Schumacher decorated with the Legion of Honor

Michael Schumacher received, this Thursday in Paris, the insignia of Knight of the Legion of Honor from François Fillon, French Prime Minister. The seven-time World Champion received this distinction for his entire career and his record.

« I would like to tell you that I appreciate the opportunity given to me to be able to associate with the tribute that France has paid you the expression of my personal admiration., declared François Fillon at the Hôtel Matignon, addressing the German pilot. An admiration which continued to grow as you achieved a series of victories and records, and which was further strengthened when, this year, you took up the challenge of returning to the circuits. »

« Today, to find the most relevant comparison, we must go back to the origins of Formula 1 and to the legendary Fangio, who has undoubtedly been your only rival over the years. We ended up believing that he was out of reach with his five world crowns. But from year to year, from title to title, as if time itself were a great circuit, you have caught up with the most glorious of your predecessors. »

« In the line of sight, only Fangio remained. You were the first to come back to his height and then you overtook him, beating him six times then seven times World Champion. It is true that Fangio still has some insolent records that preserve his legend. Perhaps no one will ever beat his winning percentage, since he has won almost half of the races he has competed in. »

« Your destiny, like that of Fangio, is inseparable from two legendary stables: Mercedes et Ferrari. Fangio was with the last Mercedes team in Formula 1. He was a double World Champion at the wheel of the W196. But, at the end of the 1955 season, marked by the terrible accident of 24 Hours of Le Mans, the German manufacturer withdrew from motor racing. And in a way, even if Mercedes has been on the circuits for a long time, it is with you that Mercedes is returning to Formula 1 by fielding cars entirely in its name for the first time in 55 years. This return to competition, which testifies to your passion, your courage, your sense of challenge, also renews the thread that links you to the legends of your sport. »

After retracing the career of the seven-time Formula 1 World Champion, displaying his passion for motorsport, François Fillon presented the insignia of Knight of the Legion of Honor to Michael Schumacher, then giving the floor to the German driver.

« It is a truly special moment and a huge honor to be honored here with this exceptional badge., said Michael Schumacher. It is a very special moment for me because I often found myself on the other side of the ceremony, as a spectator, because my friend Jean Todt had the honor of receiving decorations. It is an immense honor to find myself in this place, surrounded by such a close group of friends. »

« I had the pleasant surprise to see that you had well prepared your archives to reread my entire journey without forgetting anything, which I find exceptional. Your knowledge of motorsport is extraordinary. It is an honor to be decorated in this way by a Prime Minister who knows motorsport so well. You listed an impressive list of what happened in my career. But, today, I am looking to the future and, now that the second chapter of my career is opening, I hope to be able to experience moments already encountered in the past. »