have started 300 Grands Prix.]]
▲Schumacher's career spanned three decades, or twenty-three years, 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. 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"/><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 his era and the greatest of all time.<ref name="Gibson 2016"/> Schumacher was the sport's most dominant force in the 2000s,<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> being described as statistically the most successful driver in Formula One history and the most complete Formula One driver ever.<ref name="Autosport 2009"/> 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), by multiple-time World Champions like Vettel,<ref>{{Cite web|last=Collantine|first=Keith|date=26 October 2022|title=How Verstappen, Schumacher and Vettel's record 13 wins in a season compare|url=https://www.racefans.net/2022/10/26/how-verstappen-schumacher-and-vettels-record-13-wins-in-a-season-compare/|access-date=9 February 2024|website=RaceFans}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Smith|first=Luke|date=3 November 2022|title=How does Verstappen's win record compare to Schumacher and Vettel's seasons?|url=https://www.motorsport.com/f1/news/how-does-verstappens-win-record-compare-to-schumacher-and-vettels-seasons/10394469/|access-date=9 February 2024|website=Motorsport.com}}</ref> Lewis Hamilton,<ref>{{Cite web|last=Collantine|first=Keith|date=2 September 2017|title=When will Schumacher's other records be broken?|url=https://www.racefans.net/2017/09/02/when-will-schumachers-other-records-be-broken/|access-date=9 February 2024|website=RaceFans}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Collantine|first=Keith|date=15 November 2020|title=F1's two seven-times champions: Hamilton and Schumacher's title wins compared|url=https://www.racefans.net/2020/11/15/f1s-two-seven-times-champions-hamilton-and-schumachers-title-wins-compared/|access-date=9 February 2024|website=RaceFans}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Longman|first=Will|date=20 November 2023|title=Formula 1 records: Most wins, pole positions and world championships|url=https://motorsporttickets.com/blog/formula-1-records-most-wins-pole-positions-and-world-championships/|access-date=8 February 2024|website=Motorsport Tickets Blog}}</ref> and [[Max Verstappen]],<ref>{{Cite web|last=Hardyy|first=Ed|date=26 November 2023|title=F1 records broken by Max Verstappen in 2023|url=https://www.autosport.com/f1/news/f1-records-broken-by-max-verstappen-in-2023/10543882/|access-date=8 February 2024|website=Autosport}}</ref> 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>
▲As of 2006, Schumacher was 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"/> In 2004, Schumacher tied Nigel Mansell 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 Circuit|Imola]]).<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 holds 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).<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"/> Objective [[mathematical model]]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=1983/dd66908d-255b-47ec-94f1-e5e7acfeca49|hdl-access=free}}</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), ''[[FiveThirtyEight]]'' (2018, 2nd), and updated F1metrics (2019, 1st), put Schumacher consistenly among the top 10 and 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/|access-date=14 February 2024|website=F1metrics|archive-date=14 February 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240214162224/https://f1metrics.wordpress.com/2014/07/18/who-was-the-greatest-f1-driver/|url-status=dead}}</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/|access-date=10 February 2024|website=F1metrics|archive-date=9 February 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240209235350/https://f1metrics.wordpress.com/2019/11/22/the-f1metrics-top-100/|url-status=dead}}</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 than his 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 legends 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 in 1994, 2006, and 2012.<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>
▲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 debuting not-fully 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 finale 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>
==Honours==
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In [[Sarajevo]], Schumacher was granted [[honorary citizenship]],<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 [[Sarajevo Canton]] 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 [[mural]] was painted in a city neighborhood of [[Dobrinja]] 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 [[Maranello]], [[Modena]], and [[Spa, Belgium|Spa]].<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 [[Chevalier de la Légion d'honneur]],<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 [[Commander of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic]],<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 [[San Marino]].<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 [[Swiss Football Association]] appointed Schumacher as the country's ambassador for [[UEFA Euro 2008]], 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 [[Nürburgring circuit]] 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 [[Bahrain International Circuit]] 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 [[North Rhine-Westphalia]] 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>
==Personal life
In August 1995, Schumacher married [[Corinna Betsch]].<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 20 February 1997) and a son, [[Mick Schumacher|Mick]] (born 22 March 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 [[Gland, Switzerland]], in 2007, covering an area of {{convert|650|m2|adj=on}} with a private beach on [[Lake Geneva]] and featuring an underground garage and petrol station, with a vintage [[Royal Dutch Shell|Shell]] 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 [[Texas]] 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 [[Ralf Schumacher|Ralf]], his son Mick, his nephew [[David Schumacher (racing driver)|David]] 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 [[Haas F1 Team]] 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>
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In 2006, Schumacher had a voice role in the [[Walt Disney Pictures|Disney]]/[[Pixar Animation Studios|Pixar]] film ''[[Cars (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 (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 (2002 TV series)|Top Gear]]'' as [[the Stig]].<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 [[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.<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, [[Netflix]] announced the first officially approved documentary film about Schumacher—called ''[[Schumacher (film)|Schumacher]]''—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>
=== Philanthropy ===
Schumacher was a special ambassador to [[UNESCO]] 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 [[Dakar]], Senegal. He supported a hospital for child victims of the [[Siege of Sarajevo|siege in Sarajevo]], 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 [[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."<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 [[2002 European floods]], 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 [[2013 European floods]].<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 [[2004 Indian Ocean earthquake]],<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 [[Clinton Foundation]].<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>
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