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totowlff · 2 years

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chapter eleven — the cliff

➝ elisabeth’s feelings for toto have pushed her to the edge of a cliff. the only thing she could do was jump.

➝ word count: 4,9k

➝ warnings: smut

➝ author’s note: i think you were waiting for this. enjoy!

OCTOBER, 2014

The mood in the garage was one of pure ecstasy.

Mechanics were running around, wide smiles on their faces and bottles of champagne in their hands. The engineers thumped each other on the back as they passed each other, in a gesture of cooperation. On the television screens mounted to the walls, images switched between replays of the silver car with the number 44 taking its lap of honor around the Sochi circuit, and the podium ceremony that had just taken place, with Lewis and Nico dousing Paddy Lowe with champagne.

Mission accomplished.

Mercedes had won the Formula 1 Constructors’ Championship.

It had been a spectacular year for the team. Thirteen wins, four by Nico, nine by Lewis, fifteen pole positions, nine front row lockouts. “Pretty much perfect”, Elisabeth thought, watching the marketing team run around, handing out commemorative t-shirts to everyone on the team.

From the corner of the garage, her father watched the proceedings with a gleam of pride in his eyes. She had heard stories of her father’s Formula 1 glory days throughout her childhood, the memories scattered around the family’s apartment in Vienna and at the house in Ibiza. However, Elisabeth knew he dreamed of achieving success outside of the car as well.

— Are you happy, dad? — she asked, putting her arm around his shoulders.

— How could I not be, Mauslein? — Niki replied, a wide smile on his lips — I always dreamed of this…

Her father had tried more than once to break into the corporate side of Formula 1. During his first attempt to do so, with Ferrari, he found himself embroiled in a war with Jean Todt for leadership of the team, and retired five years after starting. Years later, at Jaguar, he found himself every bit as frustrated as he had been at Maranello.

Succeeding in a commanding position was something Niki had always aspired to, and now, he’d finally made it.

— I know — she replied, looking at him — But you did it, dad.

— We did it, Elisabeth. You are part of it too.

— I didn’t do anything, dad.

— You’ve done more than you can imagine. And I’m very proud of you.

She felt the tears build up in her eyes, a smile on her face. After spending most of a year immersed in the world of Formula 1, struggling to understand it, and sometimes, appreciate it, hearing those words from her father was incredibly gratifying. All Elisabeth ever wanted was to make her father proud, and she had achieved that goal. Niki noticed the tears forming in her eyes, and pulled her into a hug, placing a kiss on her temple.

— Don’t cry, or I’m going to start crying — her father muttered, rubbing the corner of her eye with his finger, wiping away a tear that was threatening to fall.

— It’s not a bad thing to cry — she laughed, her voice a little choked up.

— Not when you’re the non-executive chairman of the team, Mauslein — Niki replied, placing a hand on her shoulder, a knowing smile on his face.

— They’re coming! — Elisabeth heard someone yell, causing the throng of people to stir even more as they got ready to celebrate their achievement.

A few moments later, she spotted Lewis and Nico, side by side, laughing at something. They were wearing the same black shirts, printed with the words ‘2014 World Champions’, both holding the trophies they’d won. Just behind them, Paddy appeared, his hair still damp from the champagne the drivers had showered him with on the podium. Toto was with them, holding the constructors’ trophy from the race.

As soon as the four stepped into the garage, everyone erupted in applause, cheers and whistles. The team principal raised his trophy in the air, and everyone cheered even louder. Elisabeth had never seen a bigger smile than the one on Toto’s face at that moment. She couldn’t resist the urge to smile either.

— Speech! — someone yelled, followed by a chorus of people yelling for Toto to speak, which made him laugh before he waved his hand for them to be silent.

— Racing is in Mercedes’ DNA. And, in this very challenging year, full of new regulations, we have proved ourselves completely. I have all of you to thank — he said, waving his hand to everyone standing in front of him — To Paddy and his team, for the majestic W05 project. To everyone here, mechanics, engineers, Lewis, Nico, and to everyone in Brackley and Brixworth for making it happen. Last but not least, to Niki and Elisabeth, who have been by my side for every step on this journey. Thank you very much.

Applause echoed through the garage again, accompanied by whistles and excited cheering. With his eyes fixed on Elisabeth, Toto raised the trophy again, as if it were a greeting. She gave him a sincere smile, raising her hands to show she was applauding him.

— Now, let’s take some pictures! — Toto said, pointing outside, where a pool of journalists, cameramen, and photographers were assembled to capture images of the 2014 Constructors’ Championship winning team.

Elisabeth headed to a corner next to the press, arms crossed and a smile on her face as she watched Rosa and Bradley run around, getting the team in position for photos. Right in the center, her father had a few words with Lewis, who was holding the pitboard sign that read '2014 World Constructors Champions’. They both had smiles on their faces.

“They are a match made in heaven”, she thought to herself, tucking a lock of her light-brown hair behind her ear.

When everyone was ready, Bradley gave the pool of photographers a thumbs up, and they began to capture the moment. Clicks, raised fists, smiles, and the shouts of champions.

— Liesl, come here! — she heard Toto yell, gesturing with his hand for her to come closer. She shook her head, declining the invitation. However, it only made more people start screaming her name, asking her to join the group. She did, a little annoyed. Elisabeth positioned herself beside her father, and smiled for the cameras, raising her fist as Bradley commanded.

Then someone behind her started pulling a countdown.

— Three!

Niki looked at her, a mischievous smile on his face.

— Two!

— I’d run if I were you — he said, walking away from the group towards the photographers who were positioned in front of them.

— One!

— Why?

Elisabeth heard the sound of champagne bottles popping as the laughter of mechanics was accompanied by an icy spray of liquid in her direction. Then another, and another. There was a shower of champagne coming from all sides, soaking her from head to toe.

— No, no, no — she yelled, trying to escape, unsuccessfully, from the mechanics’ reach. Then, she felt someone wrap their arms around her torso, guiding her away, as if trying to protect her from the champagne. When she wiped the liquid out of her eyes, she realized who had saved her from the mess the team was making.

Toto.

He was also completely drenched in champagne. His dark hair was wet and messy, damp strands falling over his forehead. However, he didn’t seem the least bit bothered by it. In fact, he looked like he was enjoying himself.

— I should have warned you they were going to do this — he said, his smile fading as he looked down. Elisabeth followed his gaze and realized that her white blouse had become completely transparent, allowing anyone to see the pastel pink bra she was wearing.

— Oh shit — she mumbled, putting her arms over her chest, in a feeble attempt to avoid being exposed even more by the lens and any curious eyes.

— Wait a minute — Toto said, quickly removing the damp t-shirt he was wearing and handing it to her — Put this on.

— Are you sure? — Elisabeth stammered. She was trying to ignore the fact that the white shirt he was wearing was also completely see-through, revealing the planes of his defined chest.

— Yes, put it on — he insisted, positioning himself so that the nearby cameras wouldn’t be able to capture her in such a compromising position. Then, she pulled the shirt over her head and noticed how big it was on her body. The sleeves were almost to her elbows and the hem stopped at the middle of her thighs.

