Lewis Hamilton or Fernando Alonso, idols of today’s generation, have often been vocal about how they take inspiration from the great Ayrton Senna and not Michael Schumacher. Despite having more wins and championships, Schumacher is almost feeble against Senna regarding legacy.
Hamilton has always been vocal about how he saw Senna racing in his childhood and grew up idolizing him. And the Brazilian’s death in 1994 almost shattered him into pieces.
Leaving him aside, two-time world champion and ever-famous Fernando Alonso also holds the three-time world champion as his idol. So do this generation’s drivers, Daniel Ricciardo and Charles Leclerc.
The brilliant Senna is an idol for all of them, not Schumacher. Despite having the second-best statistics in the game’s history, very few idolize the German star. Why’s that? Prominent journalist James Allen reveals.
Journalist reveals why Senna gets the upper hand over Schumacher
In his Michael Schumacher: The Edge of Greatness book, James Allen explained that the German had a bit of devil in him. This is the reason why many people are unwilling to forgive him and don’t hold him as an idol.
Combining the devil that was inside, he had “meticulous dedication to his craft” and the “quest for perfection.” Furthermore, Allen wrote that Schumacher didn’t have Senna’s raw passion or sense of style.
Instead, the 54-year-old’s hallmarks were his precision, hard work, and discipline. Admittedly, these are the qualities that don’t win hearts, wrote Allen.
The former BBC commentator also noted that Schumacher had a ruthless attitude which allowed him to keep his emotions in check, and he was merciless when competing. All of these, combined, made Michael Schumacher an absolute beast, but certainly not a loved one or idolized one like the late Ayrton Senna.
Schumacher believed he was never wrong
The documentary named Schumacher on Netflix showcased how ruthless and, at times, adamant the seven-time world champion was in his career.
One such example was the 1998 Belgian Grand Prix when Schumacher crashed at the back of David Coulthard’s McLaren while trying to lap him. But he was in no mood to accept his fault.
Following the incident, they were both called on Bernie Ecclestone’s bus. He was asked to take the responsibility equally there, but denying that, he said he was never wrong.
There was one more occasion when he turned into Jacques Villeneuve in 1997. But he was convinced that he had done nothing wrong, and Villeneuve was at the wrong end.
These were two or three incidents in his career where Schumacher’s commitment, competitiveness, and dedication went a step too far, bringing out the ugly beast in him.
