22 years ago… Michael Schumacher won his first F1 title with Ferrari

Delivery. Finally. In an instant, these five years of slow and patient efforts, major investments, sacrifices, sleepless nights, joys, sorrows, took on their full meaning. The road was long and arduous, including this 2000 season when Ferrari et Schumacher got off to a flying start – 3 victories in a row – before a rotten summer which saw the German lose a huge lead in the championship.

On the evening of a memorable defeat against Mika Häkkinen at the Belgian Grand Prix, following an incredible overtake by the Finn (Ricardo Zonta still remembers it), Schumacher could have disunited and collapsed. Instead, he bounced back to Ferrari grounds with an emotional success at Monza, followed by a triumph in the United States, which gave him two chances to finish.

The first presented itself to Suzuka, justice of the peace par excellence, already witness to Homeric finals in the past. From qualifying, the tone was set: the Red Baron took his 9th pole position of the year in 16 races. His advantage over Häkkinen who would accompany him on the front line? 0 »009. A breath.

As is often the case this season, and in previous years at Suzuka, Schumacher did not get off to an extraordinary start and tried to compensate by cutting off the Finn's trajectory from the McLaren. Wasted effort. What followed was a game of cat and mouse, a titanic duel where the adversaries surrendered blow for blow, far, far away, in front of everyone.

Weather boost

And then came a light rain, just enough to make the grip precarious and the trajectories more complicated to read. The Scuderia, helped by the hard tires provided by Bridgestone, took advantage of it during the second refueling waltz.

Instead of imitating Häkkinen, Schumacher stayed two more laps on the track. Two laps where the German worked hard to make the new strategic masterstroke hatched by Ross Brawn work.

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Meanwhile, the Finn was skating in the peloton with tires not yet up to temperature. The German finally rushed into the pit lane. His stop lasted 6”00 compared to 7”4 for the Finn. When he returned to the track, Häkkinen was barely at the start of the pit straight.

Despite a last stand from the McLaren driver, his rival Ferrari did not let this historic victory slip away, synonymous with a third world title, his first under the colors of Maranello. Euphoria, immense relief, feeling of duty accomplished, of fulfillment: a host of emotions invaded Schumacher.

« Ross, you are awesome, you are all awesome!, he exclaimed on the radio, his breath short and his throat tight. We did it ! We did it ! Kiss Corinna hard (his wife. Editor’s note) for me. »

Michael Schumacher and Jean Todt congratulate each other on the podium of the 2000 Japanese GP / © DPPI

Schumacher: a ticket for posterity

A fantastic but sometimes unhappy driver, a unifying workaholic, a ruthless but not flawless competitor, the Kaiser bought himself a ticket for posterity.

On the podium, while Schumi poured a torrent of champagne on Jean Todt who was reaching the goal after seven years of self-sacrifice, slipped to his driver that from that moment on, their lives would change forever. He was obviously right.

Barely had the ceremony concluded when the boss of the Scuderia was already heading to Malaysia where the 2000 final would take place with his sights set on: a Constructors' title to retain.

« Back in Italy, work will resume. There are only three points left to collect in Malaysia to make it a double, confided Todt in a deliberately matter-of-fact tone. We cannot deny what gave us so much pleasure last year. Afterwards, we will have to concentrate completely on 2001. »

On October 8, 2000, Ferrari's golden age was just beginning.

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