Michael Schumacher facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Michael Schumacher
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Schumacher at the 1998 Italian Grand Prix
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| Born | 3 January 1969 Hürth, North Rhine-Westphalia, West Germany
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| Spouse(s) |
Corinna Betsch
(m. 1995) |
| Children | 2, including Mick |
| Relatives |
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| Awards | Full list |
| Formula One World Championship career | |
| Nationality |  German |
| Active years | 1991–2006, 2010–2012 |
| Teams | Jordan, Benetton, Ferrari, Mercedes |
| Entries | 308 (306 starts) |
| Championships | 7 (1994, 1995, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004) |
| Wins | 91 |
| Podiums | 155 |
| Career points | 1566 |
| Pole positions | 68 |
| Fastest laps | 77 |
| First entry | 1991 Belgian Grand Prix |
| First win | 1992 Belgian Grand Prix |
| Last win | 2006 Chinese Grand Prix |
| Last entry | 2012 Brazilian Grand Prix |
| 24 Hours of Le Mans career | |
| Years | 1991 |
| Teams | Sauber |
| Best finish | 5th (1991) |
| Class wins | 0 |
| Signature | |
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Michael Schumacher (born 3 January 1969) is a famous German former racing driver. He competed in Formula One, the highest class of international racing, from 1991 to 2006 and again from 2010 to 2012. Schumacher holds many records in Formula One, including winning seven Formula One World Drivers' Championship titles. He shares this record with Lewis Hamilton. When he first retired, he held records for most wins (91), pole positions (68), and podium finishes (155). He still holds the record for most fastest laps (77).
Michael Schumacher was born in Hürth, West Germany, to a working-class family. He started kart racing at age four. After a successful karting career, he moved up to junior racing series. He quickly showed his talent, winning championships in Formula König and German Formula Three. He also raced in the World Sportscar Championship with Sauber Mercedes. Schumacher made his Formula One debut in 1991 with the Jordan team. Soon after, he joined Benetton and won his first Formula One race in 1992. He won his first two World Championships with Benetton in 1994 and 1995.
In 1996, Schumacher moved to Ferrari, a team that had not won a championship in many years. He worked hard to build the team and led them to incredible success. He won five consecutive World Drivers' Championships with Ferrari from 2000 to 2004. This made him the most successful driver in Formula One history at the time. After retiring in 2006, he returned to Formula One with Mercedes from 2010 to 2012. He helped the Mercedes team become a championship-winning force.
Schumacher was known for his amazing driving skills and his dedication to fitness. He was also great at motivating his team. In December 2013, he had a serious traumatic brain injury in a skiing accident. He has been recovering privately since then.
Contents
Early Life and Racing Start
Michael Schumacher was born in Hürth, West Germany, on 3 January 1969. His father, Rolf, was a bricklayer who later managed a local kart track. His mother, Elisabeth, ran the track's canteen.
Karting Adventures
When Michael was four, his dad put a small motorcycle engine on his pedal kart. After a small crash, his parents took him to the karting track in Kerpen-Horrem. He became the youngest member of the karting club. His father built him a kart from old parts. At age six, Michael won his first club championship. To help with racing costs, his father took a second job. Local business people also helped Michael continue racing.
In Germany, drivers needed to be 14 to get a kart license. So, Michael got his license in Luxembourg when he was 12. In 1983, he got his German license, a year after winning the German Junior Kart Championship. By 1987, he was the German and European kart champion. He even returned to karting in 1996 after winning his second Formula One title. He won the Monaco Kart Cup and the Masters of Paris-Bercy.
Moving Up to Car Racing
In 1988, Michael started racing single-seat cars. He competed in the German Formula Ford and Formula König series, winning the Formula König championship. In 1989, he joined Willi Weber's WTS Formula Three team. He won the 1990 German Formula Three Championship. He also won the 1990 Macau Grand Prix, a very important race.
In 1990, Schumacher joined the Mercedes-Benz junior racing program. This was unusual because most young drivers went to Formula 3000 before Formula One. But his manager thought it would help him learn about professional racing. In the 1990 World Sportscar Championship, he won a race with a Sauber–Mercedes C11. He continued with the team in 1991, winning another race in Japan. He also raced in the 1991 24 Hours of Le Mans, finishing fifth.