— Thanks — she said quietly, a smile on her face — I’ll get it back as soon as I can.

— Don’t worry about it, Liesl — Toto replied, winking before heading back to the front of the garage. She leaned against the wall and watched as the engineers greeted him with fresh sprays of champagne. He didn’t have time to defend himself.

— Shall we go back to the hotel, Mauslein? — Niki said next to her, causing her to jump a little — You’re a mess.

— If someone had warned me earlier, I might not have gotten soaking wet.

Her dad chuckled before walking into the garage with her following behind.

It was already dark when Elisabeth emerged from her suite’s bathroom, wrapped in a towel. It didn’t take her long to choose what she would wear to dinner with the team that night. She picked one of her favorite dresses — a turquoise one — and slipped it on quickly, walking over to the mirror to see how it had looked on her body.

— Perfect — she whispered, stepping back and heading toward the bathroom to dry her hair, leaving the light-brown tresses to fall gracefully over her shoulders. After putting on some mascara and lip gloss, she went back into her room, reaching for the pair of nude heels she always carried in her suitcase.

Finally ready, Elisabeth was just about to go downstairs when she looked down at the black T-shirt she’d thrown carelessly over an armchair when she’d returned. She picked it up and looked at it, realizing it was still damp and still smelled like champagne. For a second, she thought about keeping the shirt as a souvenir.

A memory of someone Elisabeth would never have.

“No, that’s stupid”, she thought, chiding herself. It didn't make any sense to keep it. It would only bring more pain, guilt, and shame to Elisabeth, if it were possible to feel more than she already felt on a daily basis when she looked into Toto’s eyes and had to pretend everything was fine between them. Things didn’t feel good between them, and she was pretty sure they never would again.

Folding the shirt carefully, she picked up her bag, and took a deep breath. “Let’s give this back to him, Elisabeth”, she said to herself, as she walked to her suite’s door, leaving her room.

The corridors of Delta Sirius, the hotel the team was staying in for the race in Sochi, were empty, as she expected. “I just hope they don’t destroy the city”, she thought before turning right down the hallway, toward the direction of Toto’s suite.

Elisabeth stopped at the door to room number 803, and knocked softly on it, twice. She heard the sound of someone moving around inside the room, followed by the doorknob turning. Toto appeared, smiling, wearing jeans and a plain white T-shirt.

She wasn't used to seeing him dressed in such a casual manner. He was always impeccably dressed in well-tailored suits or the team uniform, designed by Hugo Boss. The closest Elisabeth had ever seen him to dressing casually was when he wore a dress shirt with the sleeves rolled up to his elbows. However, as she noticed how the fabric clung to his body, she couldn't tell that this version of him wasn't the sexiest of them all.

“Focus”, she told herself, trying to concentrate on what he was saying.

— I didn’t expect you to come by, actually — he said, opening the door wider — Come on in.

Elisabeth wanted to decline, but her feet were already stepping into the room, a shy smile on her face as she walked past him and into the suite. The room was neatly organized. The suitcase was next to the closet, closed. On the table, there was a pair of square-framed glasses, his cell phone, and a few papers. The only thing that looked out of place was a blue denim chambray shirt lying on top of the bedroom armchair, the monogram sewn just to the left of the navel making her smile. She had no idea how many times she'd made fun of Toto's habit of wearing only monogrammed shirts.

— So… What brings you here? — Toto said behind her back, making her turn to look at him.

— I came to return the shirt — she replied, handing it to him — I even thought about keeping it, but I think you deserve a memento from today.

Toto smiled, taking the shirt from her hand and laying it on the chair by his side.

— Considering it’s our first title, I think it would be good to have a memento — he said, running a hand through his dark hair — Did you come down for anything else?

— Uh, yeah… I… Well — she began, her voice strained. There was no other reason for her to be there than giving him the shirt. No other reason than the simple desire she felt to be close to him. Coming to return the shirt was just an excuse to see him, and she knew it.

Elisabeth was sure that Toto realized she didn't have any other reason to be from the sigh he let out, shaking his head.

— Tell me, Liesl, why are you here?

She swallowed hard, feeling her heart pounding in her chest. It felt like all the excuses she could make were gone from her mind. She had no idea what to say to him.

— Well, if you don't know what to say, I can give you a tip. During the event at METAstadt, you had started to say something to me, but didn’t finish — Toto said, taking a step forward — I know you didn't finish talking because you were interrupted. But now, we are alone. Nobody else is here. You can say what you want.

Elisabeth blinked, as if she had come out of a trance.

— It was nothing — she stammered, noticing his approach — Nothing important, I mean.

— Funny, the way you spoke that day, it sounded very important — Toto gave her a smirk.

— But, it’s not important any more. The moment has passed, your focus is different, just as mine.

He tilted his head, studying Elisabeth's expression.

— Well if you know so much about me, tell me, what's my focus now, Liesl?

— Well — she said, after hesitating for a few seconds — Your focus is your team. Your family. Your children. Aurélie.

Toto sighed, shaking his head.

— Liesl, there’s no more Aurélie.

She stared at him, confused.

— What do you mean? No more Aurélie? — Elisabeth whispered.

— We broke up.

— You broke up?

— Yes, we did.

— When?

— Over a month ago.

Elisabeth did the math quickly, mentally drawing a timeline of Toto's relationship with Aurélie. Over a month ago dated back to August. "The accident," Elisabeth realized, her eyes meeting his.

— You broke up…

— After my cycling accident. We had a nasty fight and we thought it best for both of us to end our relationship.

— Why?

— Well, I didn’t let Aurélie know that I was in the hospital or had surgery until after I got home. She was in Paris on business and I didn't want her to rush to Vienna just for me, but it didn't help. She took the first flight back, and when she got to the penthouse, she started asking me why I hadn't called her sooner.

Elisabeth listened to him, not saying a word.

— I told her that I didn't want to have her drop everything just for me, and that I had called someone else. Right away, she realized that it was you, even though my sister Lili was the one that took me home after the surgery. We started to argue, and when she said it didn't make any sense to call you instead of her, I told her that I called you because I liked you more than her.

“I like you”, she recalled his words, pursing her lips.

Toto, even in the midst of his post-concussion haze, had told her the truth.

— Toto — she stammered.

— Aurélie and I broke up because I couldn’t pretend that I don’t feel anything for you any more, Elisabeth — he continued — I couldn’t keep lying to Aurélie and lying to myself by telling that I could be happy with her when you’re so close to me. Close, yet so far.

The words hit her like a punch in the stomach.

— I think I better go, Toto — she said, her voice barely audible.

— No. I don't want you to leave. I want you close to me. I want you with me. Damn it, I want you, Elisabeth — he growled.

— Toto, you know this is wrong — she stuttered.

— I've gotten to the point where I don't give a damn whether it’s right or wrong. I don't care if people will judge me. I don't care if your father will hate me for this. I just don't care anymore, because my want to be with you outweighs any fear I have of anything else. I need you, Elisabeth.

