F1: 5 Best races of Michael Schumacher

Let us take a look at some of the best races of Michael Schumacher. Riding with the wind whistling beyond you, Formula 1 drivers have always had an enigmatic presence in the sport as they showed commitment and pace. They make the sport their own as fans gawk and applaud. With soaring temperatures in the cockpit and immense friction to deal with, these speed fanatics have to endure a lot of patience-riddling incidents to keep their calm and increase the competition on their rivals. There are drivers who do this purely based on their performances in the racing track, whereas there are some who make their mark through the various controversies embroiled in the media. But there is one who’s not a stranger to both these aspects. There is one who has been coveted by his fellow rival, David Coulthard, for being “the greatest all-around driver in Formula 1”. He is the man who, recently, battled out of a coma. He is the Red Baron – Michael Schumacher.

Schumi has rarely stepped out of the spotlight and has pushed himself to perfection every time on the track. Such was his competitive spirit that he even pushed the patience of the race stewards to the utmost limit by pulling off antics that many would consider as an aspect of “un-sportsmanship”. But these are just some qualities that make him to be remembered and revered for the entertainment that he provided with the sport – with controversies or pure class. Let’s concentrate on the latter as here are some of the top races of his career which have shaped his godly stature in the sport.

#5 San Marino Grand Prix, 2005

A close finish at the chequered flag, Alonso, and Schumacher

Although he didn’t finish at pole position for this race, it was surely a race for every Schumacher fan to remember as he shunned off every competition to reach the second place...starting from 13th. An incredible achievement, as he was overpowered by Jarno Trulli for most of the race before getting his A-Game on to get through a succession of drivers and challenging long-time race leader, Fernando Alonso, by being right on his tail till the end of the race. A remarkable race in the German legend’s career.

#4 Hungarian Grand Prix, 1998

The picture says it all - Michael Schumacher rejoices after his win

Schumacher started in 3rd place for this race and was deemed to remain there due to the difficulty that drivers have to face for overtaking their opponents in the Hungaroring, Hungarian GP. But a change to a three-stop strategy allowed him to procure fastest laps, before finishing the race by a margin of almost 10 seconds between him and David Coulthard. Much praise also went to Benetton’s Technical Director Ross Brawn for the tactical decisions that he took for Schumi to get this amazing finish.

#3 Japanese Grand Prix, 2000

Michael Schumacher en route to victory in Suzuka

Ferrari won their first driver’s title in Suzuka as Schumi finished a rain-swept race with some exquisite brilliance that only he could muster. The German had a poor start and didn’t have any answer to what his old-time rival and two-time world champion, Mika Hakkinen, was delivering. But as soon as the first drops of rain started coming on the track, a renewed confidence in Schumi’s driving was showing as he started increasing his pace to rake in the fastest lap before going into the pits for a brilliant 6 second pit stop to overtake Hakkinen’s Mclaren and, subsequently, win his third World Driver’s championship. He equaled the likes of Niki Lauda and Ayrton Senna.

#2 Belgian Grand Prix, 1995

A dejected Damon Hill standing beside an overjoyed Michael Schumacher

The event was marked by intense competition between Damon Hill and Schumacher. The long-time rivals had a topsy-turvy battle in the wet-dry track, as their respective team strategies proved to be major contributions for the final result. But the primary decisive factor was the defensive strategy that Schumi adopted to not let Hill pass, even on the high-speed corners. Hill was obviously disappointed by it, but Schumi went on record to say that the pace in which Hill and him were going, he deemed it acceptable. But the FIA didn’t, as it handed a one race suspension to him for his antics. Though frowned upon, the wily Schumacher was at his best here, exuding pressure onto his rivals.

#1 Spanish Grand Prix, 1996

Schumacher steamboat in Spain

On a day where cars were running like steamboats on the track, a genuine race was not what the spectators would have expected to see. But they sure did get their money’s worth as the race was filled with some mind-boggling driving by Michael Schumacher as he recovered from a poor start to lap 2 seconds faster than the drivers in front of him, Villeneuve and Alesi, on the 5th lap. The genius that he is, he was making up for the deficiencies of Ferrari in handling such conditions and finally got his reward in lap 13 as he overtook Villeneuve to get the top spot. From thereon, he reigned a stronghold over the race as he clocked at least three seconds faster than anybody on the track. An epic race which earned him the title “Rainmaster”.