Formula One Career Highlights
Jordan Team Debut (1991)
Michael Schumacher made his Formula One debut with the Jordan team at the 1991 Belgian Grand Prix. He replaced another driver who was unable to race. Schumacher impressed everyone by qualifying seventh in a car that wasn't usually that fast. He even outqualified his experienced teammate. Sadly, he had to retire from the race on the first lap due to a clutch problem.
Benetton Team Success (1991–1995)
After his impressive debut, Schumacher joined the Benetton team for the rest of the 1991 season. He quickly scored points, finishing fifth in his second race. He often outqualified his teammate, three-time World Champion Nelson Piquet.
First Wins and Podiums (1991–1993)
In 1992, Schumacher achieved his first Formula One victory at the Belgian Grand Prix. This was a wet race at the Spa-Francorchamps circuit, which he later called his favorite track. He also earned several podium finishes that year, ending the season in third place overall. Many people, including Ayrton Senna, saw Schumacher as a rising star.
The 1993 season was dominated by the Williams team. Schumacher won one race, the 1993 Portuguese Grand Prix, and had nine podium finishes. He ended the season in fourth place.
Winning World Championships (1994–1995)
Schumacher won his first World Drivers' Championship in 1994 with Benetton. He won six of the first seven races. The 1994 season had some challenges, including questions about his car's design. At the 1994 British Grand Prix, he received a penalty for overtaking during a warm-up lap. He was later disqualified from the race and banned for two races. He was also disqualified from the 1994 Belgian Grand Prix due to a technical issue with his car.
These incidents made the championship battle very close. Schumacher went into the final race in Australia with a one-point lead. During the race, he had a collision with his rival, Damon Hill, which forced both drivers to retire. As a result, Schumacher won the championship. The race officials decided it was a racing accident.
In 1995, Schumacher successfully defended his title with Benetton. He won nine of the 17 races and helped Benetton win its first Constructors' Championship. This broke the long winning streaks of McLaren and Williams. He became the youngest two-time World Champion in Formula One history. The season included some exciting battles with Damon Hill.
Ferrari Team Era (1996–2006)
In 1996, Schumacher made a big move to Ferrari. Ferrari had not won a Drivers' Championship since 1979. Schumacher brought key people from Benetton, like designer Rory Byrne and technical director Ross Brawn, to Ferrari. The Ferrari cars were not very good at first, but Schumacher believed they could win.
Championship Challenges and Injury (1996–1999)
In 1996, Schumacher finished third in the Drivers' Championship. He helped Ferrari get second place in the Constructors' Championship. He won three races that year, which was more than Ferrari had won in the previous five years combined. His first win for Ferrari was at the 1996 Spanish Grand Prix in wet conditions, where he drove incredibly fast.
In 1997, Schumacher battled Jacques Villeneuve for the title. Schumacher won five races and led the championship going into the final race. At the 1997 European Grand Prix, he had a controversial collision with Villeneuve. Schumacher retired from the race, and Villeneuve went on to win the championship. Schumacher was later disqualified from the entire 1997 Drivers' Championship for his actions. He later admitted he made a mistake.
In 1998, Mika Häkkinen became Schumacher's main rival. Häkkinen won the first two races, but Schumacher fought back with six victories. At the 1998 Belgian Grand Prix, Schumacher was leading in heavy rain but collided with David Coulthard's car. This forced him to retire. Häkkinen won the championship in the final race.
In 1999, Schumacher helped Ferrari win the Constructors' Championship, their first since 1983. However, his chance at the Drivers' Championship ended when he broke his leg in a crash at the 1999 British Grand Prix. He missed six races but returned to help his teammate, Eddie Irvine, try to win the championship. Häkkinen ultimately won his second title.
Five Consecutive World Championships (2000–2004)
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In 2000, Schumacher won his third Drivers' Championship, and his first with Ferrari. This was Ferrari's first Drivers' title since 1979. He won the first three races and five of the first eight. The championship battle with Häkkinen was very close. Schumacher secured the title at the 2000 Japanese Grand Prix.