She felt the tears build up in her eyes. Toto’s words crashed over her like a tsunami, her mind still processing each word carefully. Elisabeth was afraid she’d gotten it all wrong and that he didn't mean what she thought he meant. However, Toto’s words were clear as crystal. He wanted her. He needed her.

She needed him, too.

— I lied — she finally said.

— What? — he said, obviously confused.

— What I wanted to tell you at the event at METAstadt was… That I lied.

— Lied about what? When?

— I lied when I told you the kiss in Brackley meant nothing to me, when we talked on the phone on Christmas Eve.

— So, if you lied, what is the truth?

“Tell him the truth, Elisabeth”, she commanded herself.

It was time for her to be honest, not just with Toto, but with herself.

— The truth is, I've wanted to kiss you since New Year's Eve in your office. I’ve never wanted to kiss someone as much as I wanted to kiss you.

He blinked.

— But… Why, Liesl?

— Why… Did I lie? — she put on a pained smile — Because… I’m a fucking coward, Toto. I thought I was being a good daughter by keeping you at arm’s length. I thought it would be better for both of us, in the end, to avoid getting involved with each other, even if my desire for you consumed me to ashes. But, in the end, I fucked it all up.

Silence stretched between them for a few long moments.

— Can I ask you a question? — Toto said, a serious expression on his face.

— Yes — Elisabeth said.

— Do you still want me?

— Yes — she answered quietly.

The shadow of a smile appeared on Toto's lips at her response.

— So, you didn’t fuck anything up, Liesl.

She blinked.

— What makes you say that?

— Well, we’re alone inside a hotel room, two steps away from each other — he observed — I want you. You want me. It seems simple to me.

Elisabeth looked at the floor thoughtfully. It felt as if Toto had his hand out, waiting for her to take it, inviting her to jump headlong off a cliff without knowing what awaited them at the bottom. A long and uncertain fall, with an unpredictable end.

Two steps.

— Liesl — he said quietly — I only need you to say two words.

Looking up at him, she found his dark eyes fixed on hers.

— Which ones?

— Kiss me.

She could feel her heart pounding in her chest.

Two steps were enough. Two words were enough.

— Then… Kiss me.

Toto stared at Elisabeth in silence before flashing her a smirk.

— That’s three words.

— Fuck you — she growled, closing the two step gap that separated them. Then, she pulled Toto’s face towards her, pressing his lips to hers.

“Finally”, she thought, as she felt Toto’s hands on her back, pulling her body closer, pressing her chest to his. Elisabeth’s hands slid from his face to his shoulders, her knuckles white with the force she was using to hold herself against him, as if she couldn’t keep herself upright without him. Suddenly, Toto released her lips, panting.

— I’d rather fuck you — he said with a smug smile.

— Well, what are you waiting for? — she replied, her voice bold and defiant.

— I’m waiting for you to take your clothes off — Toto replied.

Elisabeth took a step back and, in one movement, she pulled her dress off over her head, tossing it into a corner on the floor. She was wearing only a pair of delicate black lace panties underneath it, the rest of her body was completely exposed to him. Putting her hands on her hips, Elisabeth watched the way Toto’s eyes roamed over her bare skin, desire alight on his face and his bottom lip between his teeth. His reaction made her feel a confidence that she never had felt before.

— Shall we continue? — she asked, making a sly smile appear on his face.

Toto’s answer came through his hands as they wrapped around her waist and pulled her up, allowing Elisabeth to wrap her legs around his torso, hands resting on his broad shoulders. As Toto carried her through the suite, she couldn’t resist the urge to bring her lips to his neck, kissing and nibbling the soft skin. She had no idea how many times she had thought about leaving marks on his neck.

“This has to be a dream”, Elisabeth thought, as he delicately placed her on the mattress, as if he were carrying the most precious object in the world. Positioning himself with one knee wedged between her legs and the other resting somewhere near her hip, Toto looked down at her, bringing his fingers to her face and moving aside a few strands of hair. Their breathing was the only sound in the room.

— What’s wrong? — she asked softly, after a few seconds of silence.

Toto brought his hand to her cheek, caressing it.

— Nothing is wrong, Liesl. In fact, they have never been so right.

— It's just that… You're looking at me strangely.

— I'm just trying to convince myself that you're really here — he answered — That you are not a figment of my imagination.

— There's only one way for you to find out — she smirked, taking her own hand to his face.

— And how should I do that?

Elisabeth pulled him down by the back of his neck to her lips for a slow and sensual kiss. She ran her fingertips over his face, down to his neck and shoulders, tangling her fingers in his white shirt, pulling when they arrived at the hem, a subtle suggestion for him to take the shirt off. Getting the message from her hands almost immediately, Toto removed his shirt and threw it in a corner of the suite, before going for her neck. Elisabeth tilted her head back to make room for him, closing her eyes to lose herself in the feel of the kisses and marks he sucked into her skin.

— Toto — she gasped, surprised, as his teeth sank deep into her shoulder, making her dig her nails into his bare back.

— Do you like that? — he murmured, soothing her skin with his tongue.

She was unable to find the exact words that could explain what she was feeling. Elisabeth only managed to nod at him, while she squeezed her thighs together in an attempt to relieve the almost-painful sensation of her arousal.

That wasn’t enough for Toto. He gently grasped her jaw with his hand and made her look into his eyes.

— I need you to use words, Liesl — he said softly, his nose brushing softly against hers.

Elisabeth lost herself in his chocolate eyes for a few seconds before she answered him in a whisper.

— Yes, Toto.

His hand left her chin and traveled down her neck until it reached one of her breasts. As he circled the sensitive skin of her nipple with his fingers, his eyes never left hers.

— How’s that?

An affirmative groan escaped her lips. She spoke four languages, but couldn’t remember any one of them. The only thing on her mind right now was her desire to have him inside her as quickly as possible.

— So, you like this, too? — he asked, his hand moving down her belly towards her pussy. However, instead of touching where Elisabeth needed it most, Toto moved his fingers to her thighs, teasing her. “Son of a bitch”, she thought to herself, feeling her skin prickling where his fingertips touched her.

— I need you to talk to me, Liesl — he whispered.

— Please — she said in a thin voice — Touch me, Toto.

With a smile, he almost immediately took the hand that was caressing her inner thigh to where she needed his touches. He pushed her black panties aside and found her clit with his thumb and began drawing small circles, his brown eyes intently watching every change in her expression.

Elisabeth’s mind had turned to mush. Her body trembled, and she could barely keep her eyes open with every movement Toto made with his fingers in her pussy. Being with him was better than she’d dreamed of during her many nights alone in hotel rooms around the world.

Suddenly, the pleasure gave way again to the ache of her desire as he pulled his hand away from her clit without warning. A growl of protest escaped her lips. However, Toto didn't give her time to say anything. Opening her eyes, Elisabeth realized that he was repositioning himself on the bed, this time, between her legs. She propped herself up on her elbows and found Toto playing with the elastic of her panties with his index finger. Then, he looked up at her.

