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Michael SchumacherGreat Formula Racer
Date of Birth: 03.01.1969
Country:  Germany |
The Great Formula One Racer
The name of this legendary pilot has long become generic, and his signature driving style is unsuccessfully replicated by thousands of followers all over the world. His titles, records, and awards can be listed for hours, and his achievements inspire sincere admiration. We are, of course, talking about the Formula One racing star Michael Schumacher.
Childhood and Youth
He was born in 1969 in the German city of Hürth-Hermülheim. His father Rolf Schumacher managed the city's go-kart track, and his mother Elizabeth worked at a school. Michael's interest in racing came from his father. At the age of 4, he sat behind the wheel of a kart for the first time, and at 5, he raced on the track like a professional. It would be unfair not to mention another childhood interest of the racing star. At an early age, Michael Schumacher practiced martial arts. At first, he enjoyed it, but when he discovered karting, judo and karate became a thing of the past. His interest in racing cars pushed everything else out of the life of a boy born for speed.
Biography
Michael Schumacher's biography from the age of 10 is a story of victories in city and regional karting championships. Michael's hobby gradually turned into his future profession. At the age of 14, he obtained a racing license, which allowed him to compete in world-level championships. It goes without saying that the main passion of Schumacher's life left no time for studying in school or college. Michael received an education as demanded by his parents, but it passed through his mind "in transit". Besides, he had no time to study as a boy. The younger brother of the racing star, Ralf Schumacher, also dedicated his life to car racing. He began his career ten years after Michael and also achieved success. Ralf's loud victory was the main award at the fourth stage of the 2001 world championship. Interestingly, in their youth, the brothers became the first relatives in the history of Formula One to step onto the podium together. They achieved this twice - at the Italian Grand Prix, and later at the Canadian Grand Prix. After retiring, Ralf took the position of sporting director at HWA Team, a team representing the interests of the car brand Mercedes-Benz.
Racing Career
Michael Schumacher's professional career started in 1984. By 1987, he won several European and German Formula König championships. From that time on, many large companies began to offer him contracts. As for the famous Formula One, the pilot appeared here thanks to an unpleasant incident with the main driver of the Team Jordan, Bertrand Gachot. The young man ended up in jail after a fight with a taxi driver due to his explosive character. Team owner Eddie Jordan had to urgently look for a replacement for Gachot. This is when Michael's manager appeared on the horizon, who managed to convince Jordan that Schumacher was the one he needed. At the same time, the manager lied that the pilot knew the track perfectly, although he saw it for the first time.
The debut race of the athlete was successful: he finished in 7th place, which was an excellent result for a novice. In addition, Michael Schumacher attracted attention with his signature driving style. The director of Benetton, Flavio Briatore, noticed the promising racer. And immediately he poached the young man into his team.
In 1992, the German pilot came in 3rd in Formula One at the Belgian Grand Prix. This was an undeniable success for such a young racer. At this time, he gained the nickname "The Sunshine Boy" for his radiant smile and bright yellow racing suit.
From 1993 to 1995, Schumacher achieved several victories. Experts are confident that he could have achieved even higher results if not for technical problems with the cars.
In 1996, Michael Schumacher agreed to collaborate with Ferrari and signed a contract to participate in races on their cars. Two years later, the pilot took second place in the McLaren racing cars.
In 1999, Schumacher had his first major accident on the track. It happened at the Formula One Grand Prix in Great Britain. During an overtaking maneuver against Eddie Irvine, Schumacher lost control, and his car crashed into the protective wall. The pilot suffered a leg fracture in two places and missed six races.
Two years later, during the training session at the race in Australia, Schumacher's car went off the track and, performing a somersault in the air, landed on its wheels. The accident in Singapore looked much worse. At that time, Schumacher's car was beyond repair, but the sportsman himself was not injured.
In 2000, the racer became the owner of his 3rd championship title. In 2001, he was awarded his 4th title, and in the summer of 2004, the German holder of multiple titles became champion for the 7th time. This is a record in the history of Formula One racing.
In 2005, "The Sunshine Boy" experienced his first setback. The leadership in the championship was taken by the Renault team, which confidently surpassed Ferrari. The championship title was won by Renault driver Fernando Alonso. Michael Schumacher unexpectedly took only 3rd place.
In 2006, Alonso won again. Schumacher announced that he was retiring from the sport at the end of the season. But he remained with Ferrari as an expert.
In July 2009, the Ferrari team announced that the star was returning and would participate in motorcycle races. Michael was supposed to replace the injured Felipe Massa at the European Grand Prix. However, during motorcycle testing, he suffered a neck injury and refused to race.
