44 replies to this topic

[wembi]

A lot of speculations will be made for a long time on why Michael Schumacher cried after his victory at the Italian GP 2000. Yet no one will dispute the fact that Michael Schumacher's 41st victory was significant on many levels. As he sat there staring at a TV camera, broadcasting his every word, movement and features instanteneously to over a billion people located at the four corners of the Earth, he looked elated yet exhausted. A few minutes earlier, he had stood on the highest march of the podium and wacthed thousands of jubilant Ferrari fans, waving flags, clapping hands and chanting his name, he realized that his achievement of the day, had meant more to them than he could have imagined. He saw his mechanics standing in Parc Ferme', waving the Italian flag and jumping for joy. They too had worked very hard since June. From Jean Todt to the very last mechanic in the engine shop at Maranello...some 500 people...they had all worked hard to help Michael have the best possible equipment to help him be in a position to do what he was born to do : win races. But for 5 races,due to unpredictable circumstances, Michael Schumacher was unable to deliver the one thing that would validate each one of his supporters's hard work, contribution and personnal sacrifices. Each time he failed to deliver, he felt as if he had been trusted with a piece of art made out of refined glass , crafted and carved for hours and with love, and that he had just dropped again. No matter what line of work or who you are or how strong you are, it is never a good feeling inside when you know that you let down people who worked very hard for you simply because they believe in you.

Pressure was also coming from his rivals, especially Mika Hakkinen who had his share of misfortune and pressures at the start of the season, but who was now inching his way into Michael Schumacher's early championship lead. In a Marathon, there is more pain in being caught at the end of the race than of losing the lead of the race at the beginning.

As if to put the dagger in MS's heart, Hakkinen's specular pass at Spa in the last laps of the race, could only lead to more psychological pressure on Schumacher. Had he been trusted with too much? Is he really better than Hakkinen or has he been fooling us all, all this time? The quick tongues were eager to point out immediately that Michael didn't have what it took to be world champion this year. Yet those with better memories and common sense (including Mika Hakkinen, his main rival), were confident that what had happened to Michael Schumacher since Canada 2000 had nothing to do with his immense talent. They were certain that given the right opportunity and some luck, he would challenge for the lead and demonstrate once again why he has been the most electrifying driver in F1 since Ayrton Senna.

As Michael sat there in the Italian press room, he thought of all the pressure that had built insinde of him and that he had tried for 4 months, to keep in check. He felt relief for having delivered a crucial win, not only for his own championship aspirations, but to the many, many people in his entourage, on the Monza track and around the world who have cheered for him. Cheers which he feeds on. At some point during the weekend, he also thought about the fact that it was his first Italian GP since his win in 1998. This obviously led to him remembering that last year, he had missed the Monza race because he had broken his leg in an accident at Silverstone. An accident that could have killed him had a stray tire or a simple piece of suspension, flown back towards his well protected cockpit. Ayrton Senna was not as fortunate...

Michael must have thought during the first lap of Monza 2000, driving behind the pace car: " I must keep my tires warm...don't lose too much tire pressure... remember Imola 94...". Just like Imola in 1994, there was a massive crash right after the start, which unfortunately saw the life of an official taken away. Just like Imola 94, the remaining cars drove behind the pace car for several laps at temperatures and revs unfamiliar to modern F1 cars. Just like Imola 94, the favorite was under pressure to win the race in order to have a shot at keeping his chances of winning the world title. Just like Imola 94, the favorite was behind the pace car and leading the race. But unlike Imola 94, Michael Schumacher was fortunate enough to finish the race...

So as he was asked in the pressroom what significance his record tying 41st victory to the great Ayrton Senna, meant to him...he just bow his head and cried. Ayrton Senna...a man Michael Schumacher respected a lot, admired and that he saw handle the same kind of pressure ( that he has had this year) with dignity, pride and perserverance. A man that many including Michael Schumacher himself, feel to this day that he would, could and should have gone on to win more victories and become the All-time winningest F1 driver, had he been luckier on that fateful May 1, 1994 at Imola. A man that Michael Schumacher was following at Imola 94 and that he saw inexplicably vire off to the right at Tamburello...

Michael Schumacher is proud to drive for Ferrari, proud to have won at Monza, glad to be back in championship hunt and glad to have won again after 5 races without a win. But perhaps what he felt more than anything was...grateful.


Note: Mika Hakkinen understood Michael's feeling and offered his support. I think he too was emotional because he realized that the Universal TV interviewer failed completly to understand the emotional value of the moment. The interviewer line of questioning was rude and down right very unprofessional. Hence, the "silence treatment" he recieved from both Michael Schumacher and Mika Hakkinen. FIA MUST find someone else to fill-in the job, otherwiase every post race interviwe will be as akward and uncomfortable as the Monza one was.

Wembi

[Lamont]

Wembi, nice. As plausible an explanation as any I've heard so far.

But as you say, we'll never really know...

[Zawed]

Reading the post race conference on the Atlas News, it appears the 41st victory and Senna question got Schumi going a bit. Here in NZ, they only showed up to the point where the drivers were asked to speak in the own language, but the article I was reading shows the conference continued after this point.

The interviewer was only doing his job, Wembi, I don't think you should be too hard on him. Schumi is a professional racing driver, so the line of questioning was not really to be unexpected. I must admit it was surprising to see just how emotional Schumacher was, and it must have been difficult to deal with the questions.

[Mecon]

He had just found out that Italian fire marshall Paolo Ghislimberti had been killed and whilst he had equalled Senna,s record it probably brought home the reality of the situation, It does not mater how good you are, it is a dangerous sport and these things can ruin even the most memorable victories, or records.