— Can I take these off, Liesl?

— Yes, please.

He deftly slid the fabric down her legs, discarding the panties haphazardly on the bedroom floor. Then, he wrapped his arms around her legs and, without warning, dove face-first into her wetness, a moan escaping her lips while she tilted her head back. Elisabeth brought her hands to his hair, gripping the dark strands tightly, as if trying to ground herself in reality.

With her eyes closed and pleasure coursing through her body, Elisabeth tried to control the sounds that came out of her mouth. However, it only took a suck on her clit to her to scream Toto’s name at the top of her lungs. The moans continued to escape her lips as his tongue laved over her pussy. It almost felt like he’d rehearsed this. The pressure in her abdomen grew with each lick he gave, tears pooling in her eyes.

— Yes, yes, yes — she mumbled, lost in the sensation of his hands climbing up her torso to her breasts, squeezing them lightly. The friction of her nipples against his palms made Elisabeth moan even louder.

But then, he stopped again.

— Elisabeth — he said, his tone imperative. She struggled to open her eyes, but, when she did, she found his brown eyes fixed on her, his mouth wet with her juices. He never looked so sexy — Eyes open.

She managed to nod, dumbstruck. With a smile, Toto turned his attention back to her pussy. With every movement he made with his tongue, her body trembled more. Keeping her eyes open and watching him devour her, as if she were his personal feast, was a challenge to Elisabeth. Watching him only heightened her pleasure. She could have been brought to the edge of her orgasm by the sight of him alone. She was close. Dangerously so.

— I will — she gasped, struggling to find the words that had simply disappeared from her brain — I will… I will come…

— Come for me, Liesl — he said softly. His voice vibrating against her pussy was just the impetus she needed to come apart against his tongue. She couldn’t help but tilt her head back as a searing heat coursed through her body. Her senses clouded. Elisabeth screamed his name so loud she was certain that the whole city heard her.

Somewhere inside her head, she could hear Toto whispering something to her. It sounded distant and quiet. After she crested the wave of her pleasure and it started fading, Elisabeth began to understand what he was doing. Toto was praising her, planting kisses on her inner thighs.

— You look so beautiful when you come — she could barely make out his words under her pulse pounding in her ears — The way your face gets flushed, the way your lips part, the way your eyes close. You look even more beautiful than you already are. You look like a goddess, and you’re all mine. Only mine.

Her heart pounded in her chest as it rose and fell with her labored breathing.

His words made her feel something almost more intense than her orgasm. Elisabeth felt like she could melt just listening to him speak.

— Liesl?

— Yes? — she replied dreamily, staring at the bedroom ceiling.

— Do you still want to go to the team dinner? — he asked, his tone light and teasing — We should probably make an appearance. It might be rude otherwise.

Elisabeth pushed herself up onto her elbows with some difficulty. Her body was drained from the intensity of her pleasure, but she was far from over it. Meeting Toto’s gaze, she gave him a naughty smile.

— Fuck the dinner, Wolff.

#toto wolff #toto wolff smut #formula 1 fic #formula 1 fanfic #wlffog #f1 fic #f1 fanfic #natsversion #f1 x oc #formula 1 x oc #toto wolff x oc #scwlff

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chasingpegasus · 2 years

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Hearing rumours about Jean Todt returning to Ferrari as a consultant. It’s a quite popular practice these days, if you look at other teams. Some have legendary drivers, some have Helmut Marko.

It would be beneficial for Ferrari for sure. Though I’m curious to see what Todt’s plans are. Will he seek more power? More money? Multiple jobs? Or will he want to simply decompress a little and just go back to his passions?

I think he loves F1 more than anything and he’d be very happy to stick around and help Ferrari as much as he can.

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ilovejevsjeans · 4 years

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WHY HAMILTON, VETTEL AND RICCIARDO HAVE EARNED A CRUCIAL WIN

Lewis Hamilton, Sebastian Vettel and Daniel Ricciardo have 146 Formula 1 victories between them. They can take a share in another at the British Grand Prix, and the race hasn’t even started yet. But that’s kind of the point.

It’ll be around 17 minutes before the formation lap begins at Silverstone when those three drivers, and others like Romain Grosjean, can take satisfaction in a job well done. That’s when, thanks to F1 and the FIA, a prominent display “in recognition of the importance of equality and equal opportunity for all” will be part of the live TV images before the race for around half a minute.

“As long as we are all there together and get a moment which doesn’t feel forced or rushed, I think that’s most important,” Ricciardo had said on Thursday.

“In Budapest, it was a bit of a mess for the timing so they’ve addressed it now and I think we’ll continue to do as we’ve done just with a little bit more ease and not such rush and chaos.”

It would be disingenuous to claim getting F1’s pre-race anti-racism stand back in a prominent position is the greatest victory of the weekend, and in isolation it might not seem like a win at all.

But F1 was heading down a tricky path in a fractured state and this could be a significant milestone in that journey. And as FIA race director Michael Masi wrote at the end of a detailed set of notes: “I hope the above is clear and provides some clarity and reassurance to the drivers.”

Hamilton, Vettel and Ricciardo have spoken – and acted – with passion and respect on the subject of racism. Others have too, including the next generation of drivers like Lando Norris, but this trio in particular has been at the forefront of consistently explaining why it is important and why it must be continued.

“We cannot ignore what’s happening outside of our racing bubble,” says Vettel.

“And I think the fight against racism around the world that has taken off again in the last couple of weeks and months, I think it is completely justified.

“It is an ongoing process and needs all of us – and that’s not just us racing, I think that would be ignorant – all human beings around the planet to stand up and to try and go against racism, inequality, injustice in any form.

“It is right to try and set the right signs to inspire people because in the end I believe that education is probably the only way out of it.

“It is insanity to think that in 2020 with all the knowledge that we have of the past, and all the lessons we’ve learned that there is still something that does exist that should be out of the question.

“But it’s not, so therefore we need to stand up when we have the chance publicly to send a message – or more so even when the camera’s off and we are living our everyday life and setting the right example, and trying to behave in a way that is right.”

That’s what the official anti-racism ‘ceremony’, held at the season-opening Austrian Grand Prix, was all about – a very strong message to a very large audience. But it was made less formal at the next two races and turned into a bit of a rush. It seemed to slip off the agenda and it emerged that other drivers were happy to let that happen.

It’s one thing that all 20 drivers haven’t knelt so far. But as has so often been iterated, that doesn’t matter so long as the 20 are united for the cause.

If some drivers wanted to just drop it and move on, that shatters the illusion of unity. That all 20 seem set to persevere suggests it was more about not understanding the importance of the issue rather than being against it.

To some it will still look odd to see the majority of drivers kneeling and others doing something else. But we’re making baby steps with this issue, which is how Hamilton sees it – progress.

“I spent time speaking to Jean Todt, spent time speaking to Chase Carey and Ross Brawn and had really great conversations with them to understand what they’re planning and what they want to do moving forward, and to make sure they know that we’re on the same team here,” Hamilton says.

