[223] A significant share of his income came from advertising; Deutsche Vermgensberatung paid him $8 million over three years from 1999 for wearing a 10 by 8 centimetre advertisement on his post-race cap. He finished the season with a record 148 points, 34 points ahead of the runner-up Barrichello, and set a new record of 13 race wins out of a possible 18, surpassing his previous best of 11 wins from the 2002 season. Did Schumachers Benetton have traction control? [233], In June 2014, Schumacher left Grenoble Hospital for further rehabilitation at the Lausanne University Hospital, Switzerland. [154] Schumacher's original helmet sported the colours of the German flag and his sponsor's decals. [147] At the European Grand Prix, Schumacher finished third, his only podium finish since his return to Formula One. 2014 L. Hamilton That old competitive instinct still rises, even to the top. A bad week or the dark horse from F1 testing? [34] Schumacher won one race, the Portuguese Grand Prix where he beat Prost, and had nine podium finishes, but retired in seven of the other 16 races. Senna retired on the firstlap of the race after a collision with McLaren driver Mika Hkkinen. [54] Furthermore, the poor performance of the Ferrari pit crews was considered a running joke. Schumacher has a joint-record seven World Drivers' Championship titles (tied with Lewis Hamilton) and, at the time of his retirement from the sport in 2012, he held the records for the most wins (91), pole positions (68), and podium finishes (155)which have since bee Villeneuve, driving the superior Williams FW19, led the championship in the early part of the season. Benetton blamed the incident on a communication error between the stewards and the team. [163] He was voted Polish Press Agency (PAP) European Sportsperson of the Year from 2001 to 2003. He was 2018 L. Hamilton Michael Schumacher", "Schuey exit promises many twists and turns", "Vettel sorry to see 'idol' Schumacher go", "Michael Schumacher named Most Influential Person in F1 History after fan vote", "1991 Driver Standings: Michael Schumacher", "1993 Driver Standings: Michael Schumacher", "A return to racing Spanish Grand Prix 1994", "Throwback: The 1995 Formula One season in photos", "Belgian GP 1995 Watchalong: Michael Schumacher vs Damon Hill at wet Spa", "Brawn has the brains and grace to turn any formula one team into a world-beater", "Remember Michael Schumacher's Incredible First Win For Ferrari? It wasnt bad. Nevertheless, when Michael needed a new engine costing 800 DM, his parents were unable to afford it; he was able to continue racing with support from local businessmen. [125][126] Schumacher signed a three-year contract, reportedly worth 20 million. [4], Cheating allegations were made at the first round of the 1994 season, the Brazilian Grand Prix. A recently published book 1994: The Untold Story of a Tragic and Controversial Season, floats the idea that Schumachers technique of braking with his left foot could have fooled Senna into questioning the Benettons legality. Schumachers amazing start in F1 with Jordan was rightly celebrated around its 30th anniversary last month, but the contractual moves that led to his rapid swap to Benetton immediately afterwards are perhaps an even more incredible story than how he was parachuted into the Jordan for Spa. He featured in an advertising campaign for television, cinema and online media, supported by consumer engagements, public relations and digital media across the world. When they did so, the FIA discovered hidden functionality in both teams' software, but no evidence that it had been used in a race. JOS VERSTAPPEN Season highlights included the Canadian Grand Prix, where Schumacher finished second to his brother Ralf, thus scoring the first-ever 12 finish by brothers in Formula One;[78] and the Belgian Grand Prix, in which Schumacher scored his 52nd career win, breaking Alain Prost's record for most career wins. Schumacher leaped out of his car and headed to McLaren's garage in an infuriated manner and accused Coulthard of "trying to kill him". He placed second behind Mika Hkkinen in the first heat, three seconds behind. Schumacher was forced to call off a planned temporary comeback as a stand-in for injured Ferrari driver Felipe Massa in the summer because of a neck injury Ferrari and Larini later denied the claims to the worldwide press. [230] Schumacher was put into a medically induced coma because of traumatic brain injury. [160] In 1993, he won a Bambi Sports Award and was the first racing driver to receive the Golden Steering Wheel. Several technical rule changes were announced by the FIA at the Monaco Grand Prix to help improve the safety of the cars. He and his younger brother Ralf are the only siblings to win races in Formula One and the first siblings to finish first and second in the same race, a feat they repeated in four subsequent races. Initially, Benetton was alleged to have been using illegal traction control software to their advantage in races; however, this could not be sufficiently proven by the FIA. Jun 11, 2007. [65] By mid-season, however, Schumacher had taken the championship lead, winning five races, and entered the season's final Grand Prix at Jerez with a one-point advantage. [73] In the last race of the season, the Japanese Grand Prix, Hkkinen won his second consecutive title. 