Editing Michael Schumacher (section)

=== Profile ===
{{quote box|quote="No one will ever be greater than Schumi. Michael has shaped a generation like no other, he is iconic."|source=[[Toto Wolff]] about Schumacher<ref>{{Cite web|last1=Kollmar|first1=Tom|last2=Milewski|first2=Michel|last3=Rulle|first3=Silja|date=11 December 2021|title=Niemand wird je größer als Schumi sein|trans-title=Nobody will ever be greater than Schumi|url=https://www.bild.de/sport/motorsport/motorsport/formel-1-mercedes-boss-wolff-niemand-wird-je-groesser-als-schumi-sein-78508000.bild.html|access-date=12 December 2021|website=Bild|language=de|archive-date=27 July 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220727104258/https://www.bild.de/sport/motorsport/motorsport/formel-1-mercedes-boss-wolff-niemand-wird-je-groesser-als-schumi-sein-78508000.bild.html}}</ref>|width=23%|align=right}}
[[File:Michael Schumacher 01 (sk).jpg|thumb|Schumacher in 2007, the year after he first retired. By this time, he had achieved most of Formula One's records.]]
Schumacher was noted throughout his career for his speed and racecraft,<ref name="Autosport 2009">{{Cite web|date=10 December 2009|title=Formula 1's Greatest Drivers: 2. Michael Schumacher<!--Formula 1's Greatest Drivers – Michael Schumacher-->|url=http://f1greatestdrivers.autosport.com/?driver=2|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140326095659/http://f1greatestdrivers.autosport.com/?driver=2|archive-date=26 March 2014|access-date=10 February 2024|website=[[Autosport]]}}</ref> and his ability to produce fast laps at crucial moments in a race and to push his car to the very limit for sustained periods.<ref name="Auto Racing 2007">{{Cite web|year=2007|title=Michael Schumacher – Master of the F1 Circuit|url=http://www.autoracing.com/formula-1/drivers/michael-schumacher/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070821031629/http://www.autoracing.com/formula-1/drivers/michael-schumacher/|archive-date=21 August 2007|access-date=12 July 2007|website=Auto Racing}}</ref><ref name="Foster 2024">{{Cite web|last=Foster|first=Michelle|date=3 January 2024|title=Michael Schumacher's 10 iconic Formula 1 grand prix victories|url=https://www.planetf1.com/features/michael-schumacher-top-ten-iconic-wins|access-date=10 February 2024|website=PlanetF1|archive-date=28 February 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240228065938/https://www.planetf1.com/features/michael-schumacher-top-ten-iconic-wins|url-status=live}}</ref> He was also noted for his work ethic, pioneering fitness regimen, and ability to galvanise teams around him.<ref name="Autosport 2009"/><ref>{{Cite book|last=Hamilton|first=Maurice|title=Formula One: The Champions: 70 years of legendary F1 drivers|publisher=White Lion Publishing|year=2020|isbn=9781781319468|pages=166–175}}</ref> In 2004, ''[[Slate (magazine)|Slate]]'' magazine described Schumacher as "the ultimate driving machine" and "the most dominant athlete in the world" due to him having become "quicker, stronger, and fitter than the competition by outworking them in the weight room".<ref name="Schulz 2004">{{Cite web|last=Schulz|first=Nick|date=23 June 2004|title=The Ultimate Driving Machine|url=https://slate.com/culture/2004/06/how-michael-schumacher-dominates-formula-1.html|access-date=17 July 2023|website=Slate|archive-date=17 July 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230717111419/https://slate.com/culture/2004/06/how-michael-schumacher-dominates-formula-1.html|url-status=live}}</ref> The magazine also stated that Schumacher changed the sport as he set a new benchmark for other drivers and built the team and technologies around him.<ref name="Schulz 2004"/><ref>{{Cite web|year=2023|title=Michael Schumacher <!--| F1 Legend | F1 Champion-->|url=https://www.gpdynamics.org/f1-drivers/f1-legends/michael-schumacher|access-date=8 February 2024|website=Grand Prix Dynamics|archive-date=8 February 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240208050220/https://www.gpdynamics.org/f1-drivers/f1-legends/michael-schumacher|url-status=dead}}</ref> Schumacher exercised four hours a day, mostly to strengthen his neck muscles to better withstand [[G-force]]s during races.