Schumacher just like anyone else

Michael Schumacher is bemused by the opinion of some that he is cold and unemotional and can't understand why he would be perceived as such. The five-time champion has a certain reputation for being less than human due to his ruthlessly efficient style on track and his reserved manner away from it.

However, public perception has changed somewhat. Events such as Monza in 2000, when Schumacher cried in the post-race press conference, his distress in the wake of the September 11 tragedy, and even his embarrassment on the podium in Austria last year, have made people realize he's not such a robot as thought.

"Yes and no," Schumacher told the UK's Daily Telegraph when asked if he was relieved that opinion had changed. "I felt better because of this but on the other hand I had never really understood that perception of me being cold, so at the time I did not feel the need to prove I am just a bloke like the others."

"Actually I had difficulties with this attitude: OK, he cried, so he is human, so he must have emotions. Strange, isn't it? I mean just because I don't show them in public it does not mean I don't have them."

Schumacher also said he would prefer it if his son Mick did not take up racing as a career when he was of an age, because he didn't want him to suffer from the associations of the Schumacher name.

"I have seen with Jacques Villeneuve or Damon Hill, or even my brother Ralf, what a burden a name can be," he explained. "And I would not want him to be constantly compared with me or not be able to establish his own name."

If Mick did decide to take up racing though, Michael would naturally be behind him: "But then, if he has a passion -- you know, like our parents who always supported Ralf and myself in anything we really wanted -- I would support my son as well."

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