51 years of Michael Schumacher: his 3 favorite circuits

Canada: 7

The winding but fast Gilles-Villeneuve route, located on Notre-Dame Island in Montreal, is particularly demanding for the mechanics and the drivers. It is therefore hardly surprising to see the record holder of world titles (7) reap the laurels seven times (1994, 1997, 1998, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2004).

If I had to choose just one:

The 1998 version doesn't lack spice. First of all, two starts are given. The first is disrupted by the barreling session of Alexander Wurz (Benetton). Lack of success, “Schumi’”, whose first flight allowed him to overtake Mika Häkkinen (McLaren), must regain his third place on the grid. 

The second procedure is still eventful, but the Safety Car is deployed instead of the red flag. Second, Michael Schumacher will then take advantage of an accelerator problem on David Coulthard's McLaren to take control. 

A new neutralization occurs to remove the clumps of grass brought back by the Arrows of Pedro Diniz on the 20th lap. Michael Schumacher takes the opportunity to pit. However, when returning to the track, he saw the Williams by Heinz-Harald Frentzen. 

The former Benetton driver rushes towards the Williams to block his path. The latter slants towards the gravel, where it ends its course. Patrick Heid, team principal of the English team, is furious and says a few words to Jean Todt on the pit wall. “We will do everything to exclude him from the race and we will not tolerate that. »

Ultimately, Michael Schumacher will escape without the slightest punishment. Even better, he will benefit from a full-throttle offensive from national star Jacques Villeneuve (Williams) on Giancarlo Fisichella (Benetton) to return to the lead, until the finish. 

Imola: 7 

The second cradle of Ferrari in Formula 1. The Enzo e Dino Ferrari circuit in Imola saw the Team winning eight times in the 26 editions of the San Marino Grand Prix (although Imola is located in Italy and not in this province) and Michael Schumacher no less than seven times (1994, 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2006).

If I had to choose just one:

In 2006, the return match between Michael Schumacher and Fernando Alonso (Renault) packs the fans. Frustrated to see the Spaniard staying the course a year earlier, they exulted when the car red reverses the position under the spring sun.

If no overtaking took place on the track, the intensity of the fight is there. So firmly in the lead at the halfway point, the 248F1 is experiencing serious problems with tire damage. Thrown back 10 seconds from the leader, Fernando Alonso then attacks the Ferrari. 

The final pit stops are the ideal opportunity for the outgoing champion to overtake his rival. But a botched exit lap and the German kept his place until the finish. 

Magny-Cours: 8

Cock-a-doodle Doo ! It is on the Nevers Magny-Cours circuit (Nièvre) that Michael Schumacher has won the greatest number of victories in the same country. France brought eight successes to the Kaiser: 1994 and 1995 with Benetton, 1997, 1998, 2001, 2002, 2004 and 2006 with Ferrari.

If I had to choose just one:

The 2004 edition is a tactical demonstration. Beaten in testing by Fernando Alonso, the Scuderia, thanks to the mischief of Technical Director Ross Brawn, is counting on an improbable plan of four pit stops during the race. 

Forced to whip at the wheel of his F2004, Michael Schumacher will still take half the race to overtake the blue and yellow Renault. The final pit stop, 12 laps from the end, will only be a formality. 

“We chose to switch to this strategy after the second shutdown, indicated the man with 91 successes at a press conference. We knew it was optimistic, but without taking risks, there’s no fun! 

Ross and the whole team were brilliant. The stops were perfect. It's incredible. When I got to the starting grid, I wasn't that optimistic. But our tires worked well until the end of the stints, where other teams struggled.”​