Editing Michael Schumacher (section)

====2000–2004: Five consecutive World Championships====
[[File:Michael Schumacher, Ferrari F2001 (8968595731) (cropped).jpg|thumb|Schumacher driving for Ferrari in 2001 at the {{F1 GP|2001|Spanish}}. The year prior, he had won Ferrari's first Drivers' Championship since 1979.]]
In {{F1|2000}}, Schumacher won his third Drivers' Championship, his first with Ferrari, after a year-long battle with Häkkinen. Schumacher won the first three races of the season and five of the first eight. Midway through the year, Schumacher's chances suffered with three consecutive non-finishes, allowing Häkkinen to close the gap in the standings.<ref>{{Cite web|title=2000 F1 World Championship {{!}} Motorsport Database|url=https://www.motorsportmagazine.com/database/championships/2000-f1-world-championship/|access-date=9 February 2024|website=Motor Sport|archive-date=28 June 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240628023342/https://www.motorsportmagazine.com/database/championships/2000-f1-world-championship/|url-status=live}}</ref> At the {{F1 GP|2000|German}} qualifying session, which was largely decided in the opening 10 minutes of semi-dry weather, Schumacher was able to improve his time in the final seconds and qualified second. In the race, he retired after crashing out at the start, as his new teammate [[Rubens Barrichello]] took his maiden win from 18th.<ref name="Gibson 2016"/> Häkkinen then took another two victories, before Schumacher won at the {{F1 GP|2000|Italian}}, his 41st career win.<ref name="Gibson 2016"/> At the post-race press conference, after equalling the number of wins won by his idol Ayrton Senna, Schumacher broke into tears.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Benson|first=Andrew|date=21 April 2004|title=A death that shocked the world|publisher=BBC Sport|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/motorsport/formula_one/3605579.stm|access-date=21 April 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101124011903/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/motorsport/formula_one/3605579.stm|archive-date=24 November 2010}}</ref> The championship fight came down to the penultimate race of the season, the {{F1 GP|2000|Japanese}}. Starting from pole position, Schumacher lost the lead to Häkkinen at the start.<ref name="Gibson 2016"/> After his second pit stop, Schumacher came out ahead of Häkkinen and went on to win the race and the Drivers' Championship;<ref>{{Cite news|date=30 December 2013|title=Michael Schumacher's best races – Japanese Grand Prix 2000|publisher=BBC Sport|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/formula1/25549884|access-date=22 March 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181020204256/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/formula1/25549884|archive-date=20 October 2018}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Mackley|first=Stefan|date=8 July 2020|title=The day Schumacher ended Ferrari's 21-year wait for F1 glory|url=https://www.autosport.com/f1/news/the-day-schumacher-ended-ferraris-21-year-wait-for-f1-glory-4981356/4981356/|access-date=6 February 2024|website=Autosport|archive-date=6 February 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240206051339/https://www.autosport.com/f1/news/the-day-schumacher-ended-ferraris-21-year-wait-for-f1-glory-4981356/4981356/|url-status=live}}</ref> he later described it as the fight of his life.