What is the definition of perfection?
In two words, Michael Schumacher. Ok, so I’m biased. But here’s why.
Back in the day when the world of F1 barely raised my eyebrows, it was this name that drew my interest. Just who was this guy that everyone was going on about? In order to satisfy my curiousity, I sat down to watch F1 grand prix race. By the end of the race, I was totally and irrevocably hooked. The race was Barcelona 1996, where Michael drove what will probably be regarded as one of his greatest races ever.
The myth that is Michael Schumacher relies heavily on the public perception of the man. Arrogant, ruthless, selfish and hostile to competition. He pushes the boundaries of the sport, has been accused of breaking them at times. It is this passion and sheer determination that sets him apart from his contemporaries.
Watching Michael Schumacher take Eau Rouge at Spa-Francochamps is like nothing else. Or riding the curbs at Suzuka in Japan. Or going flat-out 200mph at Hockenheim. It is sheer perfection and beautiful to watch. His car control, his intuition and absolute knowledge of the car underneath him is unmatched. A glorious combination of man and machine working in tandem. And it has been with every car he had. The world titles at Benetton were won with cars that were inferior to the Williams and McLaren. With the possibly the worst Ferrari ever (1996) he won three races, one of them while he was stuck in fifth gear. 1997, 1998, 1999 there was never a year since his F1 career (bar his debut season) started that he hasn’t won a race.
And now with the most career wins in the history of F1, most points ever scored and FIVE world titles to match only one other champion in history, his place in sports history is surely cemented. And in my opinion, there has never been a sports personality who deserves it more.