In 2001, Schumacher won his fourth Drivers' title. He won nine races and clinched the championship with four races still to go. He finished with 123 points, far ahead of second place. Highlights included his win at the 2001 Spanish Grand Prix and becoming the driver with the most career wins at the 2001 Belgian Grand Prix.
In 2002, Schumacher won his fifth Drivers' Championship, matching the record set by Juan Manuel Fangio. Ferrari won 15 out of 17 races. Schumacher won the title with six races left, which is still the earliest anyone has won the championship. He won 11 races and finished every race on the podium, a record that has not been matched. He finished with a record 144 points.
During the 2002 season, there was a controversial moment at the 2002 Austrian Grand Prix. His teammate, Rubens Barrichello, was leading but slowed down on the last lap to let Schumacher win. This was a team decision and made many fans upset. Schumacher later tried to return the favor in other races.
Schumacher broke Fangio's record in 2003, winning his sixth Drivers' Championship. It was a very close fight with Kimi Räikkönen and Juan Pablo Montoya. He secured the title at the final race in Japan.
In 2004, Schumacher won a record 12 of the first 13 races. He clinched his seventh Drivers' Championship at the 2004 Belgian Grand Prix. He finished the season with a record 148 points and 13 race wins. Between 2000 and 2004, Schumacher won five championships in a row, breaking another long-standing record.
Changes and First Retirement (2005–2006)
New rules in 2005, especially about tires, made it harder for Ferrari. Schumacher only won one race that year, the 2005 United States Grand Prix. This race was unusual because most teams withdrew due to tire safety concerns, leaving only six cars to race. He finished the season in third place.
The 2006 season was Schumacher's last with Ferrari. He had a strong season, winning seven races. At the 2006 San Marino Grand Prix, he broke Ayrton Senna's record for most pole positions. At the 2006 Monaco Grand Prix, he received a penalty for blocking the track during qualifying. He still managed to finish fifth.
After winning the 2006 Italian Grand Prix, Schumacher announced he would retire at the end of the season. He won his 91st and final career race at the 2006 Chinese Grand Prix. In his final race, the 2006 Brazilian Grand Prix, he started tenth but had a tire puncture early on. He drove an amazing comeback race, finishing fourth. His performance was widely praised.
Schumacher, along with Ross Brawn and others, was credited with transforming Ferrari into a dominant team. By the end of 2006, Schumacher held many Formula One records, including most championship titles (7), most wins (91), most podiums (155), and most fastest laps (77).
New Roles and Motorcycle Racing (2007–2009)
After his first retirement, Schumacher worked as an advisor for Ferrari. He also helped with their car development. In 2008, he competed in motorcycle racing in the IDM Superbike series, even finishing third in one race.
In 2009, Ferrari asked Schumacher to return to Formula One to replace an injured driver. However, he had to cancel his comeback because of a neck injury from a motorcycle accident earlier that year. He described this as his "toughest moment."
Mercedes Team Comeback (2010–2012)
In December 2009, Schumacher announced his return to Formula One with the new Mercedes GP team. He joined fellow German driver Nico Rosberg. This was Mercedes's first time as a full constructor team since 1955. Schumacher was excited to work with Ross Brawn again, who had been key to his Ferrari success. He signed a three-year contract.
Return from Retirement (2010)
Schumacher finished sixth in his first race back at the 2010 Bahrain Grand Prix. He often finished behind his teammate Rosberg in the early races. Some people wondered if he was "past it," but others, like Damon Hill, said he should never be counted out.
At the 2010 Monaco Grand Prix, Schumacher received a penalty for overtaking under a safety car period, dropping him to 12th. At the 2010 Turkish Grand Prix, he had his best results since returning, finishing fourth. The season ended with Schumacher in ninth place overall. For the first time since 1991, he finished a year without a win, pole position, podium, or fastest lap.
Final Podium and Second Retirement (2011–2012)
In 2011, Schumacher scored his first points of the season at the 2011 Malaysian Grand Prix. He later finished fourth at the 2011 Canadian Grand Prix, which was seen as his strongest performance since his comeback. At the 2011 Japanese Grand Prix, he led a race for the first time since 2006, becoming the oldest driver to lead a race since 1970. He finished the season in eighth place.
