Suffering from ‘Brain Damage’ Michael Schumacher Took $36 Million from Mercedes Only to be Destroyed by Nico Rosberg

Tanish Chachra | 18/05/2023
Suffering from 'Brain Damage' Michael Schumacher Took $36 Million from Mercedes Only to be Destroyed by Nico Rosberg

One unraveled fact about Michael Schumacher, reported by Business F1, is that he suffered ‘brain damage’ from a 2009 bike accident, which apparently ruined his racing form. Despite that, he took the biggest contract in Formula 1 back then from Mercedes, making him the highest-paid driver on the grid in his 40s.

But his return was an utter failure performance-wise. His stint that orchestrated his second coming in F1 didn’t do any good for Mercedes as he never inspired Mercedes to win from his performances.

On the contrary, his much younger teammate and compatriot Nico Rosberg outshined him. Rosberg’s impressive performances against Schumacher only increased Mercedes’ faith in him, which was apparent when he was pitted with Lewis Hamilton in their legendary turbo-hybrid era.

Michael Schumacher’s cerebral damage ensured his decline

As per Business F1, Schumacher suffered brain damage after a bike accident in Spain, near the city of Cartagena. The source quotes Dr. Johannes Peil, who revealed that Schumacher’s one of the arteries to his cerebellum was severed.

It’s further disclosed that it took a huge toll on his brain’s motor functions. Although he made a full recovery by the time he joined Mercedes, he was never going to be like his past self, as he lost the edge of his driving skills.

Yet, he took the $36 million paycheque from Mercedes and returned to F1. However, he never finished a season above P8 during his stint with Mercedes. On the other hand, Rosberg, who was on a $4 million contract, as per Business F1, maintained his edge over the seven-time world champion.

That doesn’t mean Michael Schumacher looted Mercedes

While Schumacher might have lost his racing prowess be it because of age or a bike accident, he still helped Mercedes in their rise. The 91-Grand Prix winner played a pivotal role in Mercedes’ dominance in the following years.

His knowledge and experience of the last two decades inspired Mercedes to orchestrate their climb to the top. This opinion often goes undisputed in the paddock and even Mercedes boss Toto Wolff agrees to it.

At that stage, Mercedes couldn’t have got a better mentor than Schumacher. Eventually that hiring paid off with the Silver Arrows winning straight eight world titles.

Post Edited By: Tanish Chachra
Mercedes Michael Schumacher

About the author

Tanish Chachra

Tanish Chachra is the Motorsport editor at The SportsRush. He saw his first race when F1 visited India in 2011, and since then, his romance with the sport has been seasonal until he took up this role in 2020. Reigniting F1's coverage on this site, Tanish has fallen in love with the sport all over again. He loves Kimi Raikkonen and sees a future world champion in Oscar Piastri. Away from us, he loves to snuggle inside his books.

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