Lasting Legacy of Michael Schumacher: A Look at the Influence on History

A closer look at the lasting mark left by Michael Schumacher—a timeline of influence.

Michael Schumacher is a retired German Formula One racing driver, widely regarded as one of the greatest of all time. He holds a joint record of seven Formula One World Drivers' Championship titles. He dominated the sport for over a decade, primarily with Benetton and Ferrari. At the time of his retirement, he held numerous records, including most wins, pole positions, and podium finishes, although many have since been surpassed. He still holds the record for the most fastest laps. His career spanned from 1991 to 2006 and 2010 to 2012.

Sections (7)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition Challenges & Struggles Controversies & Scandals Legacy & Impact

1970: Jochen Rindt's domination

In 1970, Jochen Rindt's domination was later equalled by Schumacher. Jochen Rindt was German but raced under the Austrian flag, and was the only posthumous Drivers' Champion.

1995: Most wins in a season in 1995

Michael Schumacher first broke the record of most wins in a season in 1995.

1999: Ferrari's Constructors' Championship

From 1999 to 2004, Schumacher's Ferrari won a record-breaking eight Constructors' Championships.

1999: Highest Paid Athlete by Forbes

In 1999, Forbes magazine listed Michael Schumacher as the highest paid athlete in the world.

2000: Highest Paid Athlete by Forbes

In 2000, Forbes magazine listed Michael Schumacher as the highest paid athlete in the world.

2000: Most wins in a season in 2000

Michael Schumacher equalled his record of most wins in a season in 2000.

2001: Most wins in a season in 2001

Michael Schumacher equalled his record of most wins in a season in 2001.

2003: Schumacher's talent, discipline and leadership

In 2003, Deutsche Welle highlighted Michael Schumacher's "natural talent" for racing and his "discipline and leadership" qualities.

2003: Schumacher's performance in wet races

In 2003, Motor Sport author Christopher Hilton observed Michael Schumacher's exceptional performance in wet races, highlighting his car control and sensitivity. Up to the end of 2003, Schumacher had won 17 of the 30 races contested in wet conditions, earning nicknames like "Regenkönig" and "Regenmeister."

2004: Schumacher holds most major Formula One records in 2004

By 2004, Michael Schumacher came to hold most major Formula One records.

2004: Ferrari's Constructors' Championship

From 1999 to 2004, Schumacher's Ferrari won a record-breaking eight Constructors' Championships.

2004: Schumacher as "the ultimate driving machine"

In 2004, Slate magazine described Michael Schumacher as "the ultimate driving machine" and "the most dominant athlete in the world" because he had become "quicker, stronger, and fitter than the competition by outworking them". The magazine noted that Schumacher changed the sport and set a new benchmark for other drivers.

2005: World's First Billionaire Athlete and Powerful Celebrity

In 2005, EuroBusiness magazine identified Schumacher as the world's first billionaire athlete. Also in 2005, Forbes ranked him 17th in its "The World's Most Powerful Celebrities" list.

2006: Schumacher's last season with Ferrari, wins and retirement announcement

2006 marked Schumacher's final season with Ferrari. After a slow start, he won several races, breaking Senna's pole position record. He was stripped of pole position at the Monaco Grand Prix. Schumacher announced his retirement after winning the Italian Grand Prix. Later, he secured his 91st and final career win at the Chinese Grand Prix, leading the championship standings. Ferrari issued a press release stating that Schumacher would retire from racing at the end of the 2006 season but would continue working for the team.

2006: Considered among the greatest F1 drivers in 2006

By the time of his first retirement in 2006, Michael Schumacher was widely considered among the greatest Formula One drivers.

2006: End of career highlights

In 2006, at the end of his initial career, Michael Schumacher had 91 wins, 40 more than his nearest rival, Alain Prost, and held at least thirty-one records in Formula One, including most championship titles, race victories, podium finishes, pole positions, and fastest laps.

2006: Schumacher's first retirement in 2006

When Michael Schumacher first retired in 2006, three of the top ten drivers in that year's Drivers' standings were German, more than any other nationality. Younger German drivers, such as Sebastian Vettel, felt Schumacher was key in them becoming Formula One drivers.