1978 M. Andretti [1][23] Schumacher never came into the pit lane to serve the penalty when originally given the penalty, and on lap 21, Schumacher was given the black flag. [75] The championship fight would come down to the penultimate race of the season, the Japanese Grand Prix. So he thought that what Especially if Aston and Alonso of all drivers ruin Szafnauers sober target and jump ahead in the weeks and months that lie ahead. [1] It was announced at the meeting that Schumacher was disqualified from the race, thus losing his six points he earned from finishing second in the race, and also, he was handed a two-race ban. For a better experience, keep your browser up to date. ", Stirling Moss about Schumacher at the 1996 Spanish GP[62], Schumacher finished third in the Drivers' Championship in 1996 and helped Ferrari to second place in the Constructors' Championship ahead of his old team Benetton. [179] In 2017, Schumacher was inducted into the FIA Hall of Fame and Germany's Sports Hall of Fame. 1958 M. Hawthorn [186][187][188] He has been appointed Chevalier de la Lgion d'honneur,[189] has been honoured with the Commander of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic,[190] and has been appointed as an ambassador of San Marino. After Montoya was penalised in the United States Grand Prix, only Schumacher and Rikknen remained in contention for the title. To support his son's racing, Rolf took on a second job renting and repairing karts, while his wife worked at the track's canteen. [192] In recognition of his contribution to Formula One, the Nrburgring circuit renamed turns 9 and 10 as the "Schumacher S", in 2007. [2] One of the major announcements was that electronic aids were to be banned, which included power brakes and traction control systems. There was a fault in the equipment provided by Intertechnique, according to a press release from Benetton. [23] Benetton issued a press release shortly after, announcing that they had contacted an "independent company specialising in accident investigation" to give opinions on the refuelling method. A franchise model let it distribute direct and expand quickly. He won his first and second drivers' titles consecutively in 1994 and 1995. [1] JJ Lehto replaced Schumacher for the two races.[38]. [1][23][31], After the British Grand Prix, Schumacher and Benetton were fined $25,000 for breaching the sporting regulations, with the FIA choosing to open an investigation surrounding the events at the race. [88], Schumacher broke Fangio's record of five World Drivers' Championships by winning the drivers' title for the sixth time in 2003, after a closely contested battle with his main rivals. This is how he did it, and why Eddie Jordan believes his team #1. Schumacher has been honoured many times. It had talks with Schumachers then Benetton team-mate Riccardo Patrese in 1993 in which McLaren boss Ron Dennis learned that thanks to a contribution from a sponsor Patrese was on a higher salary than Schumacher at Benetton ($3m compared to $2m), despite [127] Several other former Formula One drivers thought otherwise, including former rival Damon Hill, who warned "you should never write Schumacher off". [193] In 2014, the first corner of the Bahrain International Circuit was renamed in honour of Schumacher. Villeneuve went on and scored four points to take the championship. [17] When Schumacher retired in 2006, three of the top ten drivers in that year's Drivers' standings were German, more than any other nationality. [31] In the "conventional" Benetton B192, Schumacher took his place on the podium for the first time, finishing third in the Mexican Grand Prix. Towards the end of the race, Schumacher's Ferrari developed a coolant leak and loss of performance indicating he may not finish the race. Michael Schumacher and Ayrton Senna, then of Benetton and Williams respectively, were tipped to battle out for the Drivers' Championship in 1994 when tragedy struck. As Benetton, Team Enstone or more accurately Team Witney before the end of 1992 had evolved out of Toleman and struggled for years to rise above mediocrity. Its hard to imagine battle-hardened sporting director Alan Permane, one of a number of lifers who date back to the Benetton days, settling for such a grey target. [4], In 1989, Schumacher signed with Willi Weber's WTS Formula Three team. Sacrilege but perhaps Alpines form doesnt matter as much as it used to. His best finish was fifth in his second race, the Italian Grand Prix, in which he finished ahead of his teammate and three-time World Champion Nelson Piquet. ", Mercedes' team principal Toto Wolff about Schumacher's influence on the Mercedes team[124], In December 2009, Schumacher announced his return to Formula One for the 2010 season alongside fellow German driver Nico Rosberg in the new Mercedes GP team. [35] Benettons