Highlights
The best and worst of Michael Schumacher
(Reuters)
Updated: 2006-10-23 11:06
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The following looks at some of the best and the worst of the 37-year-old German's 246 races since his debut in 1991:
SIX OF THE BEST
BELGIUM 1992
Schumacher's first race win, in the wet, and one in which he showed all his tactical brilliance. Overtaken by Benetton team mate Martin Brundle after sliding off, Schumacher noticed that the Briton's tyres were worn out. Reckoning that his must be as well, he pitted immediately for rain tyres. It was a masterstroke of timing that won him the race.
BELGIUM 1995
A victory from 16th place on the starting grid in changing conditions and with the German staying out on slick tyres in the wet. The outcome was also tainted by controversy, with the German receiving a suspended one-race ban for weaving on the straights to prevent Damon Hill overtaking.
 Ferrari Formula One driver Michael Schumacher of Germany sits for a photo with the rest of the team, after the running of the Brazilian Grand Prix, the last race of Schumacher's F1 career, at the Interlagos track in Sao Paulo, October 22, 2006. Renault's Fernando Alonso won his second successive Formula One world championship at the Brazilian Grand Prix on Sunday. The 25-year-old Spaniard, needing only one point to secure the title, finished second in the season-ending race at Interlagos. Schumacher, who had to win to have any hope of a record eighth title in his last race before retirement, was fourth. [Reuters] |
EUROPE 1995
In his last race in Europe for Benetton, Schumacher reeled in Jean Alesi and overtook him two laps from the finish to win in front of his home fans at the Nuerburgring in a race hailed as the greatest of his second championship year.
SPAIN 1996
Schumacher's first win for Ferrari, again in the rain, and he lapped the entire field bar the two men on the podium with him -- although he was 45 seconds clear of second-placed Alesi. "If anyone had asked me how much I would bet on me winning here I would have said not one penny," declared Schumacher.
HUNGARY 1998
An inspired drive, coupled with a three-stop strategy at a circuit where overtaking is deemed almost impossible. Schumacher had to drive a series of sprints after technical director Ross Brawn asked him to make up 25 seconds in 19 laps. Schumacher replied 'Thank You' and did just that.
JAPAN 2000
The race that clinched Schumacher's first title for Ferrari, ending their 21-year wait for a drivers' crown. Schumacher had trailed McLaren rival Mika Hakkinen for almost 40 laps before getting ahead with pitstop strategy. Not the most thrilling of races, but one of the most emotional.
THREE OF THE WORST
AUSTRALIA 1994
Schumacher faced furious accusations of cheating after an infamous collision with Briton Damon Hill in the title-deciding Australian Grand Prix in Adelaide. The incident on the 31st of 81 laps knocked both drivers out of the race and Schumacher won the crown by one point.
EUROPE 1997
Another collision, this time at Jerez with Schumacher trying to ram Canadian Jacques Villeneuve off the track in the title decider. This time it backfired, Villeneuve won the championship and Schumacher was excluded from the final classification.
AUSTRIA 2002
A black day for Formula One, with worldwide outrage after Ferrari ordered Rubens Barrichello, who had dominated the entire weekend and led from start to finish, to slow and allow Schumacher to win. He did so at the last corner. There was no need for it. The German had won four of the five previous races and ended up winning the title by a record margin.
A BIT OF BOTH
MONACO 2006
Schumacher again revived accusations of cheating when he was sent to the back of the grid for deliberately blocking the track in the dying seconds of qualifying, preventing rivals from beating him to pole position. He atoned for it during the race, storming through to finish fifth and with the fastest lap.