Everything you need to know about F1 legend Michael Schumacher from net worth to career stats

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Michael Schumacher is one of the most successful Formula 1 drivers in the history of the championship, having achieved unparalleled success in his 19-year career at the top, so here is everything you need to know about the F1 legend.

Schumacher achieved much of his success in F1 driving for Ferrari, although his career was not without the occasional moments of controversy.

He won his first world championship in 1994 with Benetton, before going on to move to Ferrari in 1996, then retiring in 2006 for the first time.

Schumacher would come out of retirement for a three-year stint in 2010 with Mercedes, eventually electing to hang up his helmet at the end of the 2012 season with 91 victories to his name.

Widely considered to be one of the greatest F1 drivers in the championship’s history, here is everything you need to know about Schumacher.

Michael Schumacher’s early years and F1 debut with Jordan

Schumacher started off his motorsport career in karting, taking part in local championships in his hometown of Kerpen-Horrem in Germany.

After obtaining a German licence the year after he won the Junior Kart Championship in the country, Schumacher made his debut in single-seaters in 1988 in the German Formula Ford and Formula Konig series.

With help from his manager in the latter years, Willi Weber, he would compete in the German Formula 3 Championship and went on to win it in 1990.

He also won the 1990 Macau Grand Prix, albeit controversially, when he collided with Mika Hakkinen in the closing laps who only needed to finish within five seconds due to a time penalty. Hakkinen was out of the race, but Schumacher could continue and won Macau without a rear wing.

Schumacher’s success in the junior categories earned him a seat in the Mercedes World Sportscar Championship, winning the season finale in Mexico in the Sauber-Mercedes C11.

The following year in 1991, Schumacher would make his debut in Formula 1 with Irish team Jordan, as a replacement for the imprisoned Bertrand Gachot. The German was signed by after Mercedes paid the Irish team owner $150,000 (£120,000) for his debut, with Eddie Jordan branding him a ‘wonder of the world’ after his first test.

Schumacher impressed the paddock by qualifying seventh on his F1 debut in a midfield car, having only driven half a day of testing and at a track he had never raced at before in his career. Sadly, his F1 debut was cut short after the first lap due to clutch problems, but it was clear he was a star in the making.

Michael Schumacher wins first F1 titles with Benetton in 1994 and 1995

After making the switch to Benetton in 1992, Schumacher would go on to achieve a lot of success at the team. He would successfully interrupt Williams’ dominant form with his first win at Spa Francorchamps, then again in 1993 when he won at Portugal ahead of Alain Prost.

The 1994 season would be Schumacher’s coming of age, although it would start in tragedy when Ayrton Senna was killed three races into the year at Imola.

Schumacher went on to win nine out of the 16 races, but throughout the season, Benetton were repeatedly accused of cheating. The Benetton B194 car would be one of the most controversial in history, after the FIA found evidence of an illegal traction control system and the team were guilty of modifying their fuel rig after a horrendous fire involving teammate Jos Verstappen.

Schumacher would face a two-race ban after ignoring a black flag at the British GP, then at Spa he was stripped for a win for a technical infringement. Title rival Damon Hill was eventually handed the victory, after being told while he was queing up in an airport.

Heading into the final round at Adelaide, Schumacher held a one-point lead over Hill. Under pressure from the Williams driver, Schumacher went off the track and damaged his car. After seeing his title hopes fade, Schumacher would try an optimistic overtake on Hill at the next corner and collide, taking both of them out and securing the title for himself.

Hill wanted to appeal but there was ‘no appetite’ at Williams to get involved at the time, after such a tough season. Schumacher would earn his first title and would go on to repeat the feat with Benetton in 1995, producing some of his great drives, including in the wet conditions at Spa and the Nurburgring.

Michael Schumacher embarks on a successful journey with Ferrari but falls short of title in early years

Joining Ferrari in 1996, Schumacher would embark on a journey that would define his career. Bringing Benetton ally Ross Brawn with him in 1997, the German would assemble one of the most successful teams headed by Jean Todt and designer Rory Byrne.

Schumacher came close to winning the title in 1997 against Jacques Villeneuve, but the title battle would be spoiled when the German intentionally crashed into his Williams at the season finale at Jerez. The FIA would take a very dim view of his antics, electing to exclude him from the championship and requiring him to take part in a road safety initiative.