In late 2009, the athlete signed a 3-year contract with the Mercedes-Benz team. But in 2010, he was surpassed by his teammate Nico Rosberg, finishing in 9th place for the first time in his Formula One career.
In October 2012, Michael Schumacher held a press conference, officially announcing his retirement and the end of his career.
Personal Life
The athlete's acquaintance with his future wife Corinna Betsch took place at a noisy party, where the beauty came with her boyfriend, also a racer, Heinz-Harald Frentzen. Michael fell in love with this vibrant blonde at first sight. The passionate guy also impressed the girl. Heinz was quickly dismissed.
The couple began dating, but they did not rush to get married. They legalized their relationship in 1997.
Michael's personal life turned out to be happy. In 1997, his beloved wife gave birth to a girl, whom the couple named Gina-Maria. Two years later, their son Mick was born. For the sake of the family, Corinna gave up equestrian sports, which she had been involved in before.
The famous pilot settled with his family in the cozy Swiss town of Gland, not far from Lake Geneva.
In addition, the racer received a luxurious gift from a wealthy fan - Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum. The sheikh presented Schumacher with an island in the Persian Gulf. Its approximate value is $7 million.
Tragedy
In late December 2013, a tragic accident occurred at the famous alpine ski resort of Meribel. Michael Schumacher, skiing on a slope with his son, went beyond its boundaries and continued his path on a slope that was not intended for skiing. The athlete stumbled upon a rock, lost his balance, and fell, sustaining a serious head injury. If it weren't for his helmet, his death would have been inevitable and instantaneous.
Initially, Michael Schumacher's health condition did not cause concern. Many media outlets were quick to report that the injury was not so dangerous. However, during transportation, an unexpected collapse occurred. Michael was connected to a ventilator. Doctors urgently performed two neurosurgical operations, but the expected relief did not come. The decision was made to put Schumacher in an induced coma.
Doctors, like the army of fans of the star, persistently believed that Michael Schumacher would recover and return to a full life. But it would take months of prolonged treatment and rehabilitation procedures to achieve this.
In the summer of 2014, the athlete's manager, Sabine Kehm, announced that Michael had left the hospital in Grenoble to continue a long rehabilitation course. He woke up from the coma. In September of the same year, Kehm announced that Schumacher had returned home, and now his rehabilitation would take place in familiar surroundings.
But the latest news about Michael Schumacher, unfortunately, cannot be called joyful. His health condition, although not critical, still raises concerns. Nevertheless, the family of the racer and millions of his fans continue to hope that the legendary racer will recover and return to good health soon.
To the great disappointment of Formula One fans, in the summer of 2016, Sabine Kehm announced that the situation was so complicated that the family could not provide any details about Schumacher's condition to the public.
In late autumn 2016, former Ferrari boss Luca di Montezemolo confirmed the sad news that the racer was in critical condition.
But the family is not giving up. They have spent €16 million on Michael's treatment, with weekly expenses reaching €114,000. Corinna Schumacher sold their house in Norway and Michael's private plane.
In December 2016, it became known that a team of 15 doctors was taking care of Schumacher, trying to get the star back on his feet at home. The unique equipment used by the doctors costs a fortune, as they attempt to restore mobility to the athlete's muscles and stabilize his health.
Michael Schumacher today
Michael and Corinna's children have followed in their parents' footsteps and also engage in sports. Since 2016, their son Mick has been part of the European Formula 3 drivers. His biggest achievement so far is 3rd place in the 5th stage of the world championship and 1st place in the European championship in 2018.
Daughter Gina-Maria is seriously involved in equestrian sports and is a two-time reigning world champion in reining (also known as western or cowboy dressage). The girl leads a private life, but in the spring of 2018, she gave her first interview, in which she talked about her sporting achievements. Reporters failed to get any information about her father's condition from Gina-Maria. The family members still keep all the details of Michael's treatment a closely guarded secret.
Currently, the athlete is still undergoing rehabilitation. In the fall of 2018, it was announced that Michael began showing emotions. After his wife showed him a photo of a mountain landscape, tears appeared in Schumacher's eyes. Corinna considers this emotional breakthrough a breakthrough in treatment. She plans to move her husband to Mallorca, where she has thoughtfully bought a house for €30 million.
Awards and Achievements
1994, 1995, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004 - Formula One champion
From October 8, 2000, to September 25, 2005 (1813 days) - the longest consecutive period as a world champion.
