On the 20th anniversary of his F1 debut, Schumi vows to take fight to his rivals on the very track where he began his career
On the 20th anniversary of his F1 debut, Schumi vows to take fight to his rivals on the very track where he began his career
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Today marks the 20th anniversary of Schumacher's Formula One debut which came at the 1991 Belgian Grand Prix in Spa.
When Jordan found themselves short of a driver for the race, after Bertrand Gachot had been jailed for an altercation with a London taxi driver, they were offered Schumacher by Mercedes, with whom he was competing at the time in the World Sportscar Championship.
What followed was a remarkable maiden outing as Schumacher started from seventh on the grid in a car that had just once in the prior 10 races managed to qualify in the top 10. His race, however, was over on the first lap with a clutch failure, but he had done enough that weekend to lead to him being poached by Benetton, and the rest is recorded in the history books.
Spa, however, has always held a very special place in the German's heart, and so it is fitting it is the scene of what will be a very special moment for the seven-times champion. "If you imagine what has happened at Spa in all those years," said the 42-year-old Schumacher, now in the second year of his comeback with Mercedes.
"There was my start in '91, my first win in '92, the phenomenal races in '95 or the strange race in '98, or finally to win the championship in 2004.
"All of those steps mark Spa with a very particular touch.
"For me, in my whole history, everything comes back to Spa, where everything started and where lots of great stories happened.
"The emotion of the track, the combination of history, is the reason that Spa has become my living room.
"So returning to Spa from the summer break with fresh motivation and energy, I will try to set an exclamation mark at this weekend's Belgian Grand Prix."
Mercedes team principal Ross Brawn, who has played a part in all seven of Schumacher's titles during his career, said: "Congratulations to Michael.
"It has been an honour and a privilege to work so closely with him for 17 of those 20 years, and I look forward to more good times aheadu00a0 together."
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