20 years ago.... the legend began

Germany had been seeking a Formula One World Champion ever since its inception in 1950. But it never materialized. Wolfgang Von Trips was destined for glory but unfortunately died prematurely in 1961 at Monza. Stefan Bellof, another driver who showed potential, was killed in a sportscar crash in 1985. It was not until the arrival of Michael Schumacher in 1991 that the German crowd had someone in whom they beleived could bring them the country's first ever Formula One World Championship.

It was 20 years ago that the previously unheard of young German driver arrived on the paddock for his debut race. His name was Michael Schumacher. It would signal the start of an amazing career in which he took home 7 World Championships and set countless other records along the way.

Michael Schumacher had been brought on the Jordan team as a replacement for Bertrand Gachot who had been sent to prison after an altercation with a London cab driver. Schumacher had impressed Jordan team designer Gary Anderson the previous week during a test drive. As he was still under contract from Mercedes, team boss Eddie Jordan had to pay Mercedes $150.000 to release him from his contract. Schumacher's manager Wili Webber had told Eddie Jordan that Schumacher knew the Spa-Francochamps circuit very well, but the truth was he only knew it from a spectators point of view. His teammate, 11 year veteran Andrea De Cesaris was supposed to show him the finer points of the circuit before testing, but could not make it in time due to sponsor commitment. Instead Schumacher went out on track on his own bicycle. During qualifying he stunned everybody and made the rest of the paddock take notice by qualifying 7th, 4 places ahead of his team mate De Cesaris. Even though he retired due to a clutch problem on the opening lap he had impressed many on his first outing.

Before the next race he was signed on by Benetton-Ford. Jordan applied for an injunction, but lost out as the team and Schumacher had not formally signed a contract. He went on to finish 5th, his first points, in his very first race for Benetton-Ford. At Benetton he formed a partnership with Technical Director Ross Brawn and Designer Rory Bryne. Their partnership proved fruitful as Schumacher and Benetton team went on to win the World Championships in 1994 and 1995. Later Bryne and Brawn would also move to Ferrari with Schumacher in 1996. At Ferrari they were instrumental in getting Ferrari back to the top of Formula One. What followed from 1996 till Schumacher's retirement in 2006 is known to all motorsport enthusiast.

Schumacher has had his fair share of critisisms over the year. Most notable are his alleged "accidents" with Damon Hill and Jacques Villeneuve. Schumacher is widely known for his aggresive driving style and also his fierce determination to win at any cost. His ability to drive a car beyond its limit and to set fastest laps whenever the situation demands is unparallel. Over the years he earned himself the nicknames 'Reigenmeister' (rain master) and 'Red Baron' (because of his all winning red Ferrari in reference to a World War 1 flying ace). He is also regarded as the best driver after the late Ayrton Senna in wet and slippery conditions. Schumacher has won many accolades in the racing world over the years and can truly be compared alongside Ayrton Senna and Juan Manuel Fangio as the greatest ever Formula One driver.