15 December 2023 , 09:02
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Few will deny Michael Schumacher's standing as one of the all-time greats of F1 - but the iconic German driver wasn't always renowned for class and composure either.
The seven-time world champion, a feat since only matched by Lewis Hamilton, was notorious for his single-mindedness and relentless desire to win. Such traits often triggered controversy, such as the final race of the 1997 season when he was found guilty of trying to deliberately run Jacques Villeneuve off the track in a bid to deny him the title - and was later disqualified from the standings.
And now, in a new five-part documentary series being aired in Germany called Being Michael Schumacher, David Coulthard has recalled the "ruthless" side to the former Ferrari man, who beat him to the Championship after a season-long battle in 2001.
But it was three years prior to that when Coulthard learnt all about the volatility of Schumacher, following a collision between the pair in wet conditions at Spa-Francorchamps. Upon returning to the pits, he was soon confronted by his rival who made it clear where he believed the blame lay.
“My understanding of where the limit was maybe more in line with the rest of the drivers,” Coulthard told . “He [Michael] could be very ruthless, he could be cold, he could be distant. I think that’s probably what, at that level, you need to have to be that successful."
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To add further spice to the incident, the race in Belgium came amid Schumacher fighting it out with Coulthard's McLaren teammate, Mika Hakkinen, for the title. And it was the Finn who eventually prevailed, denying the German driver what would have been a maiden title with the Scuderia.
19 Aug 2001: Michael Schumacher of Germany and Ferrari enjoys his victory while stood beside an unhappy David Coulthard after winning the Hungarian Grand Prix and, a record equalling, 4th World Drivers Championship at the Hungarian Grand Prix in Budapest, Hungary. Mandatory Credit: Tom Shaw/ALLSPORTHAVE YOUR SAY! Who is the GOAT of F1? Comment below.
“Michael thought this was part of a conspiracy to try and help my team-mate Mika,” Coulthard said. “It was simply an accident. It was just one of those things."
The now F1 pundit adds he would not be being sincere if he denied that Schumacher's 'win at all costs' approach tainted his character. But he also paid tribute to his undeniable ability, that would yield five consecutive title wins between 2000 and 2004.
“I have no problem acknowledging that the period I raced was against the man that has rewritten the history books," he said. "That is the most successful in the history of our sport.”