For the 1998 and 1999 seasons, Schumacher would go up against his hold F3 rival Mika Hakkinen at McLaren. Hakkinen would win the title by 14 points in 1998, then in 1999 Schumacher’s title bid went off rails when he broke his leg at the British GP at Silverstone.

Schumacher returned to the cockpit at the penultimate round in Sepang, but was now supporting teammate Eddie Irvine’s title bid. Schumacher had no reply for Hakkinen, who wrapped up his second and final title at McLaren.

Michael Schumacher becomes an F1 great with Ferrari

Ferrari’s wait for a Drivers’ Championship would finally end in 2000. Schumacher won the first three races of the season, and despite a dip in form midway through the year, he secured further victories in Italy, USA, Japan and Malaysia to win the title by 19 points.

It would become the first of five titles in a row for Schumacher, taking back-to-back championships in 2001 and 2002 with dominant performances. He won nine races in 2001, then 11 in 2002 as nobody was able to beat the Ferraris.

The 2003 season would prove to be a closely matched affair with Kimi Raikkonen and Juan Pablo Montoya, but a mid-season change for Michelin – Ferrari’s rival tyre supplier for Bridgestone – effectively put an end to their chances, with Schumacher winning races in Italy and the USA.

The 2004 was much of the same, winning 12 of the first 13 races to secure the title early for Ferrari. Schumacher went on to have a difficult second half of the year, suffering a crash in Monza during testing, a difficult first race in Shanghai, and a grid penalty in Brazil after crashing in practice.

Michael Schumacher’s Ferrari decline and first F1 retirement

The end to the 2004 season would forshadow a difficult season 2005 and 2006 seasons for Schumacher, in which he lost out to Renault’s Fernando Alonso.

In 2005, a ban on changing tyres was introduced, forcing Bridgestone and Michelin to build compounds to last an entire race. Michelin mastered it while Bridgestone struggled, which translated into the results for Schumacher.

These rules were changed for 2006, however, it would be the final year for Schumacher before making his first retirement. At the race in Monaco he parked his car on purpose at Rascasse in an attempt to secure pole, but the stewards would disqualify him and force him to start from the back of the grid.

After a frustrating season he called time on his career at Ferrari, signing off with a drive to fourth place at Interlagos.

Michael Schumacher makes F1 return with Mercedes and 2013 skiiing accident

Schumacher looked on course for a comeback in 2009 to replace Felipe Massa, but damaged his neck in a motorcycle accident which delayed it.

He decided to join Mercedes in 2010 but he could never recapture his former glory. A controversial moment with former teammate Rubens Barrichello at Hungary would show Schumacher’s despirate side.

In 2011 he was consistently finsihing in the midfield having failed to master the blown diffusers, then in 2012 he was marred by poor reliability.

A mistake at the Spanish GP in which he crashed into the back of Bruno Senna cost him a chance at starting from pole at the following race in Monaco, after the stewards handed him a grid penalty.

Schuamcher would earn his final podium at the 2012 European Grand Prix in Valencia, before hanging up his helmet for good at the end of the season. Mercedes would move to sign Lewis Hamilton as his replacement, while Schumacher went off to persue other passions.

At the start of the year in 2013, Schumacher fell while skiiing in France and suffered serious head injuries. Little is known about his condition other than he is out of a coma, but he continues to recieve treatment for his injuries at his family home in Switzerland.

Where was Michael Schumacher born? What is his nationality?

Michael Schumacher was bron in Hurth, North Rhine Westphalia, in West Germany. He is of German nationality, having been born to Rolf Schumacher and Elisabeth Schumacher.

His father Rolf, was a bricklayer and later ran a local karting track where Schumacher got his debut in karts, while his mother operated the tracks canteen.

What is Michael Schumacher’s net worth?

Although Michael Schumacher hung up his helmet in 2012, he brand has continued to see growth. His net worth is currently estimated to be around $600 million (£456 million) according to The Daily Express.

Who is Michael Schumacher married to?

Michael Schumacher is married to Corinna Besch having married in 1995. The pair have two children including former F1 driver and current WEC driver Mick Schumacher, and daughter Gina-Maria Schumacher.

How many F1 World Championships does Michael Schumacher have?

Michael Schumacher has won seven world championships in Formula 1, which ties him in the all-time list with Lewis Hamilton who has also won the same amount.

How many wins and podiums in F1 does Michael Schumacher have?

Michael Schumacher acheived 91 victories in his F1 career, earning 155 podiums in the process and scoring 1,566 points. He also holds 68 pole positions and acheived 77 fastest laps.