F1: Top 5 Rivalries of Michael Schumacher.

The most successful driver in the history of the sport, with 7 championship titles, 91 Grand wins titles and setting 77 fastest laps in the course, the retired German legend has already raised the bar too high for anyone to catch up any time soon. Arguably one of the greatest F1 drivers, Michael Schumacher, is known for his controversies along with his prolific career. Rivalries being collateral damage of controversies, the German legend had a lot of them throughout his 18-year long career. Despite his dominance during his span of time, he had competing rivalries throughout, without whom he could have roped in two or more championship titles back to his name.

Here are the top 5 rivalries of Michael Schumacher

#5 Senna vs Schumacher

Ayrton Senna and Michael Schumacher celebrating together

The three-time world champion, Ayrton Senna who lost his life at the 1994 San Marino Grand Prix while racing, is till date regarded as the GOAT (Greatest of All Time). Ayrton Senna was the original Rain Master as he had an impeccable control over his car, back then when cars had no electronic telemetry involved. His tragic death put an end to a potential rivalry between him and Schumacher. The rivalry came to an end even before it started igniting. This rivalry can be compared with Muhammad Ali vs Mike Tyson debate, though the successor here has outperformed the predecessor, comparison of two different geniuses of different times is always a non-stop debate.

Back in 1994 when Schumacher was an upcoming star, he was competing against the established star Senna in the sport, be it the overtakes during 1994 Brazilian Grand Prix when Senna outclassed Schumi or at France the same year when Schumacher had taken the Brazilian out on the first lap of the race. None did expect that the fascinating rivalry of two-and-a-half seasons, which could have grown fiercer in the following years would come to a halt in a tragic way. Michael Schumacher dedicated his 1994 championship triumph to the Brazilian legend. Six years later, Schumacher broke down in tears at the 2000 Italian Grand Prix press conference when he equaled Senna’s tally of 41 wins. These incidents establish that Schumacher himself deeply admired and respected Senna despite the healthy rivalry amongst the pros.

#4 Hill vs Schumacher

Damon Hill and Michael Schumacher at their early stages of career

After the tragic exit of Senna, it was Damon Hill who was challenging Schumacher for four to five seasons. The collision between Schumacher and Hill at Silverstone, 1994 season finale would always be brought up whenever anyone speaks about collisions in Formula One. It was such a controversy. Both were chasing their first World Championship title in 1994, at Adelaide Australian Grand Prix, on the 36th lap of the race Hill who was 9 points behind the championship title took his chance to cut inside of in turning Schumacher, ended up retiring from race while Schumacher hit the tire and slowed down, however, went on to win the race and championship.

The rivalry undoubtedly intensified over the following years, the Englishman took himself and Schumacher out into retirement twice at Monza and Silverstone in 1995 season. After the blocking maneuvers displayed by Hill in 1998 Canadian Grand Prix, Schumacher went on to the extent of even barging into the Jordan garage to demand his brother Ralf to take on the lead over Hill.

#3 Villeneuve vs Schumacher

Jacques Villeneuve and Michael Schumacher rivalry at its peak

Jacques Villeneuve son of Gilles Villeneuve, whose name is used for the Montreal circuit, considers his 1997 championship title as his career highlight which he won surpassing Schumacher. The rivalry was on when the pair was fighting for the 1997 championship, once again Schumacher was involved in a collision at the title decider, this time he was at the receiving end though. Similar to his crash with Hill, Schumacher on lead was trying to be overtaken by onrushing Villeneuve ended up crashing and put off the Ferrari off the grid.

“Michael isn’t a great champion because he’s played too many dirty tricks” proclaimed the 1997 championship winner reminding about the title decider, the 1997 Jerez race. The rivalry lasted long enough till 2006 season, Villeneuve always had his mouth full of critics against Schumacher. This rivalry proved that when someone tries to take out in a title decider they tend to remember it forever.

#2 Alonso vs Schumacher

Fernando Alonso and Michael Schumacher - a healthy rivalry

Alonso-Schumacher kind of rivalry is such a healthy one that can be boasted all over the sporting arena. 2005 San Marino Grand Prix was the first race when Alonso was able to go past Schumacher after coming a close number of times back in 2004 French Grand Prix, 2003 British and Spanish Grand Prix. Following year Schumacher settled his score with Alonso at the same San Marino Grand Prix, where Alonso was overtaken by the German after a debatable pit stop which sealed a home win for Scuderia.

Fernando Alonso has been Schumacher’s successor twice when he was part of Renault (previously Benetton when Schumacher was part of it) and when he replaced Kimi Raikkonen for Ferrari. Apart from the Imola races, the 2006 Italian Grand Prix at Monza was a defining point in their challenging rivalry. Their battle for 3rd place was neck to neck until Alonso’s machine faced an engine failure, which made it easy for the retiring veteran to grab the win.

#1 Hakkinen vs Schumacher

Every Formula One fan would say Mika Hakkinen and Michael Schumacher when you ask for a top rivalry pair. Their rivalry was more or less a fair contest amongst passionate drivers stretching back to 1990 Macau Grand Prix F3 racing, where Schumacher won the race after colliding with his counterpart thereby ending his race. The heat carried forward to F1 as well, for three seasons from 1998 to 2000 the German and Finn fought head to head peerlessly.

Their rivalry reached the peak at Spa circuit during 2000 Belgian Grand Prix when Hakkinen went on to win the race from pole after an off control spin off the track. Schumacher finished at 2nd place 1.1 seconds behind him, after being overtaken by Hakkinen at the 40th lap after a minor accident which damaged Finn’s front wing. Though Hakkinen started to fade away after his consecutive championship titles in 1998 and 1999, Schumacher considered him to be the greatest rival of his entire career.

Edited by Shahid Salman