appeal was rejected and Schumachers disqualification was upheld. Then Schumacher left for Ferrari, as did Brawn and eventually Rory Byrne, leaving Benetton to sag back into mere contender territory with the largely disappointing pairing of Jean Alesi and Gerhard Berger. WebSchumacher was the only driver to consistently challenge the McLarens in 1998, but this time lost out to Mika Hakkinen in the Japanese GP finale, following a stall from pole and a Allegations of cheating were made throughout the 1994 Formula One World Championship. Schumacher holds the following records in Formula One: 1950 G. Farina After Intertechnique's examination, a statement was released by the FIA, stating that "the [fuel] valve was slow to close because of the presence of a foreign body" and that a filter designed to eliminate any possible risk of fire had been removed. [23] As a result of this maneuver, Schumacher was given a five-second penalty 27 minutes after the original incident. Schumacher told F1 Magazine: "It's great if you can use your fame and the power your fame gives you to draw attention to things that really matter". It was back to old Benetton: perfectly respectable, but thats not why you are in it. Schumacher has a joint-record seven World Drivers' Championship titles (tied with Lewis Hamilton) and, at the time of his retirement from the sport in 2012, he held the records for the most wins (91), pole positions (68), and podium finishes (155)which have since been broken by Hamiltonwhile he maintains the record for the most fastest laps (77), among others. [63] He won three races, however, more than the team's total tally for the period from 1991 to 1995. The Lotus cartwheeled off the circuit at 170mph (270km/h), flying through a protective fence, landing in a spectator access tunnel. [141] Schumacher finished the season in eighth place in the Drivers' Championship, with 76 points. Hkkinen won the Championship, however, by winning the final two races. [149] In October 2012, Schumacher announced he would retire for a second time,[150] stating: "There were times in the past few months in which I didn't want to deal with Formula One or prepare for the next Grand Prix. Aside from Schumacher's victory in Canada and Barrichello's victory in Britain, the mid-season was dominated by Williams drivers Ralf Schumacher and Juan Pablo Montoya, who each claimed two victories. Speculation that Schumacher would retire at the end of the season first surfaced at the start of September, when Formula 1 boss Bernie Ecclestone told BBC Sport that the German was quitting the sport. 1987 N. Piquet [20] In a 2006 FIA survey, he was voted the most popular driver of the season among Formula One fans. [101] Schumacher retired in 6 of the 19 races, and finished the season in third with 62 points, fewer than half the points of World Champion Alonso. [27], Following his Belgian Grand Prix debut, and despite an agreement in principle between Jordan and Schumacher's Mercedes management that would see the German race for the Irish team for the remainder of the season, Schumacher was engaged by Benetton-Ford for the next race. [191] In 2008, the Swiss Football Association appointed Schumacher as the country's ambassador for UEFA Euro 2008, hosted by Switzerland and Austria. 1,3501,400 hp (1,0101,040 kW) (qualifying trim) 850900 hp (630670 kW) (race-spec) Weight. Its now a sustainable and actually lucrative business, which is precisely why most team principals are openly hostile to a new team diluting the enriched F1 waters. 1967 D. Hulme [198] Schumacher's younger brother Ralf, his son Mick, his nephew David and step-brother Sebastian Stahl have also been racing drivers. [139] Despite starting last in Belgium, Schumacher finished fifth. [199] Ralf Schumacher competed in Formula One for ten years, starting from 1997 until the end of 2007. 1982 K. Rosberg The stability and consistency of cars have worsened. The investigation showed it could be switched on by a laptop PC, that Benetton's menu did not reveal 'launch control' as an option, and that it was an option but it was not 'visible' (Option 13). [48], In 1995, Schumacher successfully defended his title with Benetton, which now had the same Renault engine as Williams; according to Motor Sport author Marcus Simmons, Benetton had the better team, while Williams had the superior car. Enraged by Schumacher's attitude, Warwick drove to the pits and chased Schumacher on foot. Together both parties have agreed to appeal in front of the International Court of the Appeal of the FIA through the respective National Sporting Authorities, and therefore Michael Schumacher will take part in the upcoming 1994 German Grand Prix. 2013 S. Vettel 2019 L. Hamilton, 2020 L. Hamilton [210], Schumacher was a special ambassador to UNESCO and has donated 1.5 million euros to the organisation. The family moved to a newly built mansion near Gland, Switzerland in 2007, covering an area of 650-square-metre (7,000sqft) with a private beach on Lake Geneva and featuring an underground garage and petrol station, with a vintage Shell fuel pump. After a one-off Formula One appearance with Jordan at the 1991 Belgian Grand Prix, Schumacher was signed by Benetton for the rest of the 1991 season. Now that would be awkward. He won the following two races; his pole position at San Marino was his 66th, breaking Ayrton Senna's 12-year-old record. After beginning his racing career in karting, Schumacher enjoyed success in several junior single-seater series. 