Michael Schumacher a “thief” – Former F1 employee opens up

Ten years have passed since Michael Schumacher's severe skiing incident, yet he still garners much attention and admiration in the motorsport realm. In recent news, Norbert Haug, the ex-head of Mercedes F1, disclosed his opinions on the German icon. However, an ex-Formula 1 worker who collaborated with Schumacher and other racers shared a comical and intriguing story that displayed a unique aspect of the fierce competitor.

In a serene December morning in the French Alps, Michael Schumacher, a skilled skier, was having a family vacation in the charming ski destination of Meribel. Along with his son and buddies, he explored the off-piste zones of the mountain, famous for its demanding landscape. Unfortunately, even though he had a helmet, Schumacher had a terrible mishap when he collided with a rock. The collision led to severe head harm and became an important moment in his life.

Rapid Medical Intervention

Schumacher was flown by helicopter to Grenoble Hospital where he received important medical treatments. These treatments were intended to reduce the stress on his brain and extract blood clots. To assist him in getting better, he was put into an induced coma, which was crucial in stabilising his status and helping him recover.

Norbert Haug, who was once in charge of Mercedes and played an important role in motorsports, recently talked about his own first-hand experiences and recollections of Schumacher. Through his words, we were able to get a sneak peek into what the F1 legend's career possibilities and leadership skills could have been.

Haug's Thoughts On The Mishap

After thinking about the crash, Haug stated that it was extremely serious and showed how life can be uncertain. He affirmed that Schumacher was not someone who took unnecessary risks while driving and he admired his skills in keeping control and making smart decisions.

During Schumacher's healing process, his relatives, including his child Mick, have displayed resilience and togetherness. Haug demonstrated esteem for how they managed the predicament and their choice to hold onto the secrecy of Schumacher's well-being.

Mick Schumacher's Motorsport Future

Haug discussed the potential of Mick Schumacher and his recent shift to the World Endurance Championship (WEC). He thinks that Mick has the opportunity to establish a strong basis for his career in the WEC, even with the difficulties he's had as a consequence of his father's mishap.

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While spending time at Mercedes, Haug got to see Schumacher's exceptional leadership qualities up close. He observed how Schumacher was very supportive and encouraging towards young drivers such as Timo Glock and Sebastian Vettel. According to Haug, Schumacher's collaborative approach and ability to think strategically would have made him an outstanding manager if he had decided to pursue that career path.

Even though Schumacher didn't win any more races during his comeback with Mercedes in Formula One, his contribution in the team's advancement was pivotal. Haug emphasized Schumacher's efforts in establishing the groundwork that paved the way for Mercedes' triumph with Lewis Hamilton.

"Schumacher: A Culinary Adventure"

Dave Freeman, a former sushi chef for Formula One teams like Honda, shared with the BBC his interesting experiences with Michael Schumacher. Even though he wasn't employed by Honda at the time, Schumacher - a well-known fan of Japanese food - would frequently enjoy the sushi dishes created by Freeman during his tenure at Ferrari.

Schumacher's physiotherapist, Balbir Singh, often brought him sushi plates following qualifying sessions, evidencing the driver's gratitude towards Freeman's culinary mastery.

According to the chef, the person mentioned had no affiliation with Honda, but had a fondness for Japanese cuisine. The chef added that the individual's physiotherapist, Balbir Singh, would frequently visit and bring him sushi plates after qualifying rounds.

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Lost Plate: An Unfortunate Incident

Freeman shared a funny story about Schumacher and some Japanese sushi he had made specifically for him. But things quickly changed when Schumacher's mother sadly passed away while he was at a race weekend in San Marino. Despite this, Schumacher managed to eat from Freeman's plate on Saturday before rushing off to be with his mother. He came back the following day and still won the race. In the midst of all this, Freeman's plate went missing.

Freeman asked Balbir about the location of the plate, and Balbir replied saying that Schumacher had taken it to his home. Freeman made a lighthearted remark about the plate's price, which resulted in an unforeseen yet entertaining outcome.

"On Saturday, he consumed my meal and then departed to reunite with her. The following day, he returned and emerged victorious in the competition," Freeman reported.

"I didn't receive my plate after the race had ended. As a result, I approached Balbir and enquired about it, asking where it was. In response, Balbir informed me that Michael had taken the plate with him on the plane and it was currently at his residence. I lightheartedly commented that it cost me a hundred, despite the situation."

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Unmanageable Debt, Unforgettable Impact

In just five minutes after Freeman asked, a member from Schumacher's team came with a cheque book to pay for the "debt" of the plate. Freeman found this amusing. At a later time in Monaco, Freeman playfully accused Schumacher of being a "thief" for taking the plate, which resulted in laughter from both parties.

Freeman remembered, "Sometime after that incident, I encountered Michael in Monaco and jokingly asked him, 'Where is my plate, you burglar?!' We both found it amusing and laughed heartily over it."

The fun and easygoing conversation between the cook and the race champion displays Schumacher's humble demeanor and talent to have a good time.

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Remembering 2003's Epic Season Finale

Freeman shared a significant memory from the thrilling final race in Japan during the 2003 season. The race was intense as Ferrari and Williams fought for victory. Schumacher showed his gratitude by inviting Freeman, who worked for Williams at the time, to take a photo together.

Freeman recounts that the final race proved to be a thrilling showdown between Ferrari and Williams, leaving everyone on edge with anticipation.

Wearing his Williams outfit, Freeman went into the Ferrari garage where Schumacher thanked him and stood for a photo.

Balbir entered our recreational vehicle and informed me that Michael wished to take a picture with me. I was dressed in my Williams attire and proceeded towards the Ferrari garage. Michael greeted me and expressed his gratitude, suggesting we take a photograph together. After obtaining the picture, I had it beautifully framed and Michael kindly gave a signature including the message, "for my sushi."

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This story really shows us the more personal side of Michael Schumacher, which is often ignored due to his reputation on the race track. Freeman's recollections give us an image of Schumacher as a regular individual who, in addition to his racing successes, took pleasure in simple things like sushi and had moments of laughter and gratitude.

As Schumacher remains highly respected in the world of F1, narratives such as Freeman's contribute to the legendary heritage and prompt us to recall the complex aspects of sports icons.

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Mercedes' New F1 Car Concept Raises Concerns

This week's big story was about Red Bull's upcoming car for 2024. Unfortunately, their RB20 chassis didn't make the cut during the initial testing phase. In order to pass, the design must meet the FIA's safety standards, specifically in regards to how well it can protect the driver in the event of a high speed collision.

Red Bull recently encountered an issue as they were designing their 2022 vehicle. This problem occurred just 56 days before the start of the Bahrain Grand Prix, which is an unfavorable situation.

Meanwhile, Mercedes is attempting to bounce back from their... Continue reading about this topic.