Ross Brawn explains how Michael Schumacher ‘upset’ Ayrton Senna during their first Formula 1 battles

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Michael Schumacher joined Formula 1 in the early 1990s and was an instant hit, finishing third in his first full-time season with Benetton.

The German was winning Drivers’ Championships before long, claiming his first two in 1994 and 1995 after an era of Williams dominance.

Before he claimed his first title, he faced some of the very best including Ayrton Senna and Nigel Mansell before his retirement.

Schumacher likely would have faced the former in a battle for the 1994 crown if his career hadn’t been cut short by a tragic accident at the San Marino Grand Prix.

Schumacher couldn’t believe Senna had died at Imola but he was the sport’s last death for 20 years as safety improvements were made in the wake of every crash.

The few exchanges they had until that stage had been feisty as you would expect between two greats of the sport, but no one quite knew at the time how special both would turn out to be.

Michael Schumacher ‘upset’ Ayrton Senna with his style of F1 racing

Schumacher and Senna both excelled at the Monaco Grand Prix, with the Brazilian winning in every season that they both competed in (1992 and 1993).

The Monte Carlo streets were too tight for them to battle on, but they did on other circuits and it was Schumacher’s approach which upset Senna.

READ MORE: Why Johnny Herbert’s time as Michael Schumacher’s teammate ended in a ‘nightmare’ thanks to Flavio Briatore

He tried to force him back into line but it didn’t work. Speaking on Netflix’s Schumacher documentary, ex-Ferrari boss Ross Brawn revealed how the seven-time champion annoyed the McLaren driver in 1992 and 1993.

“I don’t think Michael set out to try and upset him [Senna], I think Michael was racing him the same way he was racing everyone else, as he should have done,” he said.

“It caused some friction. Ayrton tried to put Michael in his place a few times on track which upset Michael.”

What did Formula 1 do after Ayrton Senna’s death in 1994?

F1 and the FIA made safety improvements after Senna’s Imola crash which included mandatory testing for barriers and a pit lane speed limit.

The 1994 San Marino Grand Prix resumed after Senna’s death due to commercial reasons according to ex-Formula 1 boss Bernie Ecclestone.

He argues that it wouldn’t have helped anything to cancel the race, with the need for refunds and other concessions after the event.

READ MORE: Senna’s ‘special’ final radio message to Prost before Imola crash

Schumacher won the championship in the end, but he did it controversially by crashing into Senna’s old Williams teammate Damon Hill in the season finale.

It left a mark on his maiden title which is remembered to this day for the way that he turned in on the Brit with clear intent to ignore that he was there after making a mistake.