Michael Schumacher

Verstappen explains relationship with ‘uncle Michael’

Kevin Peterson03 mins

By winning his first world championship, Max Verstappen prevented Lewis Hamilton from breaking Michael Schumacher’s record of most championships. The Red Bull driver passed Lewis on the final lap of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, denying him a record seventh Formula One world title. Max and Michael, on the other hand, have a bond that goes beyond Formula One. During the early 1990s, Michael and Max’s father, Jos Verstappen, were teammates at Benetton. Off the track, the two drivers developed a cordial friendship and would spend holidays together with their families. Max Verstappen refers to Schumacher as ‘Uncle Michael’ rather than a seven-time world champion. The 2021 world champion stated that hanging out with the former Ferrari legend was a completely different experience for him. Michael, he said, was really friendly and loving toward him. “I was three or four years old at the time. All I knew was that was Uncle Michael. He was very kind. He was such a wonderful family man. I never saw him as a world record-breaking champion because I didn’t realize it!” said Max. Max and Michael both have a similar outlook on life. Both drivers are tough on the race but laid-back and entertaining in their personal life. David Coulthard, a former Red Bull and McLaren driver, said that he admires Max Verstappen’s driving and that the Dutchman reminds him of Michael Schumacher. “He’s an exceptional human, an exceptional athlete. He’s brilliant and divisive. Who else do we know that’s brilliant and divisive? Ayrton Senna and Michael Schumacher, to name but a few. So some have been able to do it.” Coulthard said.

Read More

#KeepFightingMichael – Fans commemorate 8th anniversary since Michael Schumacher’s skiing accident

Kevin Peterson04 mins

Formula 1 fans allover the world have united in wishing seven-time champion and Ferrari legend Michael Schumacher well on the eighth anniversary since his horror ski crash in the French Alps. Formula One fans have urged Michael Schumacher to “keep fighting” on the eighth anniversary of his horror ski crash. Tributes have poured in for the legendary German on social media, with #KeepFightingMichael trending on Twitter. Schumacher, who retired from racing in 2012 with the most wins in F1 history at the time, suffered traumatic head injuries in a skiing accident at the Meribel resort on the French Alps on this day in December 2013. He was wearing a helmet at the time of the crash – but it cracked on impact, leaving the former Ferrari ace in need of serious medical attention. The 52-year-old was soon air-lifted to hospital in Grenoble before undergoing two operations and being placed in a medically-induced coma for six months. After regaining consciousness, Schumacher was moved from the Grenoble University Hospital in France to the University Hospital of Lausanne, western Switzerland, for rehabilitation. In September 2014, he was able to return to his home on the banks of Lake Geneva for further rehabilitation. He has remained there ever since. In a recent Netflix documentary celebrating Schumacher’s life, his wife Corinna spoke about just how much she missed some of her husband’s characteristics from before the tragic accident. “Of course I miss Michael every day. But it’s not just me who misses him. The children, the family, his father, everyone around him. I mean, everybody misses Michael, but Michael is still here. Different, but he’s here, and that gives us strength, I find,”she said. “We’re together, we live together at home. We do therapy, we do everything we can to make Michael better and to make sure he’s comfortable, and to simply make him feel our family, our bond,” Corinna added. “Keep fighting champ, we’re all with you #KeepFightingMichael @schumacher,” wrote one emotional fan on social media. Someone else added: “It has been 8 years since his horrific accident – Schumacher is and always will be my hero. It is thanks to him that I love #F1 and #Motorsport as much as I do. We all send you our best wishes, as always. #KeepFightingMichael.” A third person tweeted, “Hard to believe eight years have passed since Michael’s accident Always in our thoughts and we keep praying for positive news #KeepFightingMichael #F1.” While another F1 fan said, “The greatest to ever do it in my eyes, an inspiration for so many people around the world, we love you michael. #KeepFightingMichael.”

Read More