A Brief Biography and TimelineMichael Schumacher is universally regarded as the most talented driver of his generation, with wages at Ferrari which are allegedly more than twice those of the next best-paid driver. He made his Grand Prix debut in 1991 with Jordan, driving one race before being snapped up by Benetton. The following year he won his first race in Belgium and finished third overall. In 1994 he won his first Drivers' Championship title and successfully defended it the following year. In 1996 he joined Ferrari, finishing third overall despite ever-present aggravation from the car. A year later he was stripped of second place after a disgraceful incident with Jacques Villeneuve in the last race of the season. His supreme self-confidence, which is sometimes interpreted as arrogance, and extreme will to win occasionally means that he courts trouble. The most notable incidents being several on track tangles with Damon Hill during 1995 and 1996, the 1997 event with Villeneuve and being prevented from punching David Coulthard in the Spa pitlane during the 1998 Belgium Grand Prix.
1999, though, proved to be a disappointing year for him. Whilst in a strong second position and fighting hard to realise his dream goal of winning the Drivers' World Championship for Ferrari he crashed on the first lap of the British Grand Prix and broke his leg, which necessitated a three month healing period. While he was out of action number two driver Eddie Irvine found himself leading the Scuderia's challenge and in the position to win it. Controversy reigned whilst Formula1 fans wondered if the German would return to help his team mate take the crown he so desperately wanted for himself. He put all rumours to rest at the Malaysian Grand Prix, in his first appearance after the accident, with his blistering pace in qualifying and superlative performance in the race - controlling it so that Irvine won and taking second place for himself. This was nearly to no good when Ferrari were briefly disqualified from the Malaysian Grand Prix because of a technical irregularity, but their points were re-instated on appeal and Irvine was leading the championship by the smallest of margins. At the final round in Japan Schumacher once again controlled qualifying, taking pole position easily, but in the race he faltered and made a slow start allowing Hakkinen to take the lead and win the championship.
1999 Crashed out of the British Grand Prix and broke his leg. Won the San Marino and Monaco Grands Prix and finished 5th in the drivers' championship with 44 points.
1998 Six race wins, two 2nds and two 3rds got Schumacher so close to his third World title, after seemingly having no chance in mid-season. Unfortunately 1998 may be remembered more for his rage in the pits at Spa, and his stall on the grid in Suzuka, than his valiant but ultimately unsuccessful challenge for the title.
1997 Finishes second in the Drivers' Championship but is disqualified by FIA after colliding with Jacques Villeneuve in the final race of the season.
1996 Joins Ferrari and manages third spot despite a series of mechanical failures.
1995 Wins his second F1 title on the spin with Benetton.
1994 Wins his first Drivers' Championship in controversial style after a collision with nearest rival Damon Hill puts both drivers out of the final race with Hill threatening to pass.
1993 Finishes 4th in the Drivers' Championship with 52 points.
1992 Finishes 3rd in his first full F1 season, winning his maiden grand prix at Spa, Belgium.
1991 Makes his Formula One debut with Jordan, driving one race before moving to Benetton, where he finished the season with four points.
1990 Wins F3 German Championship
1989 Finishes third in F3 German Championship behind Karl Wendlinger and Heinz-Harald Frentzen.
2000 RESULTS:
Australia: Q 3 P 1
Brasil: Q 3 P 1
San Marino: Q 2 P 1
Britain: Q 5 P 3
Spain: Q 1 P 4
Europe: Q 2 P 1
Monaco: Q 1 P Retired
Canada Q 1 P 1
France: Q 1 P Retired
|