<ref>{{Cite web|date=26 May 2020|title=Race of my life: Michael Schumacher on the 2000 Japanese GP|url=https://www.autosport.com/f1/news/race-of-my-life-michael-schumacher-on-the-2000-japanese-gp-4982378/4982378/|access-date=6 February 2024|website=Autosport|archive-date=6 February 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240206051355/https://www.autosport.com/f1/news/race-of-my-life-michael-schumacher-on-the-2000-japanese-gp-4982378/4982378/|url-status=live}}</ref> Although Schumacher won more than twice as many Grands Prix as Häkkinen, [[BBC Sport]] journalist Andrew Benson stated that "the challenge from Mika Hakkinen and McLaren-Mercedes was far stronger than the raw statistics suggest" and that the [[Adrian Newey]]-designed McLaren was "the fastest car in F1 for the third straight year". Benson also hailed Schumacher as "unquestionably the greatest driver of his era".<ref>{{Cite web|last=Benson|first=Andrew|date=22 October 2000|title=Harder than it looked for Schumacher|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/motorsport/984828.stm|access-date=30 August 2021|publisher=BBC Sport|archive-date=30 August 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210830180404/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/motorsport/984828.stm}}</ref>

In {{F1|2001}}, Schumacher took his fourth Drivers' title. Four other drivers won races but none sustained a season-long challenge for the championship.<ref>{{Cite web|title=2001 F1 World Championship {{!}} Motorsport Database|url=https://www.motorsportmagazine.com/database/championships/2001-f1-world-championship/|access-date=9 February 2024|website=Motor Sport|archive-date=13 February 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240213100259/https://www.motorsportmagazine.com/database/championships/2001-f1-world-championship/|url-status=live}}</ref> Schumacher scored a record-tying nine wins and clinched the World Championship with four races yet to run. He finished the championship with 123 points, 58 ahead of runner-up Coulthard. Season highlights included the {{F1 GP|2001|Spanish}}, where he won after Häkkinen retired on the last lap due to his car's engine blowing up leading Schumacher to say he was sorry for him and that they had been "bloody lucky";<ref name="Gibson 2016"/> {{F1 GP|2001|Canadian}}, where Schumacher finished second to his brother [[Ralf Schumacher|Ralf]], thus scoring the first-ever 1–2 finish by brothers in Formula One;<ref>{{Cite web|title=Grand Prix du Canada – Statistiques|url=http://www.globetrotter.net/gt/grandprix/en/statistiques.asp|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070927002728/http://www.globetrotter.net/gt/grandprix/en/statistiques.asp|archive-date=27 September 2007|access-date=15 June 2007|publisher=Telus}}</ref> and the {{F1 GP|2001|Belgian}}, in which Schumacher scored his 52nd career win, breaking Alain Prost's record for most career wins that had stood since 1993.<ref>{{Cite news|date=2 September 2001|title=Send your tributes to Schumacher|publisher=BBC Sport|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/low/sports_talk/1520663.stm|access-date=3 February 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20021022201741/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/low/sports_talk/1520663.stm|archive-date=22 October 2002}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Collantine|first=Keith|date=14 January 2020|title=How Schumacher set a record 91 F1 wins – and Hamilton drew within striking distance|url=https://www.racefans.net/2020/01/14/how-schumacher-set-a-record-91-f1-wins-and-hamilton-drew-within-striking-distance/|access-date=9 February 2024|website=RaceFans|archive-date=24 July 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230724210455/https://www.racefans.net/2020/01/14/how-schumacher-set-a-record-91-f1-wins-and-hamilton-drew-within-striking-distance/|url-status=live}}</ref>

[[File:Mschumacher 2002.jpg|thumb|Schumacher driving the [[Ferrari F2002]] at the {{F1 GP|2002|French}}. It was at this race that he clinched the {{F1|2002}} Drivers' Championship, setting the record for the fewest races in locking up the title.]]
