Its long time since all of us are treated with this McLaren Mercedes stiff among themselves. Lewis Hamilton is a phenomenon in himself. The F1 boss Bernie Ecclestone himself thanked this one of a kind "rookie" for his skill sets. He is termed rookie cuz his first championship race was an F1 grand prix. Alright so it's admitted that this Rookie is one of the most talented guys around the racing circuit. On the other end Fernando Alonso doesn't seem to change his approach towards his competition. Previous year we had a similar thing between him and Michael Schumacher, but Schumi being far better sports person never really got dragged in the arena. Michael Schumacher has reigned over Formula 1 for 15 years, won 7 championships and become the undisputed king of Formula 1. The last race of the 2006 season [Brazilian Grand Prix] and he could make it 8 titles. Schumi has a mountain to climb. He starts 10th and then a puncture ends his title hopes and he finishes 4th. Thats the end of Michael Schumacher. The Champion. The Villan.SCHUMI | KING OF KART
But Michael Schumacher's entry into the world of Formula 1 was an event in itself. Schumi was quite a menace for starters. "He doesn't know where the line is between hard but fair and ruthless but foul", thats what his partner Martin Brundle commented after a race.
By the mid 80's, Schumi had won almost everything in carting and his talent soon demanded higher run on the racing ladder. In Formula Ford and Formula Curnick, Michael won a string of victories that lifted him to Formula 3 and his first major success. Michael also raced sports car for Mercedes Benz and his name began to appear on the Formula 1 radar. Although not always for the right reasons.
TEAM 1 | JORDAN : EDDIE JORDAN [1991]
Eddie Jordan gave Michael Schumacher his first Formula 1 drive, at the Belgian Grand Prix of Spa in 1991, although for reasons more based on commerce than talent. They needed someone to pay for the Engine bills and the Tyre Bills. Michael paid and he got into the car. Hence it's not all to do with talent. Although we like to claim it. Eddie Jordan needed money and a good quality driver and the rest is now history. It was a first time for Michael Schumacher in a Formula 1 car and he qualified a quite incredible 7th. Unfortunately the honeymoon was soon over. His grand prix ended on the first lap and the German was out of the race.
TEAM 2 | FLAVIO BRIATORE : BENETTON [1992]
But it had been enough to prompt other team's interests and a young Flavio Briatore poached Michael for his Benetton Team in 1992. He intimidated his team mate Martin Brundle. Martin admitted that he was a difficult team mate cuz he was strong in the head and quite fast for him and has a shine around him every time he got out of the car. Schumi drove Martin off the road for a couple of times but generally they got on well and achieved a lot in 1992.
He also battle Aryton Senna in 1992, who was a mentor for him through out his carting career. Now the battle shifted on the Formula 1 arena. A respect grew between the two even as Senna didn't always like Michaels style, most explosively at the 1992 French Grand Prix. Senna was heard advising Schumacher to think before making a move that could put others at risk ... and all of this happened on National Television! But it was a lasting respect.Obvious to see years later, when an emotional Schumacher equaled Senna's record of 41 victories.
In 1993 he finished 4th behind Prost, Senna and Hill and 1994 saw a an older if not always wiser Michael finishing 4th in the Spanish Grand Prix, despite being stuck in the 5th gear. His driving was spectacular.
But how he went about winning wasn't always so impressive. Most famously at the year's (1994) title decider. The final race of the season in Adelaide, where Michael was battling Damon Hill for the championship. Michael was ahead on the points list followed closely by Damon Hill. He got off the track and was defending his position against Damon Hill. Trying to keep up with his track position he slammed his car into the progressing Damon Hill and bounced his car off his tyres. Schumacher retired from the race effectively at that point. But Damon Hill continued to race as Michael awaited the chequered flag by the track side.
Damon Hill has only to keep going to be the world champion. Within moments Damon Hill retired from the race and that technically made Michael the champion for the season who was scarcely able to believe his luck. They were accused of cheating by many teams. But for the time being Schumacher and Benetton were unstoppable.
The next year (1995) saw 9 wins, 11 podiums and another bold battle with Damon Hill for the title. They both went off the track in a similar freak incident at a decider. Schumacher ran upto Williams [Damon Hill's car] and had a big big discussion about this. But the crowd were delighted. Despite of the appearances on the track there was a deep respect between the two of them. But 1995 was Michael's year again and championship number 2. It looked like the beginning of a lasting relationship between Michael, Flavio, Benetton but Michael had other ideas.It was difficult decision for Michael to leave Benetton but it mattered to him how he achieves something, how he wins races and he was looking for that particular challenge.