In 2012, Schumacher qualified fastest at the 2012 Monaco Grand Prix, his first pole position since 2006. However, a penalty meant he started sixth. At the 2012 European Grand Prix, he finished third, which was his only podium finish since returning to Formula One. At 43 years old, he became the oldest driver to achieve a podium since 1970.
Schumacher's future plans led to Lewis Hamilton replacing him at Mercedes for the 2013 season. In October 2012, Schumacher announced he would retire for a second time. His final race was the 2012 Brazilian Grand Prix, where he finished seventh. He ended his career with 91 wins, 155 podiums, and 68 pole positions, all records at the time.
Even though his comeback years were challenging, many believe Schumacher's contribution to Mercedes was very important. Ross Brawn said that Schumacher's work helped the team become championship winners later on.
Driver Profile and Legacy
Driver Profile
Schumacher was known for his incredible speed and race skills. He could push his car to its limits for long periods. He was also famous for his strong work ethic and fitness. He trained for hours every day to strengthen his neck muscles, which helped him handle the high G-forces during races.
Experts noted that Schumacher was very sensitive with the gas and brakes. He often braked later into corners and used both pedals at the same time to balance his car. He was also excellent in wet conditions, earning him nicknames like Regenkönig ("Rain King") or Regenmeister ("Rain Master"). He was also called "the Red Baron" because of his red Ferrari cars.
Schumacher beat almost all his teammates during his career. He often performed better than his cars were expected to. He won many races even when he didn't start from pole position. His strong desire to win sometimes led to controversial moments, but these were seen as part of his competitive spirit. In 2006, he was voted the most popular driver among Formula One fans.
Helmet Design Evolution
Schumacher helped create the first lightweight carbon fiber helmet. This helmet was very strong and kept the driver cool. His original helmet had the colors of the German flag.
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Helmet for the 1994 season (Benetton).
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Bell helmet for the 1995 season (Benetton). He used this white helmet even after joining Ferrari in 1996.
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Schuberth helmet for the 2002 season (Ferrari). He switched to this helmet brand in 2001.
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Schuberth helmet for the 2011 season (Mercedes GP). It included a Chinese dragon and a Chinese character for "power."
Lasting Legacy in Formula One
Schumacher's career had a huge impact on Formula One and motorsport. In 2020, he was voted the most influential person in Formula One history. He helped make Formula One popular around the world, especially in Germany. Many younger German drivers, like Sebastian Vettel, were inspired by him.
By the time he first retired in 2006, Schumacher was considered one of the greatest Formula One drivers ever. Many experts and drivers, including Niki Lauda and Sebastian Vettel, have called him the greatest of all time. He holds many Formula One records, including:
- Most World Championship titles: 7
- Most consecutive titles: 5 (2000–2004)
- Most races left in the season when becoming World Champion: 6 (in 2002)
- Most consecutive seasons with a win: 15 (1992–2006)
- Most wins not starting from pole position: 51
- Most fastest laps: 77
- Most hat-tricks (pole, win, and fastest lap): 22
- Highest percentage of podium finishes in a season: 100% (in 2002)
He also holds records for most starts with the same team (Ferrari, 180) and most 1-2 finishes with a teammate (24 with Rubens Barrichello). He set the record for the fastest average speed in a race at the 2003 Italian Grand Prix.
Personal Life and Interests
In August 1995, Michael Schumacher married Corinna Betsch. They have two children: a daughter, Gina-Maria (born 1997), and a son, Mick (born 1999). Schumacher has always kept his private life very private. The family moved to a mansion in Gland, Switzerland, in 2007. Michael and Corinna own horse ranches in Texas and Switzerland. His younger brother Ralf, his son Mick, and his nephew David are also racing drivers.
Before his skiing accident, Schumacher enjoyed horse riding, motorcycle racing, sky diving, and playing football for his local team. He often played in charity football games. He supports the German football club 1. FC Köln.
Schumacher also appeared in some movies. He had a voice role as a Ferrari car in the Disney/Pixar film Cars. He also had a small role as a chariot driver in the French film Asterix at the Olympic Games. A documentary film about him, called Schumacher, was released in 2021.
