Lewis Hamilton’s tribute to Michael Schumacher has drawn both admiration and criticism from F1 fans.
The tribute comes as the motorsport community celebrates the 30th anniversary of Schumacher’s first World Championship title, a milestone that has been marked with the release of a new coffee-table book titled World Championship Cars: Michael Schumacher.
Hamilton, a seven-time World Champion himself, provided the foreword for this book which features stunning photography of Schumacher’s championship-winning cars. His opening line, “From one legend to another,” encapsulates the respect he holds for the German driver, who is widely regarded as one of the greatest in the sport’s history.
However, not all reactions have been positive. Many F1 fans have expressed their displeasure over Lewis Hamilton’s tribute to Michael Schumacher, arguing that it overshadows Schumacher’s legacy with an overly personal touch that some perceive as self-serving.
Critics have taken to social media to voice their frustrations, suggesting that Hamilton’s acknowledgment of Schumacher should have focused more on the latter’s achievements rather than intertwining his own narrative.
One user said: “Why is Hamilton’s face in the same book as Michael Schumacher?“
A second said: “I would have bought the book but Lewis Hamilton no thanks there can only be one the true champ goat msc.”
Another F1 fan wrote: “Why do you have to insult us Michael’s fans with Hamilton’s picture or mention in this book? As eternal Schumacher fan it’s a huge disrespect to me and of many others I am sure.”
A fourth fumed: “And what is Hamilton doing there? I have the German national anthem in my head right now.”
A fifth wrote: “They tried sneaking has-been Hamilton in there lol.”
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Lewis Hamilton’s tribute to Michael Schumacher emphasizes him not just as a F1 legend but as a family man and a figure of humility. In the foreword in a new book about Schumacher he stated: “Michael is among the legends in our sport.
“When you grow up with passion for mortosport, you always look up at specific people, and without doubt Michael was a role model for young drivers. His speed, his work morals, his determination and consistency – the length of his career and his top performance can only be admired.
“When it comes to Michael’s legacy, however, I focus on him as a person rather than a competitor. It’s not about titles or trophies, but about the family that he and Corinna created together.
“Their greatness, their humility and their sincerity say much more about Michael’s values than I ever could.“
The debate surrounding Lewis Hamilton’s tribute to Michael Schumacher underscores the complexities of legacy in sports. Many fans believe that tributes should remain focused on achievements rather than personal anecdotes that may detract from the honoree’s historical significance.
In this case, while Hamilton aimed to celebrate Schumacher’s life and career through his own experiences and reflections, some fans felt this approach was inappropriate given Schumacher’s monumental status in Formula 1.