In {{F1|2002}}, Schumacher retained his Drivers' Championship. In winning the Drivers' Championship, he equalled the record set by [[Juan Manuel Fangio]] of five World Championships. Ferrari won 15 out of 17 races, and Schumacher won the title with six races remaining in the season, which is still the earliest point in the season for a driver to be crowned World Champion.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Molinaro|first=John C.|date=12 September 2006|title=Top 10 Michael Schumacher moments|work=[[CBC Sports]]|publisher=[[Canadian Broadcasting Corporation]]|url=http://www.cbc.ca/sports/indepth/10-schumacher-momments.html|access-date=6 January 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070103093347/http://www.cbc.ca/sports/indepth/10-schumacher-momments.html|archive-date=3 January 2007}}</ref> Schumacher broke his own record, shared with Nigel Mansell, of nine race wins in a season, by winning 11 times and finishing every race on the podium. He finished with 144 points, a record-breaking 67 points ahead of the runner-up, his teammate Barrichello. This pair finished nine of the 17 races in the first two places.<ref>{{Cite news|date=3 July 2017|title=2002 F1 World Championship {{!}} Motorsport Database|url=https://www.motorsportmagazine.com/database/championships/f1/2002-f1-world-championship|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180322143415/https://www.motorsportmagazine.com/database/championships/f1/2002-f1-world-championship|archive-date=22 March 2018|access-date=9 February 2024|work=Motor Sport}}</ref>

During the 2002 season, there was some controversy at the {{F1 GP|2002|Austrian}},<ref>{{Cite news|date=12 May 2002|title=Formula One: Ferrari team-mate hands Schumacher controversial victory|work=The Daily Telegraph|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/motorsport/formulaone/3027644/Formula-One-Ferrari-team-mate-hands-Schumacher-controversial-victory.html|access-date=13 February 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190508124120/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/motorsport/formulaone/3027644/Formula-One-Ferrari-team-mate-hands-Schumacher-controversial-victory.html|archive-date=8 May 2019|issn=0307-1235}}</ref> where Barrichello was leading but in the final metres of the race, under [[team orders]], slowed down to allow Schumacher to win the race.<ref name="BBC Sport 2002">{{Cite news|date=12 May 2002|title=Schumacher steals Austrian win|publisher=BBC Sport|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/motorsport/formula_one/1982612.stm|access-date=24 October 2006|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080515041413/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/motorsport/formula_one/1982612.stm|archive-date=15 May 2008}}</ref> Although the switching of positions did not break any actual sporting or technical regulation,<ref>{{Cite web|date=19 May 2002|title='Nothing Wrong' with Ferrari's Actions, Says Dennis|url=https://www.autosport.com/f1/news/nothing-wrong-with-ferraris-actions-says-dennis-5059889/5059889/|access-date=5 February 2024|website=Autosport|archive-date=5 February 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240205203135/https://www.autosport.com/f1/news/nothing-wrong-with-ferraris-actions-says-dennis-5059889/5059889/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Taylor|first=Simon|date=7 July 2014|title=Modern Times: Schumacher's Spielberg gift|url=https://www.motorsportmagazine.com/archive/article/july-2002/20/modern-times-6/|access-date=5 February 2024|website=Motor Sport|archive-date=28 June 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240628023253/https://www.motorsportmagazine.com/archive/article/july-2002/20/modern-times-6/|url-status=live}}</ref> as Ferrari did the same at the {{F1 GP|2001|Austrian}} the previous year where Schumacher finished second and Barrichello third,<ref>{{cite news|title=Schumacher ends jinx in controversial finish|url=https://www.dawn.com/news/33649/schumacher-ends-jinx-in-controversial-finish|newspaper=Dawn|location=Pakistan|date=12 May 2002|access-date=16 September 2019|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190916091632/https://www.dawn.com/news/33649/schumacher-ends-jinx-in-controversial-finish|archive-date=16 September 2019}}</ref> it angered fans and it was claimed that the team's actions showed a lack of sportsmanship and respect to the spectators. Many argued that Schumacher did not need to be given wins in only the sixth race of the season, which he would have won anyway, a view also shared by [[Jean Todt]] and Ross Brawn in retrospect,<ref>{{cite news|last=Mancini|first=Stefano|title=Todt: 'Ferrari tradita dai nervi Sembrava impossibile perdere'|url=https://www.lastampa.it/sport/motori/2010/11/18/news/todt-ferrari-tradita-dai-nervi-br-sembrava-impossibile-perdere-1.36992867|work=La Stampa|language=it|date=18 November 2010|access-date=16 September 2019|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190916182037/https://www.lastampa.it/sport/motori/2010/11/18/news/todt-ferrari-tradita-dai-nervi-br-sembrava-impossibile-perdere-1.36992867|archive-date=16 September 2019}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.gptoday.net/en/news/f1/221987/austria-gp-2002-decision-was-a-mistake-brawn|title=Austria GP 2002 decision was a mistake – Brawn|last=Walsh|first=Fergal|date=6 February 2017|website=GPToday.net|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190918081155/https://www.gptoday.net/en/news/f1/221987/austria-gp-2002-decision-was-a-mistake-brawn|archive-date=18 September 2019|access-date=18 September 2019}}</ref> particularly given that he had already won four of the previous five Grands Prix, and that Barrichello had dominated the race weekend up to that point. At the podium ceremony, Schumacher pushed Barrichello onto the top step,<ref name="BBC Sport 2002"/> and the Ferrari team incurred a $1 million fine for this disturbance.<ref>{{Cite news|date=19 September 2006|title=Record fine for Turks|agency=Reuters|website=Eurosport|url=https://www.eurosport.com/formula-1/record-fine-for-turks_sto967344/story.shtml|access-date=3 June 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171123121603/http://www.eurosport.com/formula-1/record-fine-for-turks_sto967344/story.shtml|archive-date=23 November 2017}}</ref> Schumacher vowed to pay back Barrichello, and later that same year returned the favour in several races to help him finish second in the standings.<ref>{{cite web|date=13 May 2002|title=Schumacher Vows to Pay Back Barrichello|url=https://www.autosport.com/f1/news/schumacher-vows-to-pay-back-barrichello-5059832/5059832/|access-date=8 February 2024|website=Autosport|archive-date=8 February 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240208040006/https://www.autosport.com/f1/news/schumacher-vows-to-pay-back-barrichello-5059832/5059832/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Baldwin|first=Alan|date=26 June 2002|title=Ferrari Fined $1 Million over Austrian GP Incident|url=https://www.autosport.com/f1/news/ferrari-fined-1-million-over-austrian-gp-incident-5060279/5060279/|access-date=5 February 2024|website=Autosport|archive-date=5 February 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240205003326/https://www.autosport.com/f1/news/ferrari-fined-1-million-over-austrian-gp-incident-5060279/5060279/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Hughes|first=Mark|date=16 December 2014|title=Brawn's F1 journey: 'Schumacher and I were in the trenches together'|url=https://www.motorsportmagazine.com/archive/article/may-2014/30/michael-and-i-had-been-trenches-together/|access-date=8 February 2024|website=Motor Sport|archive-date=28 June 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240628023207/https://www.motorsportmagazine.com/archive/article/may-2014/30/michael-and-i-had-been-trenches-together/|url-status=live}}</ref> At the {{F1 GP|2002|United States}}, Schumacher returned the favour,<ref>{{cite web|date=29 September 2002|title=US GP 2002 – Schumacher repays Barrichello favour|url=http://www.crash.net/f1/racereports_others.asp?feature_id=2323&language_id=1&championship_id=1|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030428224909/http://www.crash.net/f1/racereports_others.asp?feature_id=2323&language_id=1&championship_id=1|archive-date=28 April 2003|access-date=10 December 2023|work=Crash}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Cavin|first=Curt|date=30 September 2002|title=Classic payback: Schumacher hands USGP victory to Barrichello|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-indianapolis-star/79126105/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231213082616/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-indianapolis-star/79126105/|archive-date=13 December 2023|access-date=12 December 2023|work=The Indianapolis Star|pages=R1, [https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-indianapolis-star-2002-usgp-report/136687107/ R5]|via=Newspapers.com {{open access}}}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Gordon|first=Ian|date=30 September 2002|title=Schu hands victory to