“Things like giving us that little bit of extra time at the beginning before the race, so that we can really show how united we are as a sport – because other sports have done a better job at consistently doing that.

“They’ve been really open-minded and I do think that it needs to continue through the year.

“I believe, at the moment, that’s what we’re going to continue to do. I think there’s been some pushback, from some teams maybe.

“But again, it’s a work in progress to get us all together. And I think it’s going in the right direction.”

Different people have different positions on this subject. Not in the sense that anyone morally decent thinks racism isn’t bad, or shouldn’t be ended. But it’s a fact that not everybody is on the same page with how prominent this issue needs to be or what part F1 can play in making a difference.

That’s what has caused division among the drivers and projects an image that the ‘unity’ everybody speaks of might not actually be there.

“After the first race it was then discussed between us drivers, what do we do moving forward,” says Ricciardo.

“Some were in the mindset of ‘OK, well I’ve done it, so why do we need to keep doing it? I showed the support and that’s it’.

“But I think that’s just a bit of education, and I’m not gonna sit here and say I know more than everyone else about the topic because I don’t – but I feel that it was then time to open up the conversation and say well, these are the reasons why doing it once is not really doing enough.”

It’d be great to see all 20 take the knee before the start but that won’t happen and it probably won’t happen all season long. But whatever those drivers choose to do instead, they should be willing to do in front of the cameras for the remainder of 2020.

“It’s not like if someone passes and you wear a black armband, that makes sense, you acknowledge it on that moment and it’s not like you have to do it for the next year or something,” says Ricciardo.

“But this is a cause that is ongoing, and it’s still very fresh for a lot of people, a lot of parts of the world and I think we need to continue honing in on it, and making people aware of it.

“That’s why just doing it once is not enough. If you just do it once, how much do you really mean it?

“I think you have to continue showing your support and your willingness to do something and make a change.”

At this point the knee issue is a distraction from scrutinising whether F1 is really unified on this matter and serious about it. What’s been put in place for the British GP suggests that is the case, as it was in Austria.

The rest is an issue for the drivers to discuss amongst themselves.

Given taking the knee originated as a statement from NFL player Colin Kaepernick against police brutality and racial profiling in the United States, is it a political statement? Or has it transcended its origins and become a gesture of solidarity? Is it really a very sensitive and divisive gesture in some cultures, as has been protested?

And what of the ongoing co-opting of the Black Lives Matter message, originally and ostensibly a simple, powerful statement demanding people recognise the needless killing of black Americans?

As Hamilton has discovered, the association that message now has with controversial political organisations has split supporters of the same cause into factions.

“I’m clearly for more inclusion and ending racism – this whole messaging and movement in my mind is great, and I think it’s only good that we’re putting awareness on this and spreading the word,” says Haas driver Kevin Magnussen. “And I want to participate in that for sure.

“But I don’t want to become political and it’s difficult for me to know how my actions are being perceived by others. I really just don’t want to go into politics and I don’t want to be seen to support groups or organisations that I can’t stand with.”

His team-mate Grosjean says: “Kevin mentioned really a good point that some of the guys have been afraid of being linked to any political movement.

“I don’t think it’s happening but maybe I’m wrong. I’m not linked to any of the political movement.”

This is a delicate issue but if it wasn’t then F1 wouldn’t need to be getting involved. It wouldn’t be a worldwide problem that manifests itself in all sorts of ways – even creating issues that F1 doesn’t go anywhere near, as plenty of people who criticise the anti-racism movement like to point out by asking ‘why isn’t F1 shining a light on X?’.

The solution to inconsistent messaging can’t be that Hamilton abandons wearing a ‘Black Lives Matter’ T-shirt while others wear one that says ‘End Racism’.

For one thing, apparently the other message is on the back of Hamilton’s anyway. But if the drivers are free to make the gesture they choose there is something insidious about forcing the only black driver in F1 to adapt a message important to black culture to avoid causing a problem.

After all, the whole point of this is not to suggest that white hood wearing neo-Nazis are walking around with nooses in every city across the world, assembling lynch mobs.

It’s to raise awareness of the deep-rooted biases that manifest themselves as systemic racism and troubles that are much, much harder to address and fix – which is why something so absurd as racism still exists today.

“I really don’t understand racism,” says Grosjean. “I really don’t understand that it can exist in that way.

“I never experienced it, and talking to Lewis was very interesting and it’s things that you can’t really even imagine.

“I don’t think it should divide us, if anything it should pull us together and help us with our image to stop that because it shouldn’t happen.”

This is at the heart of the importance of what Grosjean (in his role at the GPDA), F1 and the FIA have done, starting with the British GP. The request of arguably the three most powerful driver voices on the topic has been taken on board and acted on.

All 20 drivers will group together for a cause and doing so prominently will help eliminate the underlying feeling that some don’t want to be there.

In the smallest possible way it will be a test of their commitment to this issue and perhaps by exposing them to it more regularly, much like those watching on television, anyone who does have doubts about why it needs to be continued in this fashion will try to understand it instead of trying to end the process.

“The more of an impact we can have as Formula 1, as drivers, the better it is for all of us and the bigger the impact we’re going to have on the future and people growing up,” says Norris.

There’s a bigger part for F1 to play in this fight, with activities of greater substance being set up in the background.

For now, it’s important for all participants to show they are on the same side. And in that sense, what we witness before the British GP should be considered a win. (X)

#lewis hamilton #sebastian vettel #daniel ricciardo #romain grosjean #dan #lewis #seb #romain #blm #i hate the media all stick to the line that they all care cause clearly some dont #they stand there cause they have to not cause they give shit #and saying its a win #cause theyre all there for a few seconds #you can tell a lot of them dont have much of an understading themselves #anyway some good quotes #long post

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thisdaynews · 5 years

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Formula 1: Refuelling return to be discussed

New Post has been published on https://thebiafrastar.com/formula-1-refuelling-return-to-be-discussed/

Formula 1: Refuelling return to be discussed

By Andrew Benson

Chief F1 writer at Silverstone

Refuelling was last used in F1 in the 2009 season

Formula 1 bosses are discussing bringing back refuelling in 2021.

Jean Todt, the president of governing body the FIA, said he would like to bring back the practice, which was outlawed before the 2010 season.

Todt said a final decision would be made on the basis of a study on the potential effects.

“Personally, I would like to see refuelling, but I am happy to see a study on the positives and negatives,” said Todt.

British Grand Prix coverage on the BBC

Hamilton unhappy with Sunday’s big events clash

Bottas tops British Grand Prix second practice

He said one of the benefits would be that the cars would be lighter at the start of a race as well as smaller.

Drivers such as Lewis Hamilton and Sebastian Vettel have said in recent weeks that the cars are too heavy, as part of a renewed campaign by the Grand Prix Drivers’ Association to influence the future of the sport.

The cars have increased in weight in recent years by as much as 150kg as a result of the introduction of hybrid engines.

“The cars have become too heavy which is something we have discussed,” said Todt, team boss of Ferrari during the team’s dominant era from 2000-2004.

