Formula 1
Schumacher - I am not a legend
Four time World Champion Michael Schumacher is a driver that many look up to and one that has been called the best driver of his generation. Despite being the most successful driver in Formula One's recent history, Schumacher does not consider ...
Edited: Apr 15, 2002, 11:45 PM
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Four time World Champion Michael Schumacher is a driver that many look up to and one that has been called the best driver of his generation. Despite being the most successful driver in Formula One's recent history, Schumacher does not consider himself anything exceptional.
"I am not a legend, just someone who is lucky enough to do well at something that he really enjoys," he said, "I earn more than enough money to live well with my family, but other than that I am just a perfectly normal person."
This season sees Schumacher have the chance of equaling Juan-Manuel Fangio's record of five titles, which the Argentinian won in the early fifties. He says there is no comparison between them becasue racing was so different back then: "What Fangio did was truly impressive because racing was a lot more dangerous in those days."
Schumacher says that his motivation and enjoyment of the sport is undiminished, despite recently crashing heavily in testing at Barcelona.
"I keep driving because I am still really motivated. I drive to win and not for the statistics. When I get into the car I don't think about my children, but only about doing the very best I can."
With the advances in technology some have said that driving an F1 car is easy nowerdays, things such as traction and launch control have detracted from driver skill. Schumacher dismisses such claims.
"I don't agree with those people who say that driving a Formula One car these days is too easy. For me today's cars are great fun to drive and with the present electronic aids allowing you to take the corners more quickly and with the new developments in tyres I am enjoying myself more than ever."
2002 could provide the 33 year old German with his fifth title but he is not expecting it to be an easy season when it gets under way on March 3rd in Melbourne, Australia.
"There is now very little difference between the drivers on the grid and all of them are more professional than before. The sport is more exciting than ever and I am looking forward to facing up to the new generation of younger drivers."
On the subject of retirement Schumacher has no plans to hang up his helmet in the forseeable future, but it's likely he will stay with his present team until that day comes.
"All I know is that racing is my life and that I will finish driving here at Ferrari...but not for many years yet."
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