When talking about Formula 1, most people remember Michael Schumacher. The German who won seven World Championship Titles in his career. Becoming the only driver to do so, he also earned respect and was considered one of the greats in F1. Schumacher has had only one contender when it comes to his championship wins. Sir Lewis Hamilton has been the only driver to ever win seven titles after the German.
However, it was his last race win that everyone still remembers. Schumacher was driving for his Ferrari team and was doing well. He had already won his 7th title, however, was met by a strong competitor, Fernando Alonso in 2006. Fighting long battles with him, the German finally took his last race win in 2006 at the Chinese Grand Prix. However, Alonso took his championship title and would soon win his second ending Schumacher’s reign.
#OnThisDay in 2006, @schumacher scored what would be the 91st and final win of his #F1 career 🏆
Tell us your favourite of those 91 Schumi wins in the comments 👇#MichaelSchumacher #Ferrari pic.twitter.com/1TYgs9nNJK
— Autosport (@autosport) October 1, 2023
Michael Schumacher soon announced his retirement from Formula 1 and left the sport. Additionally, even his then-team principal, Jean Todt stepped down after seeing Schumacher leave. However, the German made a return to the sport with the Mercedes team. Driving with Sebastian Vettel and a young Lewis Hamilton on the grid, the driver was unable to win any races. With Hamilton and Vettel’s reign and battles already in the working, Schumacher left the racing scene again.
When Michael Schumacher gifted Sebastian Vettel his 3rd F1 title
Michael Schumacher had earned himself everything. The driver was well done in his career with the greatest milestone anyone has ever reached. Therefore, when he drove his very last race in Formula 1 in 2012, the driver had a little gift for his German friend, Sebastian Vettel. When Schumacher returned to the sport again as a driver for Mercedes, he soon saw friendship in Vettel, the Red Bull driver in F1.
In the very last race that he drove, Schumacher handed Vettel a present. When battling for a race win, Schumacher was seen slowing down and waving to Sebastian Vettel. He asked his German friend to go ahead, in return bringing the driver his third championship title. The memorable moment was caught by the commentators, surprised to see the seven-time champion put his guard down, waving Vettel by.
Post-race, Schumacher said, “I feel it’s a very nice hand-over to Seb and that I am very happy for him.” Soon Michael Schumacher retired from Formula 1 again after driving for Mercedes. With Lewis Hamilton becoming the emerging champion Mercedes wanted to pursue, Schumacher took a step back. However, it would be the last of the drivers to be seen. Unfortunately, Schumacher was caught in a horrible accident while skiing and left the media exposure completely.