<ref name="Deutsche Welle 2003">{{Cite web|date=30 September 2003|title=Michael Schumacher – From Go-Carts to Grand Prix|url=https://www.dw.com/en/michael-schumacher-from-go-carts-to-grand-prix/a-982222|access-date=17 July 2023|publisher=Deutsche Welle|archive-date=17 July 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230717111419/https://www.dw.com/en/michael-schumacher-from-go-carts-to-grand-prix/a-982222|url-status=live}}</ref> After his gym session, he would often head to the race track for testing.<ref name="Deutsche Welle 2003"/> In 2003, [[Deutsche Welle]] highlighted Schumacher's "natural talent" for racing and his "discipline and leadership".<ref name="Deutsche Welle 2003"/> In 2023, former Formula One rival Giancarlo Fisichella observed that Schumacher "did not even seem to have sweated" during races, adding that Schumacher is the greatest Formula One driver of all time and "rewrote the history of Formula One".<ref>{{Cite web|last=Hodge|first=Stuart|date=18 January 2023|title=Schumacher 'never even sweated' during F1 races|url=https://www.gpfans.com/en/f1-news/99680/michael-schumacher-giancarlo-fisichella-f1/|access-date=14 August 2023|website=GPFans.com|archive-date=14 August 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230814201612/https://www.gpfans.com/en/f1-news/99680/michael-schumacher-giancarlo-fisichella-f1/|url-status=live}}</ref>

In 2003, ''[[F1 Racing]]'' magazine analysed Schumacher's driving style using telemetry data.<ref name="Hust 2003">{{Cite web|last=Hust|first=Fabian|date=30 August 2003|title=Schumacher: Beeindruckende Analyse seiner Fahrkunst|trans-title=Schumacher: Impressive analysis of his driving skills|url=https://www.motorsport-total.com/formel-1/news/schumacher-beeindruckende-analyse-seiner-fahrkunst-03083006|access-date=17 July 2023|website=Motorsport-Total.com|language=de|archive-date=17 July 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230717111420/https://www.motorsport-total.com/formel-1/news/schumacher-beeindruckende-analyse-seiner-fahrkunst-03083006|url-status=live}}</ref> It was observed that Schumacher was very sensitive and flexible on the gas and brakes. Compared with his Ferrari teammate Rubens Barrichello, who often either braked or accelerated in a corner, Schumacher usually braked later into a corner and stabilised his car by accelerating slightly, often using both the brake and accelerator pedals at the same time. Exiting a corner, Schumacher accelerated considerably and balanced his car by braking lightly. [[Martin Brundle]] talked about being in awe upon seeing Schumacher's telemetry showing he took turn one on full throttle at the [[Suzuka circuit]]. With his driving style, Schumacher also went 25&nbsp;km/h faster through the [[hairpin corner]] of Suzuka compared to Barrichello, who lost 0.3 seconds to Schumacher in this corner.<ref name="Hust 2003"/> It was also observed that when needed, such as when the brakes started to overheat, Schumacher adapted his driving style to protect the brakes.<ref name="Hust 2003"/>

''Motor Sport'' author Christopher Hilton observed in 2003 that a "measure of a driver's capabilities is his performance in wet races, because the most delicate car control and sensitivity are needed", and commented that, like other great drivers, Schumacher's record in wet conditions shows very few mistakes; up to the end of 2003, Schumacher won 17 of the 30 races in wet conditions he contested.<ref name="Hilton 2003, pp. 131–132">{{Cite book|last=Hilton|first=Christopher|title=Michael Schumacher: The greatest of all|publisher=Haynes|year=2003|isbn=978-1-84425-044-8|pages=131–132|postscript=. Hilton defined a race in wet conditions as "all races where it rained – even if that was a shower".