Lesley wrote this week with the following query:
How many times did Michael Schumacher win the British Grand Prix?
Well I can tell you for sure he won in 1998 – because I was there! And it was seriously wet…
That was the first of three wins at Silverstone for the German, and by far the most interesting, because it was the celebrated race he won in the pit lane, controversially serving a stop-go finish after taking the chequered flag. That even tops being pulled out of a barrier by a crane and carrying on racing, in my book.
He won again in 2002 in another race interrupted by rain. On that occasion the superiority of Bridgestone wet-weather tyres made early leader Juan Pablo Montoya easy meat for the Ferrari driver.
His final win in Britain came in 2004. He ran fourth to begin with behind Kimi Raikkonen, Rubens Barrichello and Jenson Button, but his late first pit stop allowed him to vault past all three and thereafter cruise home.
Still, Schumacher did not enjoy quite the kind of success at Silverstone that he did at other tracks, like Magny-Cours, where he won eight times.
Controversy and incident stalked Schumacher at Silverstone. He overtook Damon Hill during the formation lap in 1994, and after failing to obey a black flag, was disqualified and banned for two races.
The following year he and Hill collided while Schumacher was leading. Then in 1999 came the leg-breaking crash that ruined his championship bid.
Got an F1 question that needs an answer? We’ll tackle it.
Related links
- Your questions: Two-hour time limit
- Your questions: Most win/pole doubles
- Michael Schumacher’s stats
- Debate: Was Hamilton’s restart legal?
Tags: f1 / formula one / formula 1 / grand prix / motor sport
Christopher
27th July 2007, 13:59
How on earth did he get away with taking the stop-go penalty after the flag?
Don Speekingleesh
27th July 2007, 15:28
Because the stewards made a mess of issuing the penalty.
http://www.grandprix.com/ns/ns01641.html
Christopher
1st August 2007, 14:28
Thanks!
Anonymous Geronomous
10th July 2011, 15:16
Oh please. Someone else who doesn’t like to give Schumacher the credit he deserves for winning races. Just like DC. Vaulted past and won with ease indeed. It’s called strategy and tactical awareness! Get some perspective, you geezer.