Lewis Hamilton has penned a moving tribute to Formula 1’s original seven-time world champion, Michael Schumacher, as a foreword to an upcoming book dedicated to the German ace entitled ‘World Championship Cars – Michael Schumacher’.
Authored by motoring journalist Elmar Brümmer and Schumacher’s long-time confidant Sabine Kehm, the book delves into the machines that powered Schumacher to his seven world titles from 1994 to 2004.
However, the volume is more than a technical retrospective on the cars that defined Schumacher’s career; it’s a testament to the character and spirit of a driver who inspired generations.
Supported by stunning studio photography and personal insights, the book offers fans a unique opportunity to relive Schumacher’s journey through both his extraordinary machines and the stories they tell.
Hamilton’s poignant foreword begins by cementing Schumacher’s place in the pantheon of Formula 1, then cites his remarkable traits, which the Briton praises as benchmarks of greatness.
“Michael is among the legends in our sport. When you grow up with passion for motorsport, you always look up at specific people, and without doubt Michael was a role model for young drivers.
"His speed, his work morals, his determination and consistency - the length of his career and his top performance can only be admired."
While Schumacher’s accomplishments in Formula 1 are extraordinary, Hamilton’s words of recognition focus on a more personal dimension.
He emphasizes that Schumacher’s true legacy lies in the values he embodied and the life he built outside of racing.
“When it comes to Michael's legacy, however, I focus on him as a person rather than a competitor. It's not about titles or trophies, but about the family that he and Corinna created together.”
Hamilton’s reflection reveals a deep respect for the Schumacher family’s resilience and unity, qualities that transcend the often-cutthroat world of motorsport.
“Their greatness, their humility and their sincerity say much more about Michael's values than I ever could,” he added.
Hamilton and Schumacher share an extraordinary connection as the only drivers in Formula 1 history to win seven world championships.
The Mercedes driver equaled his former rival’s record at the 2020 Turkish Grand Prix, a moment that solidified their shared legacy at the pinnacle of the sport.
Though their paths to greatness were unique, the parallels between their careers are striking. Schumacher’s reign of dominance included five consecutive championships with Ferrari from 2000 to 2004, a feat that remains unmatched.
Hamilton, on the other hand, achieved much of his success during Mercedes’ hybrid-era supremacy. But from 2025, the 105-time Grand Prix winner will seek to follow in Schumacher’s footsteps and bring the Scuderia another title – something only Kimi Räikkönen has managed since Schumacher’s era of dominance.
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