TEAM 3 | JEAN TODT : SCUDERIA FERRARI [1996 - 2OO6]
And a challenge was what he got. When Michael joined Ferrari (in 1996) , they were a struggling team. But then Michael and Ferrari became one of the most impressive come backs in the Formula 1 history. But it was hard work. He worked night and day to work with the engineers to a new level. Turning in at Saturday nights to work on his machine. There were early successes. An emotional win for Ferrari's home circuit at Monza in 1997 and a first win at Monaco for Ferrari since 1981. 
But there were bad times as well. Accused of cheating again after a disqualification from a 1997 world championships for deliberated driving into title rival Jack Villeneuve and on the following year just missing out on 1998 Driver's title.
In 1999, on the first lap of the British Grand Prix, things went from bad to worse. Schumacher locked his brakes and couldn't slow down. It was a simple driving mistake from Michael. Michael snatched a brake and the snatched both of the brakes and panics and stays on the pedal and had a big impact at a very considerable speed at the tyre wall corner. That year Ferrari won their first constructor's championship since Michael joined them. But it was bitter sweet. Michael's crash caused by a rear break failure left him with a badly broken leg and a question mark whether the great German would ever return to form. He missed his next six races and a chance for claiming his first Driver's title for Ferrari.
But Michael fought back. He worked harder and came back fitter, stronger and even more determined. His level of fitness was incredible. The Ferrari bad times were about to come to an end. For next 5 seasons belonged to Ferrari and Michael Schumacher. Record after record fell. Michael smashed Senna's record of 41 race wins, Prost's record of 51 wins, then Fangio's record of 5 championships. In 2004, Michael left the rest of the grid in his wake. Winning 13 out of 18 races and becoming the first driver to win 5 consecutive world championships and a magnificent 7 in all. No one could touch him. Michael became so dominant, it was whispered that his unchallenged success could even be damaging the sport. But the Ferrari fans loved every minute of it. Maranello, the spiritual home of Ferrari took Michael Schumacher, a German by their heart. Victory followed victory followed victory.
But admists all that success and celebration, there was controversy. These legends and geniuses sometimes go the edge and sometimes over the edge to achieve. The Schumacher's belief in winning at any cost brought more calls of cheat. This time at the 2002 Austrian Grand Prix. On the last lap, it didn't look that there were going to be any "Team Orders". But Barrichello got real close to Schumacher on the last curve and Schumi went on to win the race effectively due to these "Team Orders". Rubens Barrichello let through Michael Schumacher to win the race. Michael Schumacher was never heard booed before. It was such a shame. No good for the sport. Not good for anybody. A case of "Team Orders" at the very end of the race resulted in embarrassment and criticism that rocked the sport to its core. Damaging Michael Schumacher and Ferrari's reputation. A Reputation that wasn't helped by an ill advised attempt to put things right things later in the season at Indianapolis. A clumsy staged finish that left the American crowd scratching their heads and Formula 1 fans deeply disillusioned. According to the computer Barrichello had been given the win after following the whole race behind Schumacher. Rubens Barrichello won the Grand Prix. That day F1 died of shame.
There was personal tragedy too. At the 2003 San Marino Grand Prix, Schumacher raced and won despite hearing the news of the death of his Mother at the very day of the race.
Through all this the five seasons from 2000 through 2004 belonged to Schumacher. But that was all about to change. A young Spaniard and another team on a come back charge were about to take the spring out of the Michael's step. Fernando Alonso did the impossible. He outed the Schumacher's "Schumacher". Aggressive, daring, even a little arrogant. Alonso took the old man of the sport and he won. And no one loved it more than Renault's Flavio Briatorri, who had never forgiven Michael Schumacher for leaving his Benetton team for Ferrari 9 years before.
2005 was not a good season for Ferrari and Michael Schumacher. Rule changes hurt their car. Alonso and Renault hurt their invincible reputation. And by the middle of the season, Schumacher admitted title defeat. He was right. Alonso won his first championship. For the first time in 5 years, Michael was not number 1.
For 2006 season, didn't look like it is going to be any better for Michael. A massive smash in Australia gave the race to Alonso. A few races later, at the twisty Monaco circuit where a pole position is as good as winning the race, Schumacher did something that left his reputation in tatters. After qualifying at pole position he made a mistake somewhere in the middle if the first sector and halted on the track when others were at their respective flying laps.