2007: Nürburgring circuit renamed turns 9 and 10 as the Schumacher S

In 2007, in recognition of his contribution to Formula One, the Nürburgring circuit renamed turns 9 and 10 as the Schumacher S.

2008: Ambassador for UEFA Euro 2008

In 2008, the Swiss Football Association appointed Michael Schumacher as the country's ambassador for UEFA Euro 2008.

2009: Schumacher on Jerez

In 2009, Schumacher stated that if he could have his career over again, he would "do some things differently", citing Jerez 1997 as something that he would have changed in his career.

2009: Eichenberger and Stadelmann Model of 2009

Objective mathematical models, such as Eichenberger and Stadelmann (2009, 3rd), put Michael Schumacher consistently among the top 5 greatest Formula One drivers ever.

2010: Personal Fortune Estimated

In 2010, Michael Schumacher's personal fortune was estimated at £515 million.

2010: Vowles praises Schumacher's role at Mercedes

In 2023, James Vowles said that Schumacher brought Mercedes together during his time at the team between 2010 and 2012.

2012: Final retirement in 2012

By the time of his final retirement in 2012, Michael Schumacher was widely considered among the greatest Formula One drivers.

2012: Brawn's View on Schumacher

In 2012, Ross Brawn said that Michael's contribution to Mercedes' development and future had been significant.

2013: Ski injury and Brawn's opinion

In 2013, Brawn stated that had Schumacher not suffered a ski injury, he would have had a chance at winning his eighth World Championship in 2014.

2014: Mercedes' Constructors' Championship

From 2014 to 2021, Mercedes went on to win a record-breaking eight Constructors' Championships with Hamilton, Rosberg, and Bottas.

2014: Bahrain International Circuit first corner renamed

In 2014, the first corner of the Bahrain International Circuit was renamed in honor of Michael Schumacher.

2014: original F1metrics Model of 2014

Objective mathematical models, such as original F1metrics (2014, 4th), put Michael Schumacher consistently among the top 5 greatest Formula One drivers ever.

2015: Bell Model of 2015

Objective mathematical models, such as Bell et al. (2015, 3rd), put Michael Schumacher consistently among the top 5 greatest Formula One drivers ever.

2017: Fifth Highest Career Earnings

In 2017, Forbes designated Schumacher as the athlete with the fifth highest career earnings of all-time.

2017: Induction into FIA Hall of Fame and Germany's Sports Hall of Fame

In 2017, Michael Schumacher was inducted into the FIA Hall of Fame and Germany's Sports Hall of Fame.

2018: FiveThirtyEight Model of 2018

Objective mathematical models, such as FiveThirtyEight (2018, 2nd), put Michael Schumacher consistently among the top 5 greatest Formula One drivers ever.

2019: updated F1metrics Model of 2019

Objective mathematical models, such as updated F1metrics (2019, 1st), put Michael Schumacher consistently among the top 5 greatest Formula One drivers ever.

2020: FIA President Award

In 2020, Jean Todt honored Michael Schumacher with the FIA President Award.

2020: Hamilton surpasses Schumacher's wins

In 2020, Lewis Hamilton surpassed Schumacher's record of 91 wins, becoming the driver with the most wins in Formula One history.

2020: Championship Record Tied

In 2020, Lewis Hamilton tied Michael Schumacher's record of seven Formula One World Drivers' Championship titles.

2020: Martin Brundle comments on Schumacher in 2020

In 2020, Martin Brundle commented on Michael Schumacher's inner self-belief, noting that it occasionally shows up as flaws. He also highlighted Schumacher's achievements, speed, and accomplishments at two different teams.

2020: Most influential person in Formula One history in 2020

In 2020, Michael Schumacher was voted the most influential person in Formula One history.

2021: Mercedes' Constructors' Championship

From 2014 to 2021, Mercedes went on to win a record-breaking eight Constructors' Championships with Hamilton, Rosberg, and Bottas.

2023: Vowles praises Schumacher's role at Mercedes

In 2023, James Vowles said that Schumacher brought Mercedes together during his time at the team between 2010 and 2012.

2023: Fisichella praises Schumacher

In 2023, former Formula One rival Giancarlo Fisichella observed that Michael Schumacher "did not even seem to have sweated" during races, adding that Schumacher is the greatest Formula One driver of all time and "rewrote the history of Formula One".