}}</ref> Some of Schumacher's best performances occurred in such conditions, earning him the nicknames ''Regenkönig'' ("Rain King"),<ref>{{Cite web|last=Hardcastle|first=Jonathon|title=Michael Schumacher|url=http://www.artwoo.com/article/michael-schumacher|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070927204445/http://www.artwoo.com/article/michael-schumacher|archive-date=27 September 2007|access-date=12 July 2007}}</ref> or ''Regenmeister'' ("Rain Master"),<ref name="Auto Racing 2007"/> even in the non-German-language media. He is further known as "the Red Baron" because of his red Ferrari and in reference to the German [[Manfred von Richthofen]], the famous [[flying ace]] of the First World War. Schumacher's nicknames also include "Schumi",<ref>{{Cite news|date=21 October 2006|title=Alonso ahead of Schumi|publisher=News24|url=http://www.news24.com/News24/Sport/More_Sport/0,9294,2-9-32_2018131,00.html|access-date=22 October 2006|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070930205306/http://www.news24.com/News24/Sport/More_Sport/0%2C9294%2C2-9-32_2018131%2C00.html|archive-date=30 September 2007}}</ref> "Schuey",<ref>{{Cite news|last=Tremayne|first=David|date=22 October 2006|title=Schuey exit promises many twists and turns|work=The Independent|location=UK|url=http://sport.independent.co.uk/motor_racing/article1919061.ece|access-date=22 October 2006|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070930182154/http://sport.independent.co.uk/motor_racing/article1919061.ece|archive-date=30 September 2007}}</ref> and "Schu".<ref>{{Cite news|date=11 October 2006|title=Schu brought down to earth|publisher=ITV|url=http://www.itv-f1.com/News_Article.aspx?PO_ID=37706&PO=37706|access-date=14 October 2006|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070929092158/http://www.itv-f1.com/News_Article.aspx?PO_ID=37706&PO=37706|archive-date=29 September 2007}}</ref>

Schumacher was noted for beating all his teammates during his Formula One career,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Woodhouse |first=Jamie |date=2 October 2020 |title=Michael Schumacher beat all team-mates, unlike Lewis Hamilton |url=https://www.planetf1.com/news/fernando-alonso-michael-schumacher-lewis-hamilton |access-date=9 February 2024 |website=PlanetF1}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Gretton |first=Matt |date=18 January 2021 |title=Formula 1 legends against their teammates: who has the best score? |url=https://www.gpblog.com/en/news/76710/formula-1-legends-against-their-teammates-who-has-the-best-score.html |access-date=9 February 2024 |website=GPblog.com}}</ref><!--https://www.racingyears.com/vs-mates/Michael%2520Schumacher--> except for his not-fully debut season against three-time World Champion Nelson Piquet, once for 1999 World Championship runner-up Eddie Irvine due to missing six races after a leg injury, and future 2016 World Champion Nico Rosberg when he was in his 40s. Schumacher was also noted for outperforming his cars and for his ability to operate at his peak on every lap,<ref>{{Cite news |date=23 October 2012 |title=Formula 1's greatest drivers. Number 4: Michael Schumacher |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/formula1/19998444 |access-date=8 February 2024 |publisher=BBC Sport}}</ref> having won significant more races than he had either pole positions or fastest laps. Apart from dominating the 1995, 2001, 2002, and 2004 World Championships (with 2002 and 2004 being the sole years where he drove the clear-cut fastest car as Barrichello was the runner-up both years), he won the competitive 2003 World Championship and either won (three times) or narrowly missed (two times) World Championships despite arguably driving an inferior car (1994, 1995, 1997, 1998, and 2000), and arguably would have won in 1999 had it been for the injury,<ref name="RaceFans 2006" /> as the performance gap from McLaren was far smaller than in 1998.