Ferrari and their ace are back in the race, with barely a scratch on their crimson exterior. An interview with Schumacher.
If there were a world record for most number of ‘most’ records in any game, you would be hard put to keep one German off the top of the podium. In Formula One, of course, there is no contest.
Fernando Alonso is no longer breathing down his neck — the fumes are in Schumi’s face now — but the Spaniard is still a zillion laps away from achieving his rival’s legendary status.
After the disastrous 2005 season, and the early hiccups of 2006, Ferrari and their ace are back in the race, with barely a scratch on their crimson exterior. So, how does Michael Schumacher, at age 37 and after 15 years in F1, keep going?
The secret, he tells DNA’s Mikhil Bhat in this exclusive interview, is all in the mind...
Quite a few Germans have raced in F1, but you have managed to outshine others. Do the others lack something or do you have something extra?
Well, let’s put it like this: at the moment, there are four German drivers around. That is, by far, not bad — other traditional racing countries struggle to have one on the grid.
There have been inevitable comparisons with Ayrton Senna. Have you ever given it a thought?
My conclusion is, and has always been, that you cannot compare those things. Different times, different driver-fields, different needs, different cars, different risks. Not possible. To me, those comparisons were never a topic.
You are 37. Obviously, Formula One is physically demanding. What is your fitness regime like? Also, you are known for your mental toughness and cool mind, which are evident in your racing. What do you do to achieve that?
I am happy. I naturally possess a big ability to concentrate. My wife sometimes complains that when she tells me something, as I may be reading something, I don’t even hear her.
I can close down very easily. But I also believe that to have mental fitness you firstly need physical fitness. Only if you are really fit you do not need to concentrate on your body when doing sports and have some mental capacity left. nnnp18
What has made the difference to Ferrari’s fortunes this season and how much of it is related to your personal attitude?
Even if it may not look too obvious, there is a huge difference to the car of last year. Our new car is developed and improved in all areas, and all those steps have been very much steps forward. Last year, we often were not competitive at all. This year we have proved to be in the fight. That is a massive improvement, and I am extremely proud we could manage it.
Talk about your future is doing the rounds. Some say you will quit Ferrari, some say you will continue. There was even talk that you will start a new team with Ross Brawn. Could you throw some light on all that?
No, and I don’t want to, to be honest. It would only create new stories and new rumours. Once it happens, it will happen. Let’s just wait and see.
The last time you faced real competition prior to 2005 was from Mika Hakkinen. Then came Fernando Alonso. You have seen him from close quarters. What is special about the Spaniard?
He is a very good racing driver, that’s for sure. I have often said that. Also, Kimi (Raikkonen) is very good. Maybe Fernando gets everything together better than his other competitors at the moment, I don’t know.
Finally, something on Michael Schumacher off the track?
You know, in the end I am only one and there are so many people around, how can they all get to know me? I don’t see a way, and of course I also try to have some privacy for me and my family.
That’s why, some years ago, we did this book on me, to show people a bit more from my other self. But in general I find it hard to describe myself as I think this is something other people should do. I would just say I am a very balanced person with a wonderful family - so, in the end, a very lucky guy.
Record stats
86 race wins
7 titles
5 successive titles
66 pole positions
In 2005, Forbes pegged Schumacher’s pay at $60 million. One notable deal, with the German investment counselling company Deutsche Vermögensberatung, pays him US$8 million over three years for wearing a four-inch advertisement on his post-race hat.
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