It spoiled everyone else's lap too. The Yellow flags were out. That kept him in pole position. Alonso came out on a flier and went past Schumacher but missed out on pole. Michael was again called upon as a cheat. He was thrown back down the grid and Alonso went on to win the race. "It was the cheapest, Dirtiest thing that I have ever seen in Formula 1.", that was what Keke Rosberg had to say about the incident. Adding insult to injury Flavio Briattory commented, "This is the way Ferrari manage you know ... "
But Monaco set the tone for another Schumacher come back. He may have scored only 2 wins in first 9 races in 2006. But he fought back to win 5 of the next 7. Classic Ferrari. Classic Schumacher.
In the middle of this run, came Monza and the news that had been hanging over the whole season. Eddie Jordan said, "I think Michael had been pushed out. they had already signed Kimi Räikkönen and it was very difficult for them to get rid of Massa."
Martin Brundle, Micael's former racing partner said, "It's a shame and you could construct to it that he has run away from racing with Räikkönen next year as well. And I think that take a little away from his achievement."
On his last lap of the race, commentator said "He said I don't want any distractions. I just wanna race on sunday and then we will talk. But now we will talk. Jean Todt doen't know what to do, whether to laugh or cry". That day Michael Schumacher retired from Formula 1 Racing. He is technically the best driver Formula 1 has ever had. He has set so high standards that todays young rookie have to keep up with. The level of fitness, the perfection to the bit and of course the skill sets.
Hail Schumi. Hail Ferrari. BRAVO SCHUMI. BRAVO INDEED.
But Michael Schumacher's entry into the world of Formula 1 was an event in itself. Schumi was quite a menace for starters. "He doesn't know where the line is between hard but fair and ruthless but foul", thats what his partner Martin Brundle commented after a race.
By the mid 80's, Schumi had won almost everything in carting and his talent soon demanded higher run on the racing ladder. In Formula Ford and Formula Curnick, Michael won a string of victories that lifted him to Formula 3 and his first major success. Michael also raced sports car for Mercedes Benz and his name began to appear on the Formula 1 radar. Although not always for the right reasons.
TEAM 1 | JORDAN : EDDIE JORDAN [1991]
Eddie Jordan gave Michael Schumacher his first Formula 1 drive, at the Belgian Grand Prix of Spa in 1991, although for reasons more based on commerce than talent. They needed someone to pay for the Engine bills and the Tyre Bills. Michael paid and he got into the car. Hence it's not all to do with talent. Although we like to claim it. Eddie Jordan needed money and a good quality driver and the rest is now history. It was a first time for Michael Schumacher in a Formula 1 car and he qualified a quite incredible 7th. Unfortunately the honeymoon was soon over. His grand prix ended on the first lap and the German was out of the race.TEAM 2 | FLAVIO BRIATORE : BENETTON [1992]
But it had been enough to prompt other team's interests and a young Flavio Briatore poached Michael for his Benetton Team in 1992. He intimidated his team mate Martin Brundle. Martin admitted that he was a difficult team mate cuz he was strong in the head and quite fast for him and has a shine around him every time he got out of the car. Schumi drove Martin off the road for a couple of times but generally they got on well and achieved a lot in 1992. 
He also battle Aryton Senna in 1992, who was a mentor for him through out his carting career. Now the battle shifted on the Formula 1 arena. A respect grew between the two even as Senna didn't always like Michaels style, most explosively at the 1992 French Grand Prix. Senna was heard advising Schumacher to think before making a move that could put others at risk ... and all of this happened on National Television! But it was a lasting respect.Obvious to see years later, when an emotional Schumacher equaled Senna's record of 41 victories.
In 1993 he finished 4th behind Prost, Senna and Hill and 1994 saw a an older if not always wiser Michael finishing 4th in the Spanish Grand Prix, despite being stuck in the 5th gear. His driving was spectacular.
But how he went about winning wasn't always so impressive. Most famously at the year's (1994) title decider. The final race of the season in Adelaide, where Michael was battling Damon Hill for the championship. Michael was ahead on the points list followed closely by Damon Hill. He got off the track and was defending his position against Damon Hill. Trying to keep up with his track position he slammed his car into the progressing Damon Hill and bounced his car off his tyres. Schumacher retired from the race effectively at that point. But Damon Hill continued to race as Michael awaited the chequered flag by the track side.
Damon Hill has only to keep going to be the world champion. Within moments Damon Hill retired from the race and that technically made Michael the champion for the season who was scarcely able to believe his luck. They were accused of cheating by many teams. But for the time being Schumacher and Benetton were unstoppable.