Financial Success and Giving Back
Michael Schumacher was one of the highest-paid athletes in the world. A lot of his money came from advertising deals. In 2005, he was even called the world's first billionaire athlete by one magazine.
Schumacher was a special ambassador for UNESCO and donated a lot of money to the organization. He helped build a school for children in Senegal and supported a hospital for child victims in Sarajevo. He also funded a center in Peru to help homeless children. He donated millions of dollars to various charities, including $10 million after the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake. He also supported road safety campaigns.
2013 Skiing Accident
On 29 December 2013, Michael Schumacher was skiing with his son Mick in the French Alps. He fell and hit his head on a rock. Even though he was wearing a ski helmet, he suffered a serious head injury. Doctors said the helmet likely saved his life. He was taken to a hospital and placed in a medically induced coma.
In June 2014, he left the hospital for further rehabilitation in Switzerland. In September 2014, he was brought home for private treatment. His family has kept his condition very private since the accident. In 2019, former Ferrari manager Jean Todt said that Schumacher was making "good progress" but still "struggles to communicate." He also mentioned that Schumacher could watch Formula One races at home.
Honours and Achievements
Michael Schumacher has received many awards and honours throughout his life.
- In 1992, he won the ONS Cup, Germany's highest motorsport award.
- He was voted European Sportsperson of the Year several times.
- In 1995 and 2004, he was named German Sportspersonality of the Year.
- He received Germany's highest sporting award, the Silbernes Lorbeerblatt, in 1997.
- In 2002, he was named a UNESCO Champion for Sport for his contributions to sports and child education.
- He won the Laureus World Sportsman of the Year award twice.
- In 2006, he received an FIA Gold Medal for Motor Sport.
- He was given a "Lifetime Achievement Award" by football legend Pelé in 2006.
- In 2007, he received the Prince of Asturias Award for Sport.
- He won the Race of Champions Nations' Cup six times for Germany with Sebastian Vettel.
- In 2017, he was inducted into the FIA Hall of Fame.
- The Nürburgring circuit renamed turns 9 and 10 as the Schumacher S in 2007.
- In 2014, the first corner of the Bahrain International Circuit was renamed in his honour.
Images for kids
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Schumacher's title-winning German Formula Three car from 1990.
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Schumacher (left) in 1991, the year he joined Formula One.
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Schumacher driving for Benetton at the 1992 Monaco Grand Prix. In 1992, he achieved the first of his 91 wins.
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Schumacher drove the Benetton B194 to his first World Championship in 1994.
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Schumacher driving for Benetton in 1995 at the 1995 British Grand Prix. That year, he won his second World Championship.
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Schumacher celebrates a second-place finish at the 1997 German Grand Prix in 1997.
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Schumacher battles with David Coulthard in 1998 at the 1998 British Grand Prix.
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Schumacher driving for Ferrari in 2001 at the 2001 Spanish Grand Prix.
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Schumacher driving the Ferrari F2002 at the 2002 French Grand Prix.
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Schumacher at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in 2004, where he won the 2004 United States Grand Prix.
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Schumacher battling with Kimi Räikkönen in 2005 during the 2005 Canadian Grand Prix.
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Schumacher overtakes Kimi Räikkönen for fourth with three laps to go of the 2006 Brazilian Grand Prix.
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BMW Sauber with "Thanks Michael" messages towards Schumacher on the back of their cars.
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Schumacher at Finali Mondiali celebrations in the Ferrari F2007.
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In 2011, Schumacher finished fourth in the 2011 Canadian Grand Prix. It was his best result for the season.
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In 2012, Schumacher qualified fastest at the 2012 Monaco Grand Prix, for the first time since 2006.
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Schumacher at the 2012 United States Grand Prix in 2012. It was his second-to-last career race.
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Schumacher in 2010, the year he made his comeback at 40.
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Schumacher in 2007, the year after he first retired.
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Schumacher was an advertising partner for watchmaker Omega SA.
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See also
In Spanish: Michael Schumacher para niños
- 15761 Schumi
- Formula One drivers from Germany
- Häkkinen–Schumacher rivalry
- Hill–Schumacher rivalry
- List of career achievements by Michael Schumacher
- Schumacher
