Michael Schumacher, also known as “red baron” is a legendary German Formula One racer, considered as the greatest driver to drive an F1 car. 

Netflix recently released a documentary on the legendary F1 driver called Schumacher. The documentary talks about life, struggle, success, and injuries that impacted the seven-time Formula 1 champion’s career. It is undoubtedly a great initiative of Netflix to enlighten the new F1 enthusiasts who might be unfamiliar with the German phenomenon. Here are 5 things needed to be mentioned from Schumacher:

Shabby kart tires could not dampen the driver’s spirit

Michael Schumacher always had a passion for F1 racing. He was 6 years old when he first won the Kart Championship. His father owned a Kart track so it was no surprise that Michael was into car racing. With his struggling background, Michael often found himself short of money to afford his passion. But that did not wary him. Instead, he would reuse the worn-out tires from the waste and make them as good as new and ready to go. The documentary tells as much with Rolf, father of Michael, tearfully describing the proud achievement of his son coming home with his first professional contract and a promising 2000 marks per month. It was an emotional moment. Thus his humble background turned out to be the real impetus behind his successful career. 

When they questioned Michael’s abilities

Of course, life is not a bed of roses. You cannot expect everything to go with your liking. And so it also happened with Michael Schumacher. Authorities at Ferrari started to question if Schumacher is a weak link in their dream team. This is perhaps the most shocking revelation in the documentary by Jean Todt, who was the architect at the time. Doubts arose, according to Todt, when Ferrari could not win the championship between 1996 to 1998 which led to uncertainties towards Michael Schumacher. Todt was the mastermind behind the recruitment of the fantastic team comprising of Rory Byrne, Ross Brawn, and Schumacher himself. Todt admits that they were thinking of replacing Michael Schumacher with Mikka Hakkinen. But we all saw what this spectacular combination of drivers brought in the game and the winning streak did not break between 2000 and 2004. 

Senna’s fatal death immensely impacted Michael Schumacher

Ayrton Senna’s tragic car crash at the 1994 San Marino Grand Prix was one of the most heart-wrenching accidents in F1 history. Senna was leading Schumacher and Schumacher was defending the championship during the second lap when it happened. Senna’s car came off the track which resulted in a crash and eventually death. The race continued. 

Michael Schumacher did not know of the crash until after the race was over and he won. When he was told, he refused to believe it. Later at the press conference, he broke down so hard, he was a sobbing mess. The death of the former racer haunted him brutally. In the documentary, he admits the horrors he faced after the fellow racer’s death. Michael told he could not stop thinking about his death which led to sleepless nights. He would see the places where he could crash and die. Michael could not shake off the feeling of the uncertainty of death. His insomnia did not let this horrifying thought out of his mind for several nights. It was a shuddering experience for him. 

When he nearly did not go skiing

This was the most interesting fact in the documentary. How the circumstances could either save one’s life but also ruin it and that’s what happened to Michael Schumacher. Schumacher almost did not go skiing where he met his tragic accident. Before going skiing with his friends, he said to his wife that maybe they should fly to Dubai and go skydiving. But the fate was not on their side and instead, Michael went skiing in France with his friends and son. It happened in 2013 in Meribel when it was already said that the snow was not “optimal” yet they went and thus Michael Schumacher met his terrible fate. He fell and his head hit a rock which resulted in severe head injuries and went into a coma (medically induced) for almost 6 months.  

Schumacher’s recovery

The documentary sheds light upon the post skiing accident of 29th December 2013. The gloomy details of the family sufferings and tragedy are left hushed, however, the family’s dealing with the ruthless situation speaks a million. The family of Michael proved to be the most supportive and loving. They did everything in their hands to keep Michael comfortable and in great care. His wife told him that everyone in the family missed Michael like crazy and to make him feel at home. It was a trying time but they got through it. His wife, Corinna, emotionally put forward her feelings and said that her husband is present with them but he is not the same Michael anymore, the Michael he used to be, before the accident. The coma resulted in a long time for rehabilitation. 

He has been living with his family in Switzerland ever since and is receiving medical help continuously since September 2014. Also, it should be noted that being very private and personal about his life, little was known about Schumacher since the incident. The Netflix documentary, however, became our source of information on the health of the acclaimed driver, giving us updates on his health. Michael has had his share of car injuries, reflects his wife, and so, the recovery from the fatal accident did not seem unattainable. The family had faith in Michael because the driver was never disappointed either in the race or in life.