Michael Schumacher’s legendary status can be attributed to his impressive track record in Formula 1: 7 World Championships, 91 Grand Prix victories, 155 podiums and 68 poles bit.
With the 2023 Formula 1 season kicking off this weekend in Bahrain, I thought it would be the perfect time to show my visit to the Michael Schumacher Private Collection.
The permanent exhibition at Autoworld Cologne, Germany includes some of Schumacher’s original race cars, as well as racing memorabilia, personal items and more.
The exhibit begins with cars from Schumacher’s pre-F1 era, namely his 1988 European Formula Ford and 1989 Formula 3 Reynard 893. After the latter’s two victories and seven podiums, Schumacher missed the German F3 title in 1989 by just one point.
At the other end of the hall, you’ll find Schumacher’s 1991 Group C endurance car, the Sauber Mercedes-Benz C291, powered by a 3.5-liter V12 engine producing 600 horsepower. As it turned out, this machine was the perfect preparation tool for Formula 1 racing.
Schumacher’s 100cc Tony Kart also made an appearance.He once said that karting is “Elementary school in motorsports, especially driving feel, dueling behavior and understanding of overtaking. There is no better school.”
Even after becoming Formula 1 world champion, Schumacher would still spend hours driving his karts.
Michael Schumacher’s Formula 1 story begins with the spectacular Jordan 191 – specifically the 1991 car in bright green and blue 7UP livery.
Schumacher was given a one-off chance to drive the car at Spa-Francorchamps, and this quote from the interview proves that he already had a will of steel: “The initial test was scary on the first lap, but then at Spa it was like I’d never done anything else. Driving the Eau Rouge in that car, that downforce was a crazy feeling. The feeling of firing on all cylinders is definitely the strongest feeling I’ve ever known before that.”
He made a sensational seventh place, but unfortunately, Schumacher’s race was over after just 500 meters due to a clutch failure.
Nearby, I found two Benettons – a 1992 B191B in Camel livery and a second winner, the Mild Seven B195, in 1995.
The most iconic Benetton is perched on a column next to the museum’s central staircase – the 1994 Triumph B194 car. Schumacher won eight races during the ’94 F1 season, including the tragic San Marino Grand Prix, his victories overshadowed by the tragic deaths of Ayrton Senna and Roland Ratzenberger Roland Ratzenberger).
Schumacher’s career at Ferrari began in 1996 with the F310, which the German described as rather mediocre. He finished third in his first season at Ferrari, while Damon Hill became the first son of a world champion to also win a Formula 1 title (Damon’s father Graham in 1962 and 1968. win the championship).
Since then, the exhibition has become a sea of Rosso Corsa red.
It all started after a forgotten year in 1997 (Schumacher was disqualified for his conduct at the season-ending European Grand Prix following a collision with Jacques Villeneuve) and average success in 1998 and 1999 Click for Ferrari and German drivers.
From 2000 to 2004, Marlboro Red became a dominant force in Formula One, winning five back-to-back titles for Schumacher.
In 2005, Fernando Alonso and Renault finally paid the price for their winning streak. Alonso and Renault again claimed the Formula 1 title in 2006, with Schumacher retiring at the end of that season.
Of course, Schumacher announced his return a few years later with the greatest comeback in Formula 1 history, but this time for the 2010 season with the Mercedes GP Petronas F1 team. He battled Mercedes for the next two titles before retiring again at the end of 2012.
The following year, a skiing accident completely changed Schumacher’s life.
When my time at Motorworld came to an end, I started to miss a lot of the time I spent watching Formula 1 as a kid. Back then, Schumacher was at his peak, winning one championship after another. Here I am, surrounded by the real cars that he has achieved such great things.
From a pragmatic point of view, I’m amazed that this museum is free for anyone to visit. It’s a heartwarming experience for any seasoned Formula 1 fan, and I hope the thousands of visitors to the Cologne-Rhineland Motorworld for the Michael Schumacher Private Collection Legendary characters bring a lot of positive energy.
Vladimir Lyadov
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