“I am pushing for analysing what it would mean if we introduced refuelling. If we did that you would have a lighter car at the start of the race and a smaller car.”

And he rejected concerns that refuelling would lead to an increase in costs at a time that F1 has just agreed a budget cap for 2021.

“When I hear it will be more expensive it makes me smile,” Todt said. “When I see the size of the [teams’] motorhomes I don’t think it is the price that will be the killer to introducing it.”

Todt said he had been warned that the reintroduction of refuelling would likely lead to teams’ race strategies being too similar to each other but countered that that was a product of there being too much simulation in F1.

However, Red Bull team principal Christian Horner said: “My recollection of refuelling, which was part of the sport when I came into F1, was that it became just a strategic race as to how much fuel you put in at the start. You wouldn’t pass any cars on track, because you would either short-fill or long-fill the car in the pit lane.

“So while it was a fascinating race for tacticians and strategists, it was a very static boring race on track. And that’s why we moved away from refuelling so the drivers had to cope with a heavy fuel-load car and with that came the challenges of having to manage a car that lost 100kg during the course of a grand prix.”

Todt added that he had asked FIA staff to look into whether the number of driver aids in F1 could be reduced.

He said he had been told it would not be possible for a modern F1 car to be driven without power steering.

But although F1 cars do not have common road-car driver aids such as traction control and stability control, he pointed to the fact that most starts were virtually flawless and that cars cannot stall any more as examples of areas where improvements could be made.

His comments come in the context of F1’s plans to make a major change in rules for 2021 to improve the quality of the spectacle.

The cars’ aerodynamics will be changed to allow them to race closer together, and a budget cap and changes to the prize money structure have been agreed in an attempt to reduce the performance differential between the teams.

The budget cap was agreed last month, but the sporting and technical regulations have to be finalised by October.

Todt admitted that the budget cap, which was agreed at $175m (about £140m) a year with exceptions for a number of areas such as the salaries of drivers and top executives, was a compromise.

“Two years ago, I was very sceptical we would finally agree a structure. Is it the best agreement? No. But I think it is the best compromise,” Todt said.

He said he was “expecting a lot of controversy” over whether cap was being effectively policed.

But he added: “But I don’t think a reputable organisation can take any risks of cheating because of the risk of damaging their reputation.”

#discussed #return

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grandpxnews-blog · 5 years

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Top teams happy with 10 teams on grid

New Post has been published on https://grandpx.news/top-teams-happy-with-10-teams-on-grid/

Top teams happy with 10 teams on grid

F1 authorities are looking to add a new team or two to the grid for 2021.

Recently, FIA president Jean Todt said he would “love” to see a full grid of 12 teams, and Liberty Media is actively devising a new Concorde Agreement that would allow it.

It follows the recent trend for the big teams in F1 – Ferrari, Mercedes and Red Bull – to link up with smaller competitors that effectively become ‘B’ teams.

Renault is opposed to the trend.

“It’s already a challenge for a team like us to compete against the top three teams who have 30 to 40 per cent more resources than us,” said boss Cyril Abiteboul.

“But if they are now capable of combining their resources with other teams, or getting the benefit of synergies within the scope of a budget cap, that’s a problem for us.”

He also said it’s a problem for at least “two other teams” in particular, obviously referring to struggling independent outfits McLaren and Williams.

“It’s a serious topic because maybe we are now saying ‘We have three top teams and that will be it’. And anyone joining will have to accept they will not be in a position to be competitive,” said Abiteboul.

With their ‘B’ teams shaping and adding up, Ferrari (Alfa Romeo and Haas), Mercedes (Racing Point) and Red Bull-Honda (Toro Rosso) therefore don’t see the need for new teams in F1.

“I think we are in a decent place right now for formula one,” said Mercedes’ Toto Wolff in Melbourne.

Red Bull’s Christian Horner agrees: “I always go quality over quantity.

“I think we’ve got ten teams that are in pretty decent health at the moment. I think none of those teams that came in a few years ago are still here today.

“I think we’ve got a good balance at the moment. I would prefer that we look after what we’ve got and have good quality and a closer grid than just inviting more entries for the sake of filling the grid and there being more cars to lap,” Horner added.

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funnythingshere0-blog · 6 years

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Racing Roundup: F1 Stewards Have to Stop Handing out Stupid Penalties

New Post has been published on http://funnythingshere.xyz/racing-roundup-f1-stewards-have-to-stop-handing-out-stupid-penalties/

Racing Roundup: F1 Stewards Have to Stop Handing out Stupid Penalties

The JDC-Miller Motorsports “Red Dragon” won the Prototype-class race at Watkins Glen last weekend and will be at CTMP this week. Photo by John Larsen/photograffics.com

One of the reasons people don’t like the Canadian Football League as much as the NFL is because there is a penalty on nearly every play.

No team in the CFL can play a set of downs without flags being thrown everywhere.

The NFL refs can sometimes overdo it but most times they leave the flags in their pockets and let the flow of the games go unimpeded.

The people who run the CFL should take note and tell the referees that people pay to watch the players, not them.

Today, I am making the same suggestion to the FIA. Jean Todt has got to call a meeting of the Formula One “stewards” and tell them to back off. They issued two penalties in particular at the weekend’s race in Austria that were, in a word, stupid. Todt – and I can’t think of anyone else – has to crack down and reset the guidelines for what merits a penalty and what doesn’t. Otherwise, the whole business becomes not only suspect but damaging.

The two penalties I want to discuss today involved Sebastien Vettel and Lance Stroll. In the first instance, Carlos Sainz was through to Q3 and was trying for another fast lap – who knows why? – when he came upon Vettel, who was on a cooldown lap. Sainz had to swerve to avoid the multi-time world champion and clipped the rear of his car, damaging the wing of his Renault.

Vettel said he couldn’t see Sainz coming because the placement of the mirrors on the halo makes it “impossible” to see behind. In addition, his team, Scuderia Ferrari, didn’t tell him Sainz was approaching at a great pace.

Now, I do have to say this: I think the only time drivers should ever be driving slowly in the racing groove is after the checkered flag is thrown at the end of a Grand Prix. Every other time the track is hot during a race weekend, be it during a practice or qualifying, every driver out there – and particularly a world champion – should know it is possible that somebody is “going for it.”

Having said that, being handed a penalty of three grid positions (from third to sixth in the end) following a situation in which there were no real consequences, other than the need to replace a front wing, was pretty draconian. Yes, Vettel finished on the podium but he could have won that race, particularly after both Mercedes drivers were eliminated, and the difference between third-place points (15) and first place (25) could very well prove to be the difference in the world championship, considering how tight everything is this year.

If it’s clearly an attempt to sabotage another driver and it’s done at a point in time during qualifying or the race to have a significant impact on the outcome (remember Michael Schumacher parking his car near a barrier in Monaco in 2006, thus interrupting a qualifying flyer that might have won pole for Fernando Alonso?), then the stewards have every right to throw the book.

But if there’s no real harm or foul, they should stay out of it.