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Glendenning |first=Mark |year=1999 |title=Season 1999 Mid-Term Report |url=https://atlasf1.autosport.com/99/bri/glendenning.html |access-date=8 February 2024 |website=Atlas F1}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Glendenning |first=Mark |year=1999 |title=The Season 1999 End of Term Report |url=https://atlasf1.autosport.com/99/nov17/glendenning.html |access-date=8 February 2024 |website=Atlas F1}}</ref> Since the 1994 death of Senna, Schumacher was widely regarded as the fastest driver in Formula One and the most dominant driver of his era. During his long career, Schumacher was also involved in several controversies,<ref name="Autosport 2009" /> most notably the 1994 and 1997 World Championship seasons finals and the 2006 Monaco qualifying. These episodes have been seen as a result of Schumacher's will-to-win mentality.<ref name="Benson 2006" /><ref name="Historic Racing 2007" /> In 2020, Martin Brundle commented: "The make-up of a champion is one of such inner self-belief that occasionally it shows up as flaws. The majority of the sporting greats I've met drive themselves forwards because they are always dissatisfied. But look at what Michael achieved, the speed at which he achieved it, and what he accomplished at two different teams. It's so hard to get to F1, to stay in it, to score podiums, and win races. And that guy won 91 of them, some of them in a class of one."<ref>{{Cite web |last=Barlow |first=Jason |date=6 April 2020 |title=Here are the 10 best ever Formula 1 drivers |url=https://www.topgear.com/car-news/formula-one/here-are-10-best-ever-formula-1-drivers#5 |url-status= |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200407224931/https://www.topgear.com/car-news/formula-one/here-are-10-best-ever-formula-1-drivers#5 |archive-date=7 April 2020 |access-date=8 February 2024 |website=Top Gear}}</ref>

In a 2006 [[FIA]] survey, Schumacher was voted the most popular driver of the season among Formula One fans.<ref>{{Cite news |date=27 September 2006 |title=Schumacher tops F1 supporter poll |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/motorsport/formula_one/5384692.stm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060928153827/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/motorsport/formula_one/5384692.stm |archive-date=28 September 2006 |access-date=25 October 2006 |publisher=BBC Sport}}</ref> Schumacher was subject to [[anti-German prejudices]] throughout his career, however, especially from the [[British media]].<ref name="Howell 2003" /><ref>{{Cite web |date=4 January 2024 |title=Remembering Michael Schumacher's first F1 world title {{!}} GRR |url=https://www.goodwood.com/grr/f1/remembering-michael-schumachers-first-f1-world-title/ |access-date=10 February 2024 |website=Goodwood}}</ref> About his collision with Schumacher in 1994, British driver Damon Hill wrote: "There are two things that set Michael apart from the rest of the drivers in Formula One − his sheer talent and his attitude. I am full of admiration for the former, but the latter leaves me cold."<ref name="Benson 2006" /> In addition to Hill, Schumacher also had rivalries with Mika Häkkinen, whom he beat for his first World Championship at Ferrari and the team's first Drivers' Championship since the {{F1|1979}} season, and Fernando Alonso, who ended Schumacher's five-consecutive titles in the 2000s. Despite only facing him during Schumacher's brief comeback in the 2010s, Lewis Hamilton is also seen a rival due to their similar achievements and driving styles, and cited Schumacher as an inspiration.<ref>{{Cite web |date=7 April 2023 |title=The Legend of Michael Schumacher: A Story of Triumph, Challenges, and Legacy |url=https://www.theduochronicles.com/the-legend-of-michael-schumacher-a-story-of-triumph-challenges-and-legacy/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230521115935/https://www.theduochronicles.com/the-legend-of-michael-schumacher-a-story-of-triumph-challenges-and-legacy/ |archive-date=21 May 2023 |access-date=10 February 2024 |website=The Duo Chronicles}}</ref>