Michael Schumacher's legacy remains undiminished

There’s no way to view Schumacher’s return to F1 as a failure and a complete disaster that overwrote his colourful legacy. F1 fans and highly respected commentators of the 90s will tell you why he’s one of the best in F1 even until date. And also why the assertion that his years at Mercedes have tarnished his legacy, is ridiculous.

Schumacher started his second career with the confidence and self-belief that he could challenge and race the younger generation of today.

And for that very move, fans already deemed him great – fans of today, fans of yesterday. His exceptional pole lap in Monaco, one of the most demanding tracks in the world and most challenging one which needs great skills rather than a great car, reconfirmed his status as a skillful 7-time world champion, with 91 victories entitled to his name.

Ferrari at that time was a very rich team, with enough finances to make the best car on the grid and give their drivers a good chance to chase the title.

But that didn’t make a good enough excuse to doubt Schumacher’s 5 consecutive world championships. Right from the dominant wet weather victory at Spain in 1996, to his nail biting fight back from the back in 1998 at the Hungarian Grand Prix. Or to the hair plucking on track battles with Mika Hakkinen in 2000.

And you probably didn’t know that even today, there’s a bigger fan base for Schumacher at the Nurburgring than for the current home hero, Sebastian Vettel. The only reason for fans to remember him is because of the impression he has left before his 2nd retirement.

Michael Schumacher

Schumacher’s official retirement announcement at Suzuka 2012 was followed by a roar of applause from the gathered media. And throughout the speech, Schumacher stumbled upon words the confirmed his motorsport career’s end, showing us just how much his years, the good and the bad in F1 meant to him.

As they say, the first impression is the best impression. And I’d say, Schumacher has made a good one which can last an eternity.