Ditto the situation with Lance Stroll. With four laps left in Sunday’s Grand Prix, Stroll wouldn’t move over to let Sergio Perez past despite being shown the move-over flag. He’d just gone to the pits for fresh tires and was holding his own. It also turned out that his team, Williams F1, had told him to fight to stay in front of Perez. So Lance was caught between a rock and a hard place: obey the blue flag or do as you’re told by your team. So he went with the team.

Now remember: there were four laps left. Whether he got past Stroll or not, Perez would still finish seventh in the Grand Prix. It didn’t matter. If it was near the beginning of the race, fine. Stroll should have been reprimanded. But four laps to go? And Perez will still be seventh?

So the stewards, obviously enraged at the impudence of this child, this 19-year-old little rich kid, came down on him like a ton of bricks. I mean, were talking overreaction here (much like Maple Leaf Nazem Kadri being suspended for three games in the Stanley Cup playoffs after he missed the guy he was trying to hit). They penalized Stroll 10 seconds and put three demerit points on his superlicence.

Take that, you little so-and-so. That’ll show him.

My question today: how can Formula One continue to be the No. 1 motorsport in the world when you have nonsense like that going on? If the crime really and truly deserves a penalty, fine. Otherwise, the stewards should stop trying to make themselves look important.

As my friend Floyd Patterson used to say on CKWS Radio in Kingston, other views are welcome.

WEEKEND RACING, PAST AND FUTURE

It having been a long weekend (happy Canada Day, eh?), the rest of this report will be a combination of what’s significant and what’s coming up with a look back at what happened on the circuits and speedways of the racing world:

As you know, Max Verstappen won the Austrian Grand Prix, with Kimi Raikkonen second and Sebastian Vettel third. For a link to an all-details story, please click here.

Bernie Ecclestone has attended the last two Grands Prix, in France and at the Red Bull Ring. He looks marvelous. His hair is as neat as ever and he’s now sporting a Don Cherry-type moustache and goatee. His glasses are dark-rimmed, he’s immaculate in his appearance and his shoes are as shiny as a mirror. His ex-wife owns the Circuit Paul Ricard, site of the French GP (she got it as part of the divorce settlement) and he’s tight with Dietrich Mateschitz, owner of the energy drinks company and the racing circuit. That explains his presence.

However, Bernie is very much a player. He owns – on his own – several GPs, Brazil being one. I would not be surprised if he still owns all, or most of, the one that’s closest to our hearts here in Canada (hint, hint). And, frankly, with the way things are going with the new company (the disaster that was spectator comfort and access in France and the growing uproar in Miami at the idea of racing in the downtown there), I won’t be surprised in the least if the guy who made F1 what it is today is soon back playing a more constructive role.

This arrived in my mailbox from my friend, Rick Moris:

We’ve heard about the amazing lap that was run in a Porsche 919 last week at the Nurburgring, but have you seen the video? If you want a thrill.. [embedded content]

Formula Electric has found another sucker, er, city to host a round of its series. This time it’s Sanya, China. They used to race in Beijing until that city got smart – along with the rest of the big towns of the world that have gotten rid of his faux series – and told it to get lost.

Don’t forget that Canadian Tire Motorsport Park will be holding a preview of this weekend’s IMSA-headlining Mobil 1 Grand Prix Wednesday night from 5 p.m. till 8 p.m. at Yonge-Dundas Square. Ten drivers – Jan Magnussen, Ricky Taylor et al – will be on hand to meet fans and sign autographs. There will be pit stop competitions and give-aways. I hear Ron Fellows might be there. See you Wednesday evening at the Square.

The excitement of world class sports car racing comes to downtown Toronto at Yonge-Dundas Square with Canadian Tire Motorsport Park’s (CTMP) RaceFest, Wednesday, July 4, 5 pm to 8 pm. RaceFest features prototype & GT race cars, drivers and autograph sessions. There’s chances to win tickets to see the Mobil 1 SportsCar Grand Prix at CTMP, July 5-8. It’s Canada’s biggest sports car race of the year. (CNW Group/Canadian Tire Motorsport Park)The IMSA cars were in action at Watkins Glen last weekend. The league’s PR people report that the WeatherTech SportsCar Championship Sahlen’s Six Hours of The Glen featured outstanding competition throughout all three classes and somewhat surprising winners in at least two of them. (And don’t forget, all these cars and drivers will be coming to Old Mosport.)

The No. 99 JDC-Miller Motorsports “Red Dragon” ORECA LPM2 drivers Misha Goikhberg, Chris Miller and Stephen Simpson took the first victory of the season for an LMP2 car and the first since Renger van der Zande and Marc Goossens took the No. 90 Visit Florida Racing Ligier to the win in the penultimate round of the 2017 season at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca.

In the GT Le Mans (GTLM) class, No. 66 Ford GT co-drivers Joey Hand and Dirk Mueller capped off a tremendous weekend at Watkins Glen for Ford Chip Ganassi Racing. And in GT Daytona (GTD), Turner Motorsport took its first Sahlen’s Six Hours of The Glen win since 2014 with the driving trio of Don Yount, Markus Palttala and Dillon Machavern prevailing in the No. 96 BMW M6 GT3.

The Verizon IndyCar Series, which will be racing in Toronto at Exhibition Place in the Honda Indy Toronto a week from this coming weekend (the Toronto Star is publishing daily stories now through the race weekend in the Sports section), will first be racing at Iowa Speedway on Sunday.

Before the headline race, a company called Classic Racing Times will present “Classic Indy Cars at Iowa.” Featured cars are expected to include the No. 64 Gilmore Brawner/McGee Scorpion driven by the late Art Pollard in the 1971 Indy 500, and a scrupulously-detailed reproduction of the last front-engine car to win at Indianapolis, A.J. Foyt’s 1964 Sheraton-Thompson Special No. 1. Also, on display will be the No. 16 1979 Leader Card Watson Champ Car built by A.J. Watson. Watson was known as the “Wizard of Indy” where cars he built dominated from the mid-’50s through the mid-’60s. Retired racer Pancho Carter will be a special guest. Carter was the first triple crown winner in U.S. Auto Club history (midget, sprint and Silver Crown division titles in one year), the winner of the 1981 CART race at Michigan and the pole sitter for the 1985 Indianapolis 500.

In NASCAR Monster Energy Cup racing, Kyle Busch won the race Sunday at Chicagoland Speedway but Kyle Larson nearly stole it. I didn’t see the race but veteran observers called it the best of the 2018 season, to date. For complete details, please click here.

Follow Wheels.ca on

Source: https://www.wheels.ca/news/racing-roundup-f1-stewards-have-to-stop-handing-out-stupid-penalties/

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ds4design · 7 years

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9 Moments That Defined Michael Schumacher’s Career

Michael Schumacher’s career is remarkable not only for the success he had, but for the way he went about achieving it.

Here are nine moments that defined one of the sport’s all-time great drivers.

