Formula One Auto Racing Driver Michael Schumacher

Michael Schumacher - Master of the F1 Circuit

Michael Schumacher is without a doubt one of the world's most outstanding Formula One drivers. Statistically speaking Schumacher is F1's greatest driver ever. World champion on seven times over, Michael Schumacher has received worldwide recognition and has a massive following of fans. Schumacher is also well-known as the first billionaire athlete in the world with his 2004 annual salary coming in at $80 million. A name spoken of widely, Michael Schumacher will always be a Formula One racing legend.

Formula One driver Michael Schumacher was born on 3 January 1969 in Germany. At the tender age of 4 he began using his father's homemade kart in races. A whiz behind the wheel of the simple pedal-kart with a motorcycle engine, Michael won his first championship when he was 6 years old. His racing talents were soon recognized by his parents and others who sought to sponsor him. As a youngster he went on to claim a number of European and German kart championships. In the year 1988 Michael Schumacher competed in the Formula Ford series and later won the German Formula 3 series in 1990. At the end of that year he became a member of the Mercedes junior racing program. He gained victory in both 1990 and 1991.

Schumacher as a F1 driver for Benetton won two championships. In 1996 he joined Ferrari. In no time at all Schumacher turned the flailing team around winning a number of championships for them. What made Michael Schumacher such a remarkable Formula One driver? He became renowned for taking his car to its limits, for creating fast laps at vital times and excellent driving skills even in wet conditions. In fact his mastery over wet tracks gained him the title “Regenmeister” or “Rain Master”. Throughout his career Michael Schumacher has taken home a number of awards and titles. In 2002 and 2004 he was the recipient of the prestigious Laureaus World Sportsman of the Year. The FIA Gold Medal for Motor Sports was awarded to Schumacher. Currently Michael Schumacher has gained practically every F1 record including most races won in a season, fastest laps, most drivers' championships, pole positions and race victories.

Schumacher announced that he would be retiring as a Formula 1 driver on 10 September 2006, but will still remain an involved in the sport. On a more personal note, Michael Schumacher is married to Corinna Betsch. Their children Gina-Maria and Mick were born in 1997 and 1999 respectively. His brother, Ralf Schumacher, has also become a well-known Formula One driver.