Michael Schumacher once named which driver he would be ‘happy’ to see break his F1 title record

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Michael Schumacher currently holds the joint record for most Formula 1 championships won with Lewis Hamilton.

Lewis Hamilton came within one lap of breaking Michael Schumacher’s record of winning seven drivers’ championships during the 2021 season, only to be denied by Max Verstappen.

Verstappen has since joined the handful of drivers during Formula 1’s 75-year history to have won four or more titles.

There’s still a chance that Verstappen could add to his tally this season, although he would need to overturn Oscar Piastri’s 63-point lead during the final six race weekends.

Schumacher came up against some formidable opponents during his career.

Alain Prost and Ayrton Senna won seven titles between them at the beginning of Schumacher’s time in F1, with Nigel Mansell winning a well-deserved championship the year after his debut.

It’s been suggested in the past that Schumacher forced three-time champion Nelson Piquet into retirement, while it was Fernando Alonso who eventually brought his run of five straight titles to an end in 2005.

However, Schumacher once admitted that it was his fellow countryman Sebastian Vettel that he would be ‘happy’ to see break his championship record.

Unfortunately, Vettel fell short, even after trying to emulate Schumacher’s success at Ferrari.

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

Michael Schumacher admitted he would be ‘happy’ if Sebastian Vettel broke his Formula 1 title record

Vettel won four consecutive championships between 2010 and 2013 while racing for Red Bull.

He denied teammate Mark Webber and Alonso, while driving for Ferrari, during Schumacher’s final year on the grid in 2010, with the Spaniard coming close once again two years later.

After that dramatic end to the 2012 season, Schumacher spoke about Vettel’s F1 potential, via Motorsport, and said: “He has the best package, and championships are usually won by the best.

“Records are there to be beaten,” Schumacher smiled. “They motivated me when I was racing, and in the end, I achieved it.

“Believe me, if Sebastian were able to surpass what I did, I would be happy for him.

“In a short time, he has won three titles, so why couldn’t he win seven?”

Vettel responded to Schumacher’s comment and said: “I have three titles, which is nothing compared to seven.

“Beating his record is not something that can happen in the next couple of years, so I don’t even think about it.

“I have had some very good years, but it could change suddenly.”

READ MORE: Lewis Hamilton says he plans to call Sebastian Vettel to share ‘ideas’ about Ferrari

Sebastian Vettel recalls asking Michael Schumacher for advice during his Formula 1 career

Vettel made his debut in 2007, initially as a stand-in for BMW Sauber, before being signed by Toro Rosso.

It meant that Vettel and Schumacher’s F1 careers weren’t destined to overlap, although the seven-time world champion spotted his fellow countryman in karting at a much younger age.

Schumacher missed out on a return to F1 with Ferrari when Felipe Massa was injured at the 2009 Hungarian Grand Prix, but eventually came back with Mercedes the following year.

Although Schumacher’s Mercedes comeback didn’t hit the same heights as his time with Benetton and Ferrari, his one podium with the Silver Arrows at the 2012 European Grand Prix was widely celebrated.

That didn’t stop Vettel from asking Schumacher for advice throughout his career, and it highlighted the bond between the two drivers.

Unfortunately, fans were denied a final title battle between arguably Germany’s two greatest Formula 1 drivers before Schumacher once again stepped away from the sport.