Qualifying 7th on debut, Spa 1991

Schumacher could well have won his first Grand Prix

When Bertrand Gachot was imprisoned for assaulting a taxi driver before the Belgian Grand Prix, Jordan needed a replacement. That driver was Michael Schumacher, a highly rated young German who’d been successful in junior formulae and in sportscar racing.

He shocked the grid when he qualified a sensational 7th, four places ahead of his experienced team-mate Andrea de Cesaris. Unfortunately his inexperience with F1 cars led him to burn out his clutch at the start and he retired before the end of the first lap. Incredibly Andrea de Cesaris came close to winning the race – he was catching Senna when his engine blew up with three laps to go. Had Schumacher not retired, who knows where he might have finished?

Despite the issues his talent was obvious, and by the next race at Monza he’d been snapped up by Benetton.

Winning races at any cost, Spa 1995

Hill was unhappy with Schumacher’s driving at Spa in 1995

Schumacher’s drive in the 1995 Belgian Grand Prix was incredible. He’d started 16th but brilliantly stayed on slicks during a rain shower to shoot up to the front, and then managed to prevent Damon Hill from passing him even though he was significantly faster. Hill’s challenge was ended when he had to serve a penalty for speeding in the pits, and Schumacher won the race.

Damon wasn’t happy about some of Schumacher’s driving tactics in the race though, claiming he’d been physically muscled off of the track at some of the high-speed corners. Schumacher thought a bit of contact was acceptable in the conditions but the stewards disagreed, and gave him a one-race suspended ban for overly-aggressive driving.

Dominant in the rain, Barcelona 1996

Schumacher was in a class of one at a soaking Barcelona

Michael was the undisputed number 1 driver in his teams for pretty much his whole career. That meant he had some advantages other drivers didn’t necessarily have, like at the 1996 Spanish Grand Prix, when he spent most of the warm-up trying both his race car and the spare car to see which one he liked the most.

He was also one of the few drivers on the grid to gamble on the race staying wet throughout and he went for a full-wet setup, but that in no way detracts from his performance. He got a bad start and slipped to 9th but was so much quicker than everyone else, and by lap 12 he was in the lead. 12 laps later his lead was 40 seconds and despite running much of the race with an engine problem he was able to win convincingly. It was one of the greatest wet-weather performances of all time and cemented his reputation as the rain master.

Winning titles at any cost, Jerez 1997

“You hit the wrong part of him my friend”

In 1994 Schumacher won his first championship after he collided with Damon Hill. It seemed innocuous enough but what happened three years later would cast some doubt over it, and taint his whole career.

Having dragged his Ferrari into championship contention he was leading the last race of the year when title rival Jacques Villeneuve launched his Williams down the inside. It was a clean move but Schumacher, seeing the championship slip away, instinctively turned in and hit Villeneuve. Unfortunately for Michael he bounced into the gravel while Villeneuve was able to carry on and become champion.

There was no question over Schumacher’s intentions this time round – Martin Brundle famously saying “You hit the wrong part of him, my friend!” on commentary at the time – and he was disqualified from the championship standings altogether.

Winning the championship for Ferrari, Suzuka 2000

Schumacher helped end decades of heartbreak for the Scuderia

After years of coming close to winning the championship for Ferrari, everything finally came together in 2000 and at the penultimate round in Suzuka Schumacher became the first driver to win a championship for Ferrari since Jody Scheckter in 1979.

It was a memorable and emotional moment after years of hard work. It also kick started four more years of near-total Ferrari domination, which was, errm, really really fun to watch.

Really important team orders, A1 Ring 2002

The podium ceremony for the 2002 Austrian GP was a shambles

Everyone knew that Schumacher was the number one driver at Ferrari, and that everything was done with the aim of making him champion, but what happened in Austria in 2002 was totally ridiculous.

The Ferrari F2002 was totally dominant, Schumacher had won four of the first five races and he had a sizeable lead in the championship. At the A1 Ring however it was Barrichello who was on form, had qualified on pole and had lead virtually the whole race with Schumacher in second.

Then, coming out of the last corner on the last lap, Barrichello slowed and Michael went past to win to the utter disdain of everyone watching. Jean Todt’s call to “Let Michael past for the championship” might have made sense near the end of a close season, but six races in to what was already looking like a whitewash? Not good.

Michael then made a scene on the podium by pushing Rubens on to the top step and giving him the winners trophy. Ferrari were fined and for the following year team orders were banned.

A ridiculous strategy, Magny-Cours 2004

Alonso was flawless all weekend but Schumacher and Ferrari were just too good

Though it may seem (slightly) more normal now, in the past if a driver made four pit stops it was probably because they had to fix damage or serve a penalty. An intentional four-stop strategy was unheard of, yet that’s exactly what Schumacher and Ferrari did at the French Grand Prix in 2004.

Although the Ferrari F2004 was one of the most ridiculously dominant F1 cars of all time, that years French GP was being controlled by the Renault of Fernando Alonso, who had qualified on pole and led most of the race. Ferrari knew that the best way to get ahead at Magny-Cours (where it was hard to overtake and the pit lane was short) was through strategy, so they switched to an unorthodox four-stopper.

It worked, Schumacher won the race and F1 fans everywhere just had to accept how seemingly unbeatable the combination of Schumacher and Ferrari had become: it was his 9th win in 10 races.

A last hurrah, Interlagos 2006

Schumacher was on a mission in his ‘last’ race

For all his championships, his dominant victories, his prowess in the wet, his incredible speed and his cunning racing brain, if there was one area where people thought Schumacher might be a bit weak it was his racecraft. On a few occasions in the past he’d found himself down in the pack and struggled. In his first-last Grand Prix, he put those suggestions to bed.

An outside chance of winning the championship turned into a virtual impossibility when he suffered a puncture in the opening laps and dropped to last. From there everyone was treated to an absolutely scintillating recovery drive as Schumacher recovered to 4th place by the end, performing some brilliant overtaking moves along the way. It was a fitting end to the career of one of the greatest drivers of all time.

He’s still got it, Monaco 2010

Although he’d been out for three years Schuey was still on the ball

Of course, it wasn’t quite the end and Michael returned to F1 in 2010 for three seasons at Mercedes. There were fewer successes in his ‘second career’, but there were still highlights, such as his pole lap at Monaco in 2012, or his podium at Valencia that same year, and lowlights, like when he forced Barrichello towards the pit wall at the Hungaroring in 2010.

It was at Monaco in 2010 however that we saw that although Michael was now old, he was still the old Michael. Throughout his whole career he and his teams were known for pushing the absolute boundaries of the regulations and exploiting the faintest of loopholes, and when he overtook Fernando Alonso under the safety car on the last lap of the race to take 6th, all the memories came flooding back.

It was a brilliant bit of opportunism. The safety car rules had changed slightly for 2010 and Schumacher – and indeed most of the other teams – thought what he’d done was legal, but the stewards disagreed and he was penalised 20 seconds, dropping him out of the points.

Keep Fighting, Michael.

The post 9 Moments That Defined Michael Schumacher’s Career appeared first on WTF1.

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