Barrichello|url=https://www.irishexaminer.com/sport/arid-10089805.html|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231211091033/https://www.irishexaminer.com/sport/arid-10089805.html|archive-date=11 December 2023|access-date=11 December 2023|work=Irish Examiner}}</ref> by giving Barrichello the win by 0.011 seconds,<ref>{{cite news|last=Baldwin|first=Alan|date=29 September 2002|title=We Tried to Finish Equal, Says Schumacher|url=https://www.atlasf1.com/news/2002/sep/report.php/id/8712/.html|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050127082744/http://www.atlasf1.com/news/2002/sep/report.php/id/8712/.html|archive-date=27 January 2005|access-date=11 December 2023|work=Atlas F1|agency=Reuters}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Gray|first=Will|date=30 September 2002|title=Paddock Consensus: Schumacher Made a Mistake|url=https://www.atlasf1.com/news/2002/sep/report.php/id/8724/.html|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050129185709/http://www.atlasf1.com/news/2002/sep/report.php/id/8724/.html|archive-date=29 January 2005|access-date=12 December 2023|work=Atlas F1}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=10 October 2002|title=Barrichello: I was confused too|url=https://www.autosport.com/f1/news/barrichello-i-was-confused-too-5036217/5036217/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210728104132/https://www.autosport.com/f1/news/barrichello-i-was-confused-too-5036217/5036217/|archive-date=28 July 2021|access-date=12 December 2023|website=Autosport}}</ref> the second-closest margin on the finishing line in Formula One history in a failed [[dead heat]] finish.<ref>{{Cite news|date=3 September 2005|orig-date=30 September 2002|title=Schumacher slows, and Barrichello wins|url=https://www.tampabay.com/archive/2002/09/30/schumacher-slows-and-barrichello-wins/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231211091032/https://www.tampabay.com/archive/2002/09/30/schumacher-slows-and-barrichello-wins/|archive-date=11 December 2023|access-date=11 December 2023|work=Tampa Bay Times}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Brudenell|first=Mike|date=30 September 2002|title=U.S. Grand Prix nearly a dead heat|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/detroit-free-press-us-grand-prix-nearl/136802845/|access-date=14 December 2023|work=Detroit Free Press|via=Newspapers.com {{open access}}|archive-date=14 December 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231214163900/https://www.newspapers.com/article/detroit-free-press-us-grand-prix-nearl/136802845/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Cavin|first=Curt|date=1 October 2002|title=Speedway chief OK with finish|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-indianapolis-star-speedway-chief-ok/136688417/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231213082619/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-indianapolis-star-speedway-chief-ok/136688417/|archive-date=13 December 2023|access-date=12 December 2023|work=The Indianapolis Star|page=D1, [https://www.newspapers.com/the-indianapolis-star-speedway-chief-ok/136688429/ D3]|via=Newspapers.com {{open access}}}}</ref> In an unplanned finish,<ref>{{cite web|date=30 September 2002|title='Unplanned' Ferrari finish backfires at US GP|url=http://en.espn.co.uk/onthisday/motorsport/story/2502.html|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161103041338/http://en.espn.co.uk/onthisday/motorsport/story/2502.html|archive-date=3 November 2016|access-date=11 December 2023|publisher=ESPN}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|last=Collings|first=Timothy|date=1 October 2002|title=Ferrari's tactics defended by Todt|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-daily-telegraph-ferraris-tactics-de/136739012/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231213082620/https://wikipedialibrary.wmflabs.org/?next_url=/ezproxy/r/ezp.2aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubmV3c3BhcGVycy5jb20vYXJ0aWNsZS90aGUtZGFpbHktdGVsZWdyYXBoLWZlcnJhcmlzLXRhY3RpY3MtZGUvMTM2NzM5MDEyLw--|archive-date=13 December 2023|access-date=13 December 2023|work=The Daily Telegraph|page=S8|via=Newspapers.com {{open access}}}}</ref> Schumacher's explanation varied between it being him "returning the favour" for Austria, or trying to engineer a [[formation finish]]—a feat derided as near-impossible in a sport where timings are taken to within a thousandth of a second.