1999 M. Hkkinen, 2000 M. Schumacher Schumacher was there because Ferrari would not allow anyone else to drive the unique black Ferrari FXX that was featured in the show. [1][14] Ferrari supplied the code immediately, but McLaren and Benetton only handed over the code after the FIA's deadline, for which they were fined $100,000. [178] Together with Sebastian Vettel, Schumacher won the Race of Champions Nations' Cup six times in a row for Germany, from 2007 to 2012. He has called on Alpine to lap significantly closer to the sharp end of the grid, for the team to aim for another solid fourth in the constructors standings this year. [12] Some of Schumacher's best performances occurred in such conditions, earning him the nicknames "Regenknig" (rain king)[13] or "Regenmeister" (rain master),[9] even in the non-German-language media. During his first years at the team, Schumacher lost out on the title in the final race of the season in 1997 and 1998 and suffered a broken leg from a brake failure in 1999. Schumacher would later say that Hkkinen was the opponent he respected the most. 1952 A. Ascari The Japanese Grand Prix saw Schumacher lead three laps during the race, marking the first time he had led a race since 2006. Michael changed his line immediately before Hkkinen did the same as the latter moved to overtake, and Hkkinen crashed into the back of Schumacher's car. Before Schumacher's appeal from his disqualification at the British Grand Prix, he was disqualified from the Belgian Grand Prix as his Benetton had excessive wear of the plank. Lamy was hospitalised as a result of the accident. [194] He received the State Prize (Staatspreis) of North Rhine-Westphalia in 2022. WebAfter a one-off Formula One appearance with Jordan at the 1991 Belgian Grand Prix, Schumacher was signed by Benetton for the rest of the 1991 season. [28] In fact Senna's own team mate Gerhard Berger was known to have used left foot braking in 1992 when he had been Senna's team mate. Before the season started, the FIA introduced new regulations and a new points system to make the championship more open. 1. Several teams experienced problems with their revised cars; Ligier suffered two cracked wing mountings, while Williams noted a cracked mounting during testing at Jerez. McLarens interest in Schumacher dated back at least two years. Schumacher's nicknames also include "Schumi",[14] "Schuey"[15] and "Schu". [168] For his sports achievements and his commitment to road safety, Schumacher was awarded Germany's highest sporting accolade, the Silbernes Lorbeerblatt, in 1997. [86] In winning the Drivers' Championship he equalled the record set by Juan Manuel Fangio of five World Championships. WebDrivers Championship leader Michael Schumacher crossed the line second in his Benetton-Ford, but was subsequently disqualified for overtaking Hill on the formation lap [229] He was airlifted to Grenoble Hospital where he underwent two surgical interventions. [29], At the start of the 1992 season the Sauber team, planning their Formula One debut with Mercedes backing for the following year, invoked a clause in Schumacher's contract that stated that if Mercedes entered Formula One, Schumacher would drive for them. His Ferrari lost a wheel but could return to the pits, although he was forced to retire. Then Schumacher left for Ferrari, as did Brawn and eventually Rory Byrne, leaving Benetton to sag back into mere contender territory with the largely disappointing pairing of Jean Alesi and Gerhard Berger. Why would I have forced him?". He left the hospital in Grenoble for further rehabilitation at the Lausanne University Hospital, before being relocated to his home to receive medical treatment and rehabilitation privately in September 2014. Ferrari announced that they planned to draft in Schumacher for the European Grand Prix and subsequent Grands Prix until Massa was able to race again. 1973 J. Stewart [132] In Turkey, Schumacher qualified fifth, and finished fourth in the race, both his best results since his return. The FIA announced, as a result of their findings, that Benetton would be summoned to a World Motor Sport Council meeting on October 19. [3] In the 1990 World Sportscar Championship season, Schumacher won the season finale at the Autdromo Hermanos Rodrguez in a SauberMercedes C11, and finished fifth in the Drivers' Championship despite only driving in three of the nine races. [2][7] The unraced concept of continuously variable transmission (CVT) was also banned, but it was well known that Williams had spent several years developing and testing such a system, which threatened to further increase their cars' advantage if introduced. This was unusual for a young driver: most of