Hamilton and Schumi in comparison
M ichael Schumacher was practically born with a career as a professional racing driver. The young talent was able to practice as long as he liked on the kart track in Kerpen leased from his father Rolf. Little Michael had his first contact with motorized companions at the age of four, when he received a Kettcar with a 5 hp moped engine from his father.
The first victories in the local karting club did not last long waiting. Schumacher's diligence and meticulousness in preparation was evident from an early age. Thanks to the successes, the young talent could look forward to sponsors early on, who did not have financial resources, but at least provided them with competitive material. Michael Schumacher was able to record his first national and international victories in karting since the beginning of the 80s, i.e. his teenage years.
Kart king Schumacher proves himself in the monoposto
The inevitable rise in the Formula classes followed in 1987. Thanks to the help of his new manager Willi Weber, Formula 3 finally went through Formula König and Formula Ford. Weber was quickly convinced of the youngster's talent and invested in his career. With the runner-up title in Formula 3 (1989), Schumacher quickly repaid his trust.
This was followed by a phase in which Schumacher was to be found in various cars. In 1990, the Kerpener drove the over 900 hp Le Mans sports car from Peter Sauber in the Mercedes Junior Team. At the same time, the teenager also won the Formula 3 title in his second season. In 1991 Michael Schumacher was also active in four races in the DTM and made a guest appearance in the Japanese Formula 3000.
Michael Schumacher's Formula 1 -Debut in Spa
After a first Formula 1 test in Silverstone, in August 1991 the chance finally arose to enter the premier class. With financial means, Eddie Jordan was persuaded to put Schumacher in the cockpit as a replacement for the regular driver Bertrand Gachot. With a sensational seventh place in qualifying, Schumacher amazed the experts. Even if he had to give up after 500 meters due to clutch problems on his GP debut, the talent scouts were alarmed.
One race later in Monza, Benetton secured the services of the 22-year-old talent of the century, who had a fifth Place and the first World Cup points did not disappoint. After further points in Portugal and Spain, it was even enough to rank 14 in the drivers' championship. In 1992 the big breakthrough followed. Already stood in the second Grand Prix in MexicoMichael Schumacher on the podium for the first time, later in the season - again in Belgium - Schumacher was able to score his first victory thanks to good tactics and put the whole of Germany into Formula 1 fever. Another victory followed in Portugal the following year.
Schumi's successful title fights against Damon Hill
After a third and fourth place in the drivers' standings, the big coup followed in 1994. Schumacher won six of the first seven races and was clearly at the top of the championship. Only a disqualification in Spa and a suspension of two races made the world championship fight exciting again at the end. At the season finale in Australia, Michael Schumacher collided with competitor Damon Hill. Both pilots were eliminated and Schumacher became world champion for the first time. Looking back on the season, however, the negative aspects predominated. At the third run in Imola, Schumacher's idol Ayrton Senna was killed in an accident.
In 1995 the duel against Damon Hill went into the second round - again with the better end for the German. With important victories in Hockenheim, at the Nürburgring and again in Spa, Schumacher secured his second title.
Michael Schumacher changes to Ferrari
In 1996 he switched to the Italian racing team Ferrari which, however, still had to struggle with problems from previous years. The F-310 was neither fast nor reliable enough that Schumacher had to be content with third place at the end of the year. After all, the German led his new team in Spain, at the home game in Monza and of course in Belgium to victories again after a long time.
In the following year Michael Schumacher was significantly more competitive. At first everything looked like the Canadian Jacques Villeneuve would march through, but after the Ferrari double victory in the penultimate race in Japan, Schumacher was suddenly in the lead. During the race, the German suddenly slowed down and tried to force his Canadian rival into a collision while attempting to overtake. However, only the Ferrari dropped out and Villeneuve became world champion. To make matters worse, Schumacher was deprived of all points of the season for unfair driving.
In the 1998 season, the opponent was then Mika Häkkinen in the McLaren-Mercedes. Schumacher was able to keep the World Championship race open until the final in Suzuka, but had to give preference to his Finnish competitor because of a flat tire. 1999 was also disappointing. After a good start, Schumacher broke his lower leg at Silverstone when he hit the tire wall at over 100 km /h after a braking problem. The Ferrari star missed six races and was fifth in the final.
Five titles for Schumacher with Ferrari
However, the injury did not bother Schumacher. In the close fight against Mika Häkkinen the sat downFerrari driver at the end of the 2000 season and won his third drivers title. In his prestigious 41st GP victory at the home game in Monza, Michael Schumacher set the record of his idol Ayrton Senna and shed tears in the press conference that followed.
The great series of successes began with Ferrari's first title since 1979 Of the german. From 2001 to 2004, the Ferrari star mostly dominated the scene and won four other titles. Especially with the superior performances in 2002 and 2004, Schumacher, who has meanwhile moved to Switzerland, collected numerous records.
Alonso sends Michael Schumacher into retirement
In 2005 and 2006 this followed then, however, another downturn towards the end of the glamorous career. With a third and a second place - behind the world champion Fernando Alonso - Michael Schumacher ended his active career as a Formula 1 driver. Last year, however, the seven-time world champion was able to break one last record: At the San Marino GP, Schumacher secured his 66 pole position and thus trumped the record set by Ayrton Senna in this category as well. At the race in Italy he officially announced his retirement.
Even after his active career, Schumacher remained loyal to Scuderia Ferrari as a consultant. At first he even helped his team out on a few test drives, but then put the steering wheel aside for good. The Swiss by choice found a replacement in motorcycling, where he gave his family and fans a few scares with a few slip-ups and takeoffs.
Schumacher's comeback with Mercedes GP
2009 Schumacher made his fans are hoping for a return to Formula 1. After a serious accident involving Ferrari driver Felipe Massa, the record world champion was supposed to replace. But at the last second, the German had to cancel the comeback due to the aftermath of a motorcycle crash. The sudden enthusiasm of the fans had kindled a fire again in Schumacher.
When world champion Jenson Button surprisingly switched to McLaren after the season, the comeback plans got a new boost. Shortly before Christmas, Michael Schumacher finally gave his fans the greatest gift and announced his return to Formula 1.
First Mercedes victory is a long time coming
Walked alongside Nico Rosberg the old champion in 2010 for the new Mercedes works team. But after a three-year break there were more problems than Schumacher could have liked. The Silver Arrow turned out to be weaker than expected and the record champion couldn't handle the tires either. In addition, he was overshadowed time and time again by Nico Rosberg. Only at the end of the season did Schumi gain momentum and let his qualities flash.
The team-internal duel against Rosbergwas also lost in 2011. Since the MGP W02 was only the fourth force in the field, it didn't make much difference in the end whether Schumi finished seventh or eighth. As in the previous year, he proved that he is still a tough opponent in one-on-one matches. Especially in the first laps of a race, nobody overtook as much as Schumi.
(Status: 01/2012)