The next year (1995) saw 9 wins, 11 podiums and another bold battle with Damon Hill for the title. They both went off the track in a similar freak incident at a decider. Schumacher ran upto Williams [Damon Hill's car] and had a big big discussion about this. But the crowd were delighted. Despite of the appearances on the track there was a deep respect between the two of them. But 1995 was Michael's year again and championship number 2. It looked like the beginning of a lasting relationship between Michael, Flavio, Benetton but Michael had other ideas.It was difficult decision for Michael to leave Benetton but it mattered to him how he achieves something, how he wins races and he was looking for that particular challenge.TEAM 3 | JEAN TODT : SCUDERIA FERRARI [1996 - 2OO6]
And a challenge was what he got. When Michael joined Ferrari (in 1996) , they were a struggling team. But then Michael and Ferrari became one of the most impressive come backs in the Formula 1 history. But it was hard work. He worked night and day to work with the engineers to a new level. Turning in at Saturday nights to work on his machine. There were early successes. An emotional win for Ferrari's home circuit at Monza in 1997 and a first win at Monaco for Ferrari since 1981. 
But there were bad times as well. Accused of cheating again after a disqualification from a 1997 world championships for deliberated driving into title rival Jack Villeneuve and on the following year just missing out on 1998 Driver's title.
In 1999, on the first lap of the British Grand Prix, things went from bad to worse. Schumacher locked his brakes and couldn't slow down. It was a simple driving mistake from Michael. Michael snatched a brake and the snatched both of the brakes and panics and stays on the pedal and had a big impact at a very considerable speed at the tyre wall corner. That year Ferrari won their first constructor's championship since Michael joined them. But it was bitter sweet. Michael's crash caused by a rear break failure left him with a badly broken leg and a question mark whether the great German would ever return to form. He missed his next six races and a chance for claiming his first Driver's title for Ferrari.
But Michael fought back. He worked harder and came back fitter, stronger and even more determined. His level of fitness was incredible. The Ferrari bad times were about to come to an end. For next 5 seasons belonged to Ferrari and Michael Schumacher. Record after record fell. Michael smashed Senna's record of 41 race wins, Prost's record of 51 wins, then Fangio's record of 5 championships. In 2004, Michael left the rest of the grid in his wake. Winning 13 out of 18 races and becoming the first driver to win 5 consecutive world championships and a magnificent 7 in all. No one could touch him. Michael became so dominant, it was whispered that his unchallenged success could even be damaging the sport. But the Ferrari fans loved every minute of it. Maranello, the spiritual home of Ferrari took Michael Schumacher, a German by their heart. Victory followed victory followed victory.
But admists all that success and celebration, there was controversy. These legends and geniuses sometimes go the edge and sometimes over the edge to achieve. The Schumacher's belief in winning at any cost brought more calls of cheat. This time at the 2002 Austrian Grand Prix. On the last lap, it didn't look that there were going to be any "Team Orders". But Barrichello got real close to Schumacher on the last curve and Schumi went on to win the race effectively due to these "Team Orders". Rubens Barrichello let through Michael Schumacher to win the race. Michael Schumacher was never heard booed before. It was such a shame. No good for the sport. Not good for anybody. A case of "Team Orders" at the very end of the race resulted in embarrassment and criticism that rocked the sport to its core. Damaging Michael Schumacher and Ferrari's reputation. A Reputation that wasn't helped by an ill advised attempt to put things right things later in the season at Indianapolis. A clumsy staged finish that left the American crowd scratching their heads and Formula 1 fans deeply disillusioned. According to the computer Barrichello had been given the win after following the whole race behind Schumacher. Rubens Barrichello won the Grand Prix. That day F1 died of shame.
There was personal tragedy too. At the 2003 San Marino Grand Prix, Schumacher raced and won despite hearing the news of the death of his Mother at the very day of the race.
Through all this the five seasons from 2000 through 2004 belonged to Schumacher. But that was all about to change. A young Spaniard and another team on a come back charge were about to take the spring out of the Michael's step. Fernando Alonso did the impossible. He outed the Schumacher's "Schumacher". Aggressive, daring, even a little arrogant. Alonso took the old man of the sport and he won. And no one loved it more than Renault's Flavio Briatorri, who had never forgiven Michael Schumacher for leaving his Benetton team for Ferrari 9 years before.2005 was not a good season for Ferrari and Michael Schumacher. Rule changes hurt their car. Alonso and Renault hurt their invincible reputation. And by the middle of the season, Schumacher admitted title defeat. He was right. Alonso won his first championship. For the first time in 5 years, Michael was not number 1.