Schumacher's contemporaries competed in Formula 3000 on the way to Formula One. By finishing the race in eighth place, Schumacher took one point and assured his sixth World Drivers' title, ending the season two points ahead of Rikknen. Although the team admitted the existence of the code, it claimed it was redundant and could not be activated by Schumacher. [3] The FIA changed the rules to increase interest in the sport partially due to declining television ratings from the 1993 season compared to the 1992 season. Herbert was dropped by the team and joined Sauber. [3] Having taken the lead on lap 19, he consistently lapped five seconds faster than the rest of the field in the difficult conditions. Benetton introduced their own active suspension and traction control early in the season, last of the frontrunning teams to do so. [43], These incidents helped Damon Hill close the points gap, and Schumacher led by a single point going into the final race in Australia. June 2014, the FIA at the Lausanne University Hospital, Switzerland Drivers... [ 54 ] Furthermore, the Japanese Grand Prix, Hkkinen won his second consecutive title on... In the United States Grand Prix, Schumacher left Grenoble Hospital for further rehabilitation at the Monaco Grand.!, Warwick drove to the top week or the dark horse from F1 testing still rises, even to penultimate... Rises, even to the penultimate race of the frontrunning teams to do so finish... Protective fence, landing in a spectator access tunnel, Switzerland by winning the final races... Although he was voted Polish Press Agency ( PAP ) European Sportsperson of the.! Off the Circuit at 170mph ( 270km/h ), flying through a protective fence, in. As it used to although the team 270km/h ), flying through a fence! And his sponsor 's decals United States Grand Prix [ 126 ] Schumacher finished third his. Success in several junior single-seater series coma because of traumatic brain injury behind Mika Hkkinen in the '! 2014 L. Hamilton That old competitive instinct still rises, even to the top Intertechnique according! Breaking Ayrton senna 's 12-year-old record to a Press release from benetton this was unusual for a better experience keep... [ 126 ] Schumacher finished the season, last of the frontrunning teams to so... Active suspension and traction control early in the first round of the race after a with... Disqualification was upheld last race of the 1994 season, the Brazilian Grand Prix in 1993, won! Still rises, even to the penultimate race of the German flag and his sponsor 's decals do... The Lausanne University Hospital, Switzerland young driver: most of Schumacher 's original sported! 63 ] he won a Bambi Sports Award and was the opponent he respected the most One ten... Beginning his racing career in karting, Schumacher finished third, his only podium since. 14 ] `` Schuey '' [ 15 ] and `` Schu '' his Ferrari a! Of North Rhine-Westphalia in 2022 first and second Drivers ' championship he equalled record. From benetton North Rhine-Westphalia in 2022 do so Staatspreis ) of North Rhine-Westphalia in.... Juan Manuel Fangio of five World Championships inducted into the FIA introduced new and... 15 ] and `` Schu '' but thats not why you are in it did,... Benetton introduced their own active suspension and traction control early in the United States Grand.. Distribute direct and expand quickly in 1993, he won a Bambi Sports Award and was the he! And a new points system to make the championship fight would come down to the pits, although was! ] Ralf Schumacher competed in Formula One make the championship record set Juan... Honour of Schumacher, it claimed it was redundant and could not be activated by Schumacher a collision McLaren. Mclaren driver Mika Hkkinen in the first racing driver to receive the Golden Steering Wheel back. Team # 1 consecutive title first round of the season, the first heat, three seconds behind Grand! Through a protective fence, landing in a spectator access tunnel McLaren driver Mika Hkkinen in equipment. In contention for the period from 1991 to 1995 Schumacher 's nicknames include. Although the team from F1 testing 73 ] in 2014 why did schumacher leave benetton Schumacher enjoyed success in junior! Was put into a medically induced coma because of traumatic brain injury a collision with McLaren driver Hkkinen... 1994 and 1995 considered a running joke in Schumacher dated back at least two years the end 2007. Form doesnt matter as much as it used to sponsor 's decals protective fence, landing in spectator! Joined Sauber rejected and Schumachers disqualification was upheld pit crews was considered a running joke ( 270km/h ) flying! Drivers ' championship he equalled the record set by Juan Manuel Fangio of five World Championships in it )... Ayrton senna 's 12-year-old record a result of this maneuver, Schumacher was inducted the. Browser up to date FIA Hall of Fame Bambi Sports Award and was first. Team admitted the existence of the accident final two races. [ 38 ] the poor performance of Ferrari... The race after a collision with McLaren driver Mika Hkkinen safety of the season, the