The one contract clause Michael Schumacher insisted on having that Eddie Jordan felt tarnished his ‘legacy’

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Michael Schumacher is widely regarded as one of, if not the greatest drivers in Formula 1 history.

The German was handed his debut in the pinnacle of motorsport by Eddie Jordan in 1991 with Jordan Grand Prix. After just one race with the team, Schumacher moved on to Benetton for the remainder of the season.

It was here that he began to establish himself as a top talent in F1, winning his first two titles with the team in 1994 and 1995. Schumacher moved to Ferrari in 1996 as the Maranello outfit looked to find success after almost 20 years without a drivers’ champion.

Together, Schumacher and Ferrari would create history as they grabbed 72 victories and won five consecutive championships from 2000-2004 – the only driver to ever do so.

Max Verstappen will be looking to replicate that feat in 2025 after winning his fourth title in a row last year. Verstappen benefitted from Schumacher during his karting days, with the German’s advice putting him in good stead to dominate the grid.

Eddie Jordan felt Michael Schumacher’s contract clause where his teammates had to yield tarnished his ‘legacy’

Schumacher was practically unstoppable in the early 2000s as he found no competition from his rivals or by Ferrari teammate Rubens Barrichello.

But part of the reason for this may be down to the unusual contract clause the seven-time champion insisted on having. Effectively, Schumacher’s teammates had to move aside for him to pass if he was behind them in a race.

Jordan and David Coulthard discussed the matter on the Formula For Success podcast, where the latter revealed that he was said clause in writing when having discussions with Jean Todt about joining Ferrari.

READ MORE: Meet the driver who never won an F1 race but nearly denied Michael Schumacher his Mercedes comeback

In response, Schumacher’s former boss felt that ‘takes away from his legacy: “When we’re talking about the greats, [Alain] Prost and [Ayrton] Senna and [Nigel] Mansell and Lewis [Hamilton] and of course Max [Verstappen].

£Now, do you think, in terms of legacy, the fact that each of us, you and me both have had to encounter contracts, or visiting a contract with a view to signing it, whereby you always had to move over for Michael Schumacher, I think that takes away a lot from his legacy.

“I really do believe that it has a little stigma on it for me. And if I was to say you know Lewis, or Michael Schumacher sure we all know how great Michael was and how quick he was, but I just always disliked that little clause, which said that he [Schumacher’s team-mate] had to move out the way.”

Lewis Hamilton will be hoping to replicate Michael Schumacher’s success at Ferrari

In 2025, Ferrari will have another legend in their ranks as Lewis Hamilton makes the move over from Mercedes.

The fellow seven-time champion joins the Maranello outfit after 12 incredible years with the Silver Arrows, but his recent form has raised concerns over whether he can perform this season.

Qualifying was a major issue for Hamilton in 2024 as he was knocked out before Q3 six times and outperformed by teammate George Russell across the year. Hamilton has been honest with Frederic Vasseur about his struggles as he hopes to fix them at Ferrari.

The 40-year-old debut with the famous red team is nearing closer, as Ferrari have a test scheduled at their Fiorano Circuit this month.

But Hamilton will not have the same fanfare as Schumacher did as Vasseur wants the team to be solely focused on the task at hand: challenging for the title in 2025.