F1 legend Michael Schumacher tribute at Goodwood

Many of Michael Schumacher’s cars were at Goodwood this year

By almost any measure, Michael Schumacher is the greatest driver to ever strap into a Formula 1 car. There are statistics, of course: There are the seven world championships, which is two more than Fangio or Hamilton; 91 wins, 155 podiums, 15 consecutive seasons with a win; and, perhaps most impressive of all for those who love statistics, the most races left in a season when he’d already sewn up the championship – in 2002 he had the title in hand with six races still to go.

But the most impressive thing about him may have been his drive to win, which he instilled in all those on his team. Schumacher knew the names of all his mechanics and often knew the names of their family members.

“He endeared himself to the team,” said Ross Brawn. “Everyone wanted to match (his drive) and see him win.”

F1 Ferraris at Goodwood this year

So it was only natural that this year’s Goodwood Fesitval of Speed should choose to honor Schumacher on the 25th anniversary of his first world title with a gathering of his cars. And not a static gathering, but a glorious roaring of Ferraris, Bennetons and a few other cars you may have forgotten he drove.

As well as F1 cars from Jordan, Benetton, Ferrari and Mercedes, the Schumacher collection at the Goodwood Festival of Speed included the Van Diemen Formula Ford RF88 in which he finished sixth in the 1988 German FFord Championship, the Mercedes 190E in which he contested four DTM races in 1991 and the Mercedes C11 Group C car in which he won the season finale in Mexico alongside Jochen Mass.

Many of those cars went up the hill, one Benetton driven by 1996 World Champion Damon Hill, whose battle with Schumacher was one of the most iconic of his career.

“Lewis is catching up with the statistics, but there’s a long way to go before anyone can equal Michael’s record and there’s no question that the guy had the most outstanding ability as a racing driver,” said Hill. “He had the qualities you need to be successful – he had this ruthlessness, talent, concentration and dedication.”

Schumacher’s wife Corinna was on hand for the tribute, joined by Michael Schumacher’s former Ferrari team principal Jean Todt, and Luca di Montezemolo, former Chairman of Ferrari, along with the Duke of Richmond.

On a few of the cars was the slogan #keepfightingmichael, a reference to fans’ continuing hope that their hero will recover from the severe head injury he suffered in a skiing accident more than five years ago. There has been no update on the champion’s condition in quite some time.

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