Michael Schumacher has been in a coma for about 3 months now after an unfortunate skiing accident in which he suffered serious head injuries. But the German has during his career given legions of his fans umpteen moments that will be cherished forever.Here, we take a look at Schumacher's top 10 moments from his F1 career.
#10 Belgian GP, 1995 - first glimpse of \'King of the Rain\'
Spa was probably Schumacher's favourite track and the Grand Prix in 1995 showcased everything that Schumacher was about. Extremely competitive, not willing to give an inch and playing right on the edge of the rules.
Schumacher started the race in 16th position and went on to win it after an intense battle with Damon Hill where the pair went wheel-to-wheel more than once. It was the race which probably went a long way in Schumacher being given the nickname "Regenkonig' (King of the rain).
#9 Monaco GP,1996 - stunning qualifying lap
At one of the most iconic circuits in Formula 1, Schumacher, now with Ferrari, produced a qualifying lap which elicited a rare smile of appreciation from boss Jean Todt.
Schumacher drove an incredible final sector and managed to take off more than half a second off Damon Hill’s best time.
#8 Australian GP, 1994 - controversy beckons
If there was a compilation of Schumacher's most controversial moments on the race track, the incident from Adelaide in 1994 would top the list.
It was the last race of the season and Schumacher was leading the World Championship. But Damon Hill was just one point behind him in second.
In the 36th lap of the race, just when Hill managed to get ahead of the German, Schumacher closed the door on him and the two collided. Schumacher went out of the race immediately, but so did Hill after suffering damage on his front suspension.
Schumacher's win-at-all-costs attitude was on display like never before.
#7 British GP, 1998 - Victory in the pit lane
At Silverstone in 1998, Ferrari and Schumacher used a loophole in the rule book to maximize their own chances of winning.
Schumacher was given a a stop-and-go penalty and the team chose to serve it on the last lap of the race. The catch was that the finish line was active even in the pit-lane and Schumacher had crossed it to take the race win before he went on to serve his penalty.
While that may not have been the most sportsmanlike way to clinch victory, it certainly was smart thinking!
#6 Spanish GP,1994 - driving with a broken gearbox
Imagine having to drive 40 laps with the gearbox broken and being stuck at fifth gear, and still finishing 2nd!
Schumacher did the unthinkable at Catalunya. One of those races which showed the greatness of Michael in spades.
You simply cannot imagine any driver attempting to do this in the modern day.
#5 Belgian GP, 1993 - pulling off a daring overtaking manoeuvre on Senna
They say genius is visible at a very early age. It was true in the case of Schumacher too.
In only his second full season in Formula 1, Schumacher refused to give an inch to the great Ayrton Senna despite being pushed on to the grass. Driving in Benetton, he managed to overtake Senna and finish the race in second place, which signalled his coming of age.
#4 Italian GP, 1998 - establishing a legacy with Ferrari
It is a race that every Ferrari fan will remember like it happened yesterday.
After a poor start, Schumacher was 3rd behind the McLarens of David Coulthard and Mika Hakkinen.
Coulthard, in the lead, went out with a blown engine and Schumacher then pulled off a brave overtaking move on Hakkinen to take the lead even as the Monza crowd went delirious with joy. Holding out for victory from there, Schumacher established himself as a popular champion with this win.
#3 Monaco GP, 2012 - clinching pole position at the age of 43
The now veteran Schumacher, aged 43 years old, put on a stirring display on the famous Monte Carlo circuit to clinch pole position in Q3. While he started the race only in sixth position because of a penalty that had carried forward from the previous race, his qualifying run was stunning and heart-warming at the same time.
Class, as they say, is permanent.
#2 Italian GP, 2000 - emotional press conference
It was a different side of Schumacher that was on display at the press conference at Monza in 2000.
Usually considered a stone-hearted competitor who only cares about winning and nothing else, Schumacher broke down uncontrollably in the press room after clinching a 41st race win which put him equal with the late Ayrton Senna on the list of drivers with most race wins.
It was a very emotional moment for Michael and the Formula 1 world as a whole.
#1 All-conquering 2002 season
Schumacher had probably the single most dominant Formula 1 season of all time in 2002.
The German won 11 races, clinched the title with 6 races to go and finished on the podium in all 17 races.
The King was at his dominant best in the Prancing Horse and his run awed and amazed scores of people around the world.