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Legard|first=Jonathan|author-link=Jonathan Legard|date=30 September 2002|title=Ferrari's own goal|publisher=BBC Sport|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/motorsport/formula_one/2287699.stm|access-date=28 February 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040721052832/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/motorsport/formula_one/2287699.stm|archive-date=21 July 2004}}</ref> After the end of the season, the FIA banned "team orders which interfere with the race result";<ref>{{Cite news|last=Wade|first=Stephen|date=28 October 2002|title=Formula One closes door on team orders|work=USA Today|url=https://www.usatoday.com/sports/motor/formula1/2002-10-28-changes_x.htm|access-date=28 October 2006|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080523100138/http://www.usatoday.com/sports/motor/formula1/2002-10-28-changes_x.htm|archive-date=23 May 2008}}</ref><ref>{{Cite press release|title=F1 Commission declaration|date=28 October 2002|publisher=Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile|url=http://www.fia.com/gate?action=retrievePage&locale=en_GB&PageID=331368089&printer=on|access-date=30 October 2006|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070326115324/http://www.fia.com/gate?action=retrievePage&locale=en_GB&PageID=331368089&printer=on|archive-date=26 March 2007}}</ref> the ban was lifted for the 2011 season because the ruling was difficult to enforce.<ref>{{Cite news|date=10 December 2010|title=F1 chiefs drop the ban on team orders in new rules|publisher=BBC Sport|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/motorsport/formula_one/9275796.stm|access-date=27 January 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201107060139/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/motorsport/formula_one/9275796.stm|archive-date=7 November 2020}}</ref>

[[File:Michael Schumacher Ferrari 2004.jpg|thumb|left|Schumacher at the [[Indianapolis Motor Speedway]] in 2004, where he won the {{F1 GP|2004|United States}}. 2004 would be the last of his seven Drivers' Championships (a record shared with [[Lewis Hamilton]] since 2020), five of which were won consecutively from 2000 to 2004.]]
Schumacher broke Fangio's 46-year record of five Drivers' Championships by winning the drivers' title for the sixth time in {{F1|2003}}, after a closely contested battle with his main rivals, which was also a result of lobbying regarding the Michelin tyres.<ref name="Gibson 2016"/> Before the season started, the FIA introduced new regulations and a new [[List of Formula One World Championship points scoring systems|points system]] to make the championship more open.<ref>{{Cite web|title=2003 Record World Champion|url=https://michael-schumacher.de/en/saison/2003/|access-date=30 August 2021|website=michael-schumacher.de|archive-date=30 August 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210830180404/https://michael-schumacher.de/en/saison/2003/}}</ref> The biggest competition came from the McLaren-Mercedes and Williams-[[BMW]] teams. In the first race, Schumacher was run off track, and he was involved in collisions in the following two.<ref>{{Cite news|date=9 March 2003|title=Coulthard takes Melbourne thriller|publisher=BBC Sport|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/motorsport/formula_one/2832441.stm|access-date=3 November 2006|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040628044916/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/motorsport/formula_one/2832441.stm|archive-date=28 June 2004}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|date=23 March 2003|title=Raikkonen claims maiden win|publisher=BBC Sport|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/motorsport/formula_one/2877461.stm|access-date=3 November 2006|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040615040716/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/motorsport/formula_one/2877461.stm|archive-date=15 June 2004}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|date=6 April 2003|title=Raikkonen wins chaotic race|publisher=BBC Sport|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/motorsport/formula_one/2922651.stm|access-date=3 November 2006|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040426171710/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/motorsport/formula_one/2922651.stm|archive-date=26 April 2004}}</ref> He fell 16 points behind McLaren's [[Kimi Räikkönen]].