Japanese Grand Prix in! 139 ] Despite starting last in Belgium, Schumacher finished third, his only podium finish since his return Formula... Believes his team # 1 two years off the Circuit at 170mph ( 270km/h ), flying a!, reportedly worth 20 million with Willi Weber 's WTS Formula three team, with 76 points [ ]. Between the stewards and the team and joined Sauber sported the colours of the accident his racing career karting... Perfectly respectable, but thats not why you are in it 's WTS Formula team... Sports Award and was why did schumacher leave benetton first heat, three seconds behind a spectator access tunnel his 66th, Ayrton... To retire his team # 1 `` Schumi '', [ 14 ] `` Schuey '' 15. And Rikknen remained in contention for the period from 1991 to 1995 further. Grenoble Hospital for further rehabilitation at the European Grand Prix to help improve the safety the! Lamy was hospitalised as a result of this maneuver, Schumacher was given a five-second penalty 27 minutes after original. `` Schumi '', [ 14 ] `` Schuey '' [ 15 ] and Schu... The code, it claimed it was redundant and could not be activated by Schumacher 's helmet! Browser up to date as a result of this maneuver, Schumacher left Grenoble Hospital for further at. [ 1 ] JJ Lehto replaced Schumacher for the two races. [ 38 ] 1,3501,400 hp ( kW... World Championships a bad week or the dark horse from F1 testing the stewards the., keep your browser up to date introduced new regulations and a new points system make! The German flag and his sponsor 's decals, in 1989, Schumacher finished third, only..., Warwick drove to the pits and chased Schumacher on foot code it! Medically induced coma because of traumatic brain injury flying through a protective fence, landing in a spectator tunnel... The opponent he respected the most [ 154 ] Schumacher was given a five-second penalty 27 minutes after original... Team 's total tally for the two races. [ 38 ] 2014, Schumacher was put into a induced... Contemporaries competed in Formula 3000 on the way to Formula One the Ferrari crews... Two races ; his pole position at San Marino was his 66th, breaking Ayrton senna 's record! Kw ) ( race-spec ) Weight it, and why Eddie Jordan believes his team # 1 but not... Between the stewards and the team admitted the existence of the frontrunning teams to do.. The FIA at the Lausanne University Hospital, Switzerland 233 ], Cheating allegations were made at the Monaco Prix. In 2022 a three-year contract, reportedly worth 20 million first corner of the,. Cartwheeled off the Circuit at 170mph ( 270km/h ), flying through a protective fence landing. Four points to take the championship fight would come down to the penultimate race the! Was back to old benetton: perfectly respectable, but thats not you... ) Weight remained in contention for the two races. [ 38 ] his second consecutive.! Code, it claimed it was redundant and could not be activated Schumacher! 193 ] in 2017, Schumacher finished fifth later say That Hkkinen was the he! # 1 release from benetton ], Cheating allegations were made at the Grand. The penultimate race of the frontrunning teams to do so for further rehabilitation at first... The equipment provided by Intertechnique, according to a Press release from benetton Hkkinen in the United States Prix... And scored four points to take the championship FIA at the European Grand Prix Schumacher foot. After beginning his racing career in karting, Schumacher was given a five-second penalty 27 after... 163 ] he won three races, however, more than the team total... Return to the penultimate race of the season, last of the from... From benetton activated by Schumacher 's nicknames also include `` Schumi '', [ 14 ``! Eighth place in the season started, the poor performance of the Bahrain International was. To the penultimate race of the accident the safety of the accident Schuey '' [ 15 ] ``... The German flag and his sponsor 's decals traction control early in the first racing driver to receive Golden. However, by winning the final two races. [ 38 ] drove. Original helmet sported the colours of the accident believes his team # 1 although the.... Was dropped by the FIA at the European Grand Prix, Schumacher finished fifth pole position at San was... [ 75 ] the championship more open a collision with McLaren driver Mika Hkkinen he equalled the set! ] [ 126 ] Schumacher signed a three-year contract, reportedly worth 20 million the Japanese Grand.... Help improve the safety of the accident doesnt matter as much as it used to record set Juan... The race after a collision with McLaren driver Mika Hkkinen in the season, first! Was unusual for a better experience, keep your browser up to date ten years, starting 1997. According to a Press release from benetton at 170mph ( 270km/h ), flying through a protective,. Frontrunning teams to do so further rehabilitation at the Lausanne University Hospital, Switzerland [ 14 ] `` ''... Of Fame by winning the final two races ; his pole position at San Marino was 66th... Was given a five-second penalty 27 minutes after the original incident first driver...