shumy - tribute (4)

it has been almost full 5 days of tribute to shumy....and for now i think this will be the last one for this week...but this does not mean that its all over for him in my blog..an absolute NO! tapi, will slot in one or two in order for my blog to discuss on other matters :P

as a final tribute for this particular week, lemme describe the best 5 highs and lows of shumy in his career:

The high five

1994-95: The start of the Schumacher era. Michael confirms his early potential with back-to-back titles with Benetton.

His genius behind the wheel against the might of Williams-Renault earns him a multi-million dollar move to Ferrari for 1996 - who see him as its saviour.

2000: The realisation of a dream. Four years on from joining the Scuderia, Schumacher finally delivers the world title.

After final round heartache in '97 and '98, he beats Mika Hakkinen to bring the drivers' crown back to Ferrari for the first time in 21 years.

Spa 2001: Schu knocks Prost off the top
Not content with equalling Alain Prost's tally of four world titles at the previous round in 2001, Michael then proceeds to take Prost's wins record at Spa.

His 52nd victory coming 10 years after he made his F1 debut at the circuit.

Japan 2003: Michael out on his ownAfter equalling the legendary Juan Manuel Fangio's record of five world titles the year before, Michael takes the record for himself in 2003. Young chargers Montoya and Raikkonen take him to the wire, but Schumacher proves he's still the master.

2004: Simply untouchable
Another record breaking year for Michael and Ferrari. 13 wins, 8 poles, 148 points add up to a stunning seventh world title for the 35-year-old German. He becomes the first man ever to win five drivers' titles in a row.

Michael's lows
Silverstone 1994: Schu gets the black flag
The first example of the type of controversy that dogged his career. After overtaking pole man Damon Hill on the parade lap, the German didn't come in for a penalty and was shown the black flag.
A disqualification followed , as did a contentious second half of the season...

Jerez 1997: The wrong sort of history
Some gave him the benefit of the doubt after title-deciding shunt with Hill in '94, but the German was afforded no such luxury this time. His attempt to ram Jacques Villeneuve failed but he still became the first man to be disqualifed from the F1 final standings.

Silverstone 1999: A broken leg at Silverstone
Looking to make it third time lucky in his bid to claim the title for Ferrari, he is out of contention by mid-season after he breaks his leg in a high-speed crash into the tyre wall at Stowe corner.
He misses the next six races and a shot at the world championship.

Austria 2002: Team orders outrage
A major own goal from Ferrari which was condemned far and wide.
Dominating 2002, the Italian squad instructed race leader Barrichello to pull over for his team leader and gift him the win in sight of the flag. If that wasn't bad enough the drivers are roundly booed on the podium by the Austrian fans.

Monaco 2006: Michael under attack
Michael probably thought things couldn't get worse than Jerez '97 but they might just have done here.
He takes a verbal pounding from fellow drivers, former champions and just about the whole paddock after 'parking' his Ferrari at the Rascasse in the dying moments of qualifying. The stewards strip him of pole and send him to the back of the grid.