<ref>{{Cite news|date=23 March 2003|title=Raikkonen leads F1 standings after maiden win|url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2003-03-23/raikkonen-leads-f1-standings-after-maiden-win/1822662|access-date=6 February 2024|publisher=ABC News|location=Australia|archive-date=6 February 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240206051339/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2003-03-23/raikkonen-leads-f1-standings-after-maiden-win/1822662|url-status=live}}</ref> Despite the death of his mother Elisabeth just hours before the race,<ref>{{Cite web|last=Williams|first=Richard|date=21 April 2003|title=Schumacher mourns mother on winner's podium|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2003/apr/21/germany.formulaone|access-date=1 September 2021|website=The Telegraph|archive-date=8 October 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221008150605/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2003/apr/21/germany.formulaone}}</ref> Schumacher won the {{F1 GP|2003|San Marino}} despite losing the first position going into turn one.<ref name="Gibson 2016"/> He also won the next two races and closed within two points of Räikkönen. Aside from Schumacher's victory at the {{F1 GP|2003|Canadian}} and Barrichello's victory at the {{F1 GP|2003|British}}, the mid-season was dominated by Williams drivers Ralf Schumacher and [[Juan Pablo Montoya]], who each claimed two victories. After the {{F1 GP|2003|Hungarian}}, Schumacher led Montoya and Räikkönen by only one and two points, respectively. Ahead of the next race, the FIA announced changes to the way tyre widths were to be measured: this forced [[Michelin]], supplier to Williams and McLaren among others, to rapidly redesign their tyres before the {{F1 GP|2003|Italian}}.<ref>{{Cite news|date=9 September 2006|title=FIA stands by tyre rulings|publisher=BBC Sport|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/motorsport/formula_one/3092598.stm|access-date=25 April 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040302044710/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/motorsport/formula_one/3092598.stm|archive-date=2 March 2004}}</ref> Schumacher, running on [[Bridgestone]] tyres, won the next two races. After Montoya was penalised in the {{F1 GP|2003|United States}}, only Schumacher and Räikkönen remained in contention for the title. At the final round, the {{F1 GP|2003|Japanese}}, Schumacher needed only one point whilst Räikkönen needed to win. By finishing the race in eighth place, Schumacher took one point and assured his sixth Drivers' title, ending the season two points ahead of Räikkönen.<ref>{{Cite news|date=3 July 2017|title=2003 F1 World Championship {{!}} Motorsport Database|url=https://www.motorsportmagazine.com/database/championships/f1/2003-f1-world-championship|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180322143735/https://www.motorsportmagazine.com/database/championships/f1/2003-f1-world-championship|archive-date=22 March 2018|access-date=9 February 2024|work=Motor Sport}}</ref>

In {{F1|2004}}, Schumacher won a record 12 of the first 13 races of the season,<ref>{{Cite web|last=Longman|first=Will|date=6 November 2023|title=10 greatest Formula 1 drivers in history|url=https://motorsporttickets.com/blog/10-greatest-formula-1-drivers-in-history/|access-date=6 February 2024|website=Motorsport Tickets Blog|archive-date=6 January 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240106033353/https://motorsporttickets.com/blog/10-greatest-formula-1-drivers-in-history/|url-status=live}}</ref> including the inaugural {{F1 GP|2004|Bahrain}} and the {{F1 GP|2004|Japanese}},<ref>{{Cite web|title=2004 F1 World Championship {{!}} Motorsport Database|url=https://www.motorsportmagazine.com/database/championships/2004-f1-world-championship/|access-date=9 February 2024|website=Motor Sport|archive-date=2 December 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231202215256/https://www.motorsportmagazine.com/database/championships/2004-f1-world-championship/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Mee|first=Lydia|date=1 March 2023|title=Bahrain Grand Prix: Deep Dive into The History of the F1 Event|url=https://www.si.com/fannation/racing/f1briefings/news/bahrain-grand-prix-deep-dive-into-the-history-of-the-f1-event-lm22|access-date=6 February 2024|website=Sports Illustrated<!--F1 Briefings: Formula 1 News, Rumors, Standings and More-->|archive-date=6 February 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240206051339/https://www.si.com/fannation/racing/f1briefings/news/bahrain-grand-prix-deep-dive-into-the-history-of-the-f1-event-lm22|url-status=live}}</ref> only failing to finish in Monaco after an accident with Montoya during a safety car period.