For 2006 season, didn't look like it is going to be any better for Michael. A massive smash in Australia gave the race to Alonso. A few races later, at the twisty Monaco circuit where a pole position is as good as winning the race, Schumacher did something that left his reputation in tatters. After qualifying at pole position he made a mistake somewhere in the middle if the first sector and halted on the track when others were at their respective flying laps.
It spoiled everyone else's lap too. The Yellow flags were out. That kept him in pole position. Alonso came out on a flier and went past Schumacher but missed out on pole. Michael was again called upon as a cheat. He was thrown back down the grid and Alonso went on to win the race. "It was the cheapest, Dirtiest thing that I have ever seen in Formula 1.", that was what Keke Rosberg had to say about the incident. Adding insult to injury Flavio Briattory commented, "This is the way Ferrari manage you know ... "But Monaco set the tone for another Schumacher come back. He may have scored only 2 wins in first 9 races in 2006. But he fought back to win 5 of the next 7. Classic Ferrari. Classic Schumacher.
In the middle of this run, came Monza and the news that had been hanging over the whole season. Eddie Jordan said, "I think Michael had been pushed out. they had already signed Kimi Räikkönen and it was very difficult for them to get rid of Massa."Martin Brundle, Micael's former racing partner said, "It's a shame and you could construct to it that he has run away from racing with Räikkönen next year as well. And I think that take a little away from his achievement."
On his last lap of the race, commentator said "He said I don't want any distractions. I just wanna race on sunday and then we will talk. But now we will talk. Jean Todt doen't know what to do, whether to laugh or cry". That day Michael Schumacher retired from Formula 1 Racing. He is technically the best driver Formula 1 has ever had. He has set so high standards that todays young rookie have to keep up with. The level of fitness, the perfection to the bit and of course the skill sets.Hail Schumi. Hail Ferrari. BRAVO SCHUMI. BRAVO INDEED.
So Finally we move to the current scenario, where in you have seen Fernando Alonso moving out of Reanult within one season [ almost same as Schumi did to Flavio Briatorri's Benetton earlier ]. So we are watching history repeat itself. Schumi moved into Ferrari to have a good future [ which he did by all means possible ] ... I wonder what will happen of Alonso ? Will he move into Ferrari to have a better future ? Lets hope not cuz Massa and Kimi are quite a handful at the moment. And as far as terms with team mate Lewis Hamilton goes, Alonso will have to make a rough decision for himself cuz as I see it now, he is not getting along with McLaren Mercedes Benz. He is a spoilt sport but has not got the character Schumi had. Thats probably the only thing that went wrong with Alonso. And also Flavio's sad vibes that got hold of his championship in danger. Move out Alonso, try Spyker F1, ohh no sorry, Vijay Mallya ensured that you just moved out of the racing arena ... cuz in 2008 Spyker Kingfisher is gonna throng upon the Formula 1 event with Karan Chandok, Armaan Ibrahim and Narain Karthikeyan.
I think its all about winning. You don't win silver, you loose the gold. [Yes, Stole it from SRK speech]. And thats what is important. Knowing what you loose and trying to get it matters, Instead of raking on your success of winning the silver. You win, you will be remembered. If you loose, no one cares how you loose. No one knows how India got kicked out of Cricket World Cup in 2007. But they certainly will remember the Twenty20 World Cup victory for years to come. How they were received and how they were felicitated by mumbai ... the politicians were typical ass holes. I don't give a shit about them. I am talking about the Mumbai people at the airport and on the streets. People won't remember how they got thrashed by Australia within two weeks of their victory in 5 out of 7 matches. [with one no result]. It makes sense, doesn't it ?
3 comments:
Whoa whoa whoa!!
Thats some love you have for the guy!!
I do not follow Formula1 regularly, but sometimes when I really have nothing to do and am flicking channels on that idiot box, I watch it. But it does give this tremendous adrenaline rush to the viewer, which is really nice! :)
dude!! are u pursuing a doctorate? are u doin a phd on schumi? [:P]
hes a legend, no doubts abt tht. but glad tht today theres more competition, and no one can be sure who's gonna win finally
schumi was like fedex...boring, coz we knew who was gonna win(okat fedex loses now, but still) :P
f1 isnt my kinda thing but sometimes reada bout it in the newspapers...
schumi is the god of f1 alrite but guess the guy has some tuf competition now...
after all he is ageing...!!!
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