"I don't have the kind of confidence you may think I have": When Michael Schumacher dispelled the notions many had of him

Michael Schumacher, who initially gained prominence over his intense competitiveness, once revealed that his self-confidence is not as strong as people think. In fact, the former legend claimed that he often doubts himself during failures.

Schumacher made his F1 debut with Jordan in 1991. What started as a promising journey turned into a historic career as the German driver set a new precedent in motorsports. He won two championships with Benetton and five consecutive titles with Ferrari to become the joint record holder of the most title wins in F1.

The 56-year-old often came across as a fierce and confident personality. His driving style was bold and unapologetic. While Schumacher faced criticism over some controversial crashes in his career, the legend never compromised on traits that fueled his passion for racing.

One thing Michael Schumacher was often known for was profound self-confidence. In 1999, Damon Hill interviewed the German racer after the Suzuka race and quizzed him about the secrets behind his self-belief. In reply, the seven-time world champion said (via Ferrari Owners Club):

"I don't have the kind of confidence you may think I have. Not at all. Actually, I question myself very often. When things don't go well, I always question myself first. And I try very hard—I will never give up trying. So, personally, I don't believe I have as much self-belief as people think from the outside. But then in relation to my competitors, I don't know. I can't know what their level of self-belief is. I can't say that," Schumacher said.

Michael Schumacher's fierce pace and intense passion made him one of the most popular and successful drivers in F1. Though he got sidelined from the public eye after the tragic accident, he continues to remain one of the key role models for the next generation in this modern era.

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Michael Schumacher opened up on keeping his emotions in check

Michael Schumacher (Image Source: Getty)

Michael Schumacher rarely showed emotions while racing. Barring a couple of furious outbursts, the German driver was mostly focused during his racing days. In the same interview with Damon Hill, the seven-time champion revealed how he keeps his emotions in check.

"I'm a very stable person. I don't have many ups or downs. I'm fairly stable. That's why my emotions are not often seen as that dramatic. And it really takes a lot to make that happen," Schumacher said.

The vision Schumacher had in 1999 was to win a championship for Ferrari. However, the German native went on to achieve five trophies in a row, setting a new bar for the next generation.

While many generations may come and go, Michael Schumacher will always have a special space in F1's history books and will be remembered as one of the greatest racing drivers.