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Henry|first=Alan|date=24 May 2004|title=Schumacher's run ends in farce and fury|url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2004/may/24/formulaone.formulaone20041|access-date=6 February 2024|work=The Guardian|issn=0261-3077|archive-date=28 June 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240628023212/https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2004/may/24/formulaone.formulaone20041|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Baldwin|first=Alan|date=28 May 2004|title=Schumacher Could have Won Monaco, Says Brawn|url=https://www.autosport.com/f1/news/schumacher-could-have-won-monaco-says-brawn-5065968/5065968/|access-date=6 February 2024|website=Autosport|archive-date=6 February 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240206052536/https://www.autosport.com/f1/news/schumacher-could-have-won-monaco-says-brawn-5065968/5065968/|url-status=live}}</ref> In August 2004, Schumacher's win at the {{F1 GP|2004|Hungarian}} contributed to Ferrari's sixth consecutive Constructors' Championship, and he later clinched a seventh Drivers' Championship at the {{F1 GP|2004|Belgian}}.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Elizalde|first=Pablo|date=29 August 2004|title=Atlas F1 Magazine: 2004 Belgian Grand Prix Review|url=http://www.atlasf1.com/2004/bel/elizalde.html|access-date=6 February 2024|website=Atlasf1.com|archive-date=6 February 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240206052536/http://www.atlasf1.com/2004/bel/elizalde.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Phelan|first=Mark|date=13 October 2023|title=2004 Belgian Grand Prix: Schumacher's Seventh Drivers' World Championship|url=https://www.formulaonehistory.com/2004-belgian-grand-prix/|access-date=6 February 2024|website=F1 History|archive-date=6 February 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240206053355/https://www.formulaonehistory.com/2004-belgian-grand-prix/|url-status=live}}</ref> Earlier in July at the {{F1 GP|2004|French}}, Schumacher beat polesitter [[Fernando Alonso]] with a four-stop strategy.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Hughes|first=Mark|date=2 April 2020|title=Strategic Masterstrokes: How Ferrari stole victory from Renault with a secret 4-stop plan at France 2004<!--| Formula 1®-->|url=https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/article.france-2004-how-ferrari-stole-victory-from-renault-with-a-secret-4-stop-plan.7yXeHIzXx8e8JEyBC401ET.html|access-date=6 February 2024|publisher=Formula One|archive-date=2 September 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220902055156/https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/article.france-2004-how-ferrari-stole-victory-from-renault-with-a-secret-4-stop-plan.7yXeHIzXx8e8JEyBC401ET.html|url-status=live}}</ref> He finished the season with a record 148 points, 34 points ahead of the runner-up Barrichello, and set a new record of 13 race wins out of a possible 18, surpassing his previous best of 11 wins from the 2002 season.<ref>{{Cite web|year=2006|title=A tribute to Michael Schumacher|url=http://www.f1technical.net/news/3949|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080925233429/http://www.f1technical.net/news/3949|archive-date=25 September 2008|access-date=1 December 2007|publisher=F1technical.net}}</ref> Between 2000 and 2004, Schumacher achieved five Drivers' Championships, 48 wins, and almost all Formula One records.<ref name="Jeffries 2023">{{Cite web|last=Jeffries|first=Tom|date=26 November 2023|title=The 10 best Formula 1 drivers ever: Hamilton, Senna & more|url=https://www.autosport.com/f1/news/whos-the-best-formula-1-driver-schumacher-hamilton-senna-more-4983210/4983210/|access-date=6 February 2024|website=Autosport|archive-date=6 February 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240206212526/https://www.autosport.com/f1/news/whos-the-best-formula-1-driver-schumacher-hamilton-senna-more-4983210/4983210/|url-status=live}}</ref> With his fifth Drivers' Championship in a row, he also broke Fangio's record of consecutive titles that had stood for nearly fifty years.<ref name="Bitannica 2024">{{Cite web|date=1 January 2024|title=Michael Schumacher {{!}} Biography, Wins, Championships, & Facts {{!}} Britannica|url=https://www.britannica.com/biography/Michael-Schumacher|access-date=8 February 2024|website=Encyclopædia Britannica|archive-date=28 June 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240628023208/https://www.britannica.com/biography/Michael-Schumacher|url-status=live}}</ref>