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He is arguably the most successful Formula One driver ever. He’s had a career full of glories but one that never really stayed away from controversies. Nevertheless, Michael Schumacher‘s achievements remain a benchmark for current and future drivers to achieve. Here’s a list of 5 comeback wins for the German driver where despite unable to start from the grid he took the top-spot on the podium.
5. 1992 – Spa-Francorchamps, Belgian GP
The win that started it all. Schumacher had made his debut at the track in the previous season and to win it was a dream come true for the young driver. Spa weather was at it’s notorious best with wet conditions but Schumacher showed his tactical brilliance as he won from third on the grid. An off-track excursion gave him the opportunity to analyse the state of his team mate Martin Brundle’s tyres. As the damp track dried, Schumacher decided to switch to slick tyres earlier than his rivals, and the opportunistic call paid rich dividends as he won the race by a 36 sec margin over Nigel Mansell.
4. 2004 – Magny-Cours, French GP
The French GP witnessed a see-saw battle between two fiercely competitive drivers as Schumacher won the race from Alonso backed by a tactical game changer from Ferrari,
Another win that was attributed to the strategy and driver skill combo. Ferrari switched from a regular three stopper to a four one on a track that made overtaking notoriously difficult but Schumacher who started second on the grid was moved down the order to eight before he climbed his way past the traffic to fight a battle of nerves and pit-stop strategies with Fernando Alonso. The German emerged victorious that helped him move swiftly towards another driver’s title.
3. 1998 – Hungaroring,Hungarian GP
The win in Hungary was thanks to a brilliant drive from the German and an equally brilliant strategy from Ferrari.
A race that was won thanks to a strategical masterstroke by Ferrari Techinical Cheif Ross Brawn coupled with the driving prowess of Schumacher. Ferrari opted for a three stop strategy to Mclaren’s two for Mika Hakkinen. Brawn decided for an extra stop after the first pit-stop as he asked Schumacher to push the Ferrari to increase the distance. Schumacher drove the wheels off the Ferrari increasing the gap that eventually helped the German make the final stop and still stay ahead, winning the race by a comfortable 9 sec margin. The virtuoso performance had kept his hopes alive for a third Championship and cut down on the lead by Hakkinen.
2. 1996 – Circuit-de-Catalunya , Spanish GP
The first win with Ferrari was a special one and the first of many to follow but the conditions in which Schumacher won the race made it even more special.
His first win for the prancing horse team and one of his finest one’s in a marvelous Formula One career that earned him the sobriquet ‘the Rainmaster’. He started from third on the grid and despite a poor start in treacherous conditions. The track was nearly flooded with rain-water but Schumacher was determined to win as he drove to a stunning win lapping every driver barring the one’s alongside him on the podium clearly justifying that the two driver’s titles at Benetton were no fluke.
1. 1995 – Spa-Francorchamp, Belgian GP
Despite the race being a controversial one, Schumacher proved his driving prowess as he moved-up the grid from 16th to take the Chequered Flag on his favorite track .
Spa holds a special meaning for Schumacher as he made his debut at the historical track not to mention some of his most famous wins have been at the scenic and challenging Spa- Francorchamps circuit. This one remains one of the best races of the legendary driver as he qualified 16th on the grid amid wet-dry conditions and went on to win the race. But while he drove a splendid race, which witnessed frequent changes in weather conditions as expected at Spa, the race was marred by controversy. The race leaders kept changing after every few laps but the final battle came down to Schumacher and Damon Hill fighting it hard to take the win. Both needed the win badly to gain a upper-hand with a view at the Championship. The rain made things difficult for both the drivers as Schumacher defended his lead from Hill on slick tyres. Though Schumacher was successful in maintaining the lead and taking the win, his defending at high-speed didn’t go down well with Hill and the stewards as he was slapped with a one-race suspended ban for preventing Hill from overtaking.