[Ray Bell]

According to the USGP organisers, he only learned of the death of the marshal hours later. See the other thread.

[mason]

Michael is a hero today and Mika is a classy guy. We're lucky to have such quality men playing the game we like so much. The attacks on these men by folks posting on FAN forums (and they are everywhere!) is, is I don't know, I'm speechless.

[-- GH --]

uhhh I don't understand the whole big deal about MS crying. Yes it shows that "he is human after all"... hum who doubted that?
Being back in the WC running, in front of his (half)home crowd (there was a thread called "is MS italian" or something that I found interesting), putting an end to a stream of bad luck... well that's enough to make someone sob.

Then you add the exhaustion, the relief of finishing the race, the fact that he was alone to finish the race - without barricello support-

then of course the record...

bah, he cried, so what... Mika did the same last year for other reasons

I did a kart race last saturday and was going pretty fast, gaining place like 2 or 3 per lap, then another lame driver pushed me in the grass and as a result I the front bumper was touching the ground. I had to stop for repairs and lost a few places... DAMN I WAS ABOUT TO CRY!!!!
and there was no title, no cup, I wasn't even running for the first place....

Just the competition spirit

[The Kanisteri]

Schumi is CRYBABY!

That wimp ruined Jenson Buttons race!
;)

[andy_bee]

Button ruined his own race, his inexperience showed (and this is from a Button fan) as for Frans, well, you really are a very very sad person

[Em Gee]

Don't forget that MS was directly behind Senna when Senna went off the road at San Marino. I have to wonder if that image came back to him when Senna's name was mentioned in the question.

Well put, Mason, I have been most impressed by both MS and MH over the last few races. Really showing respect for each other, which is great to see.

[Frans MSH]

many things can be on a mans mind.....



...




Was it to steal the Italians hearts at last? who know's? ?? Or is it to get equal with Mika & Rubens? Let's ALL cry once? Who knows? Was it arrogant doing so while asking that question particulairy? Who knows? Why DID he cry? Emotion? Happiness? Sadness?

Let us put in the beginning of this IN FRONT of us that Senna's record was not complete . ... . and that's kinda unfair to put a more than statistical figure behind it....

[Lamont]

Originally posted by Frans MSH

Was it to steal the Italians hearts at last? who know's? ?? Or is it to get equal with Mika & Rubens? Let's ALL cry once? Who knows? Was it arrogant doing so while asking that question particulairy?

Yeah, that's it. He was faking to get people on his side, is that right Frans? God forbid he might have genuine feelings, then it would be more difficult to hate him, right?

[Frans MSH]

"Oh, *sniff sniff* I'm SOOOOOooooooo good man!" *sniff sniff* "Incredible"

"sniff" SNiff"
















.

[wadders]

The person who posted this topic has answered the question I feel. I have read suggestions that MS tears were crocodile tears and werent genuine. BAH

Its great to see 2 great drivers respecting each other and their feelings unlike DC who just opens his mouth.

[dopesmuggler]

I find myself in the bizarre position of supporting Frans.
This thread and this subject are entirely speculative. Only MS can know why he cried, and even he may not understand quite how it happened - he may have been as surprised and baffled as we were. It's one thing to slam Frans for his doctored pictures of "cheating aids", but on this subject we are all equally in the dark. No opinion can be summarily dismissed just because it seems mean-spirited. Voltaire put it best, something to the effect of "I disagree with what you're saying, but I will defend to the death your right to say it." Let's keep our tolerance - especially for topics that are not open to logical or informed analysis. [p][Edited by dopesmuggler on 09-11-2000]

[V Squared]

Michael is just getting prepared for his political career post-F1.

It's kind of like Al Gore at the Democratic Convention in the U.S.

Here's a guy (Gore) whose image is that he's a wooden personality, and whose party is struggling to make a break from Clinton's legacy.

So Gore plants a big one on Tipper on National TV, with millions of viewers watching.

Instantly, his popularity (amongst Women voters particularly) shoots up. He is now a caring romantic guy who loves his wife.

Move forward to September 10.

Michael is the ego maniac who cares little about anything but himself.

Spontaneously getting emotional at the post race press conference.

Instantly, he is human again. We feel for him because he is a sensitive man.


Lets have a look at how his popularity goes up now!!

[BackSpace]

I certainly do believe that this was an emotional reaction
because of the pressure (one more WD title would have been
a dream and I find it very natural.

My only point is why people did not make this kind of
comments when Mika had this kind of reaction last year?
MS's popularity will grow even more now, while after
Mika's reaction everyone characterized him as a "crybaby",
who can not handle the pressure and that he should quit

They are both HUMANS and very good drivers, and that's all!

[130R]

I will say this about MS's emotional outbreak (and Hakkinen's too) :

You don't pick moments like that to break down, they pick you.

[John B]

In addition to what Wembi mentioned, there is some irony in that Schumi tied Senna in the country where AS was killed, in a race that like Imola 94 was also marred by a bad crash at the start and death.

[karim marouf]

Great post Wembi. Nothing more needs to be said.

[vac]

Excellent post Wembi. I think we saw a lot of class on both Shumi's and MH's part. I guess it shows that these two guys know what it's like to have the pressure of the WDC on them. As far as the tears, I agree with everything that you said about Senna. One person in another thread raised the point of shumi knowing that the accident was happening, and also knowing that his brother was in there somewhere - so perhaps he was very grateful that Ralf was there with him. Aonther thing I noticed: he was REALLY happy on the podium - I've NEVER seen him guzzle the champange like he did there. Maybe that had something to do with it.
In any case, I think that it was a grueling day in general and it got the best of him. I thought mika's answer to the reporter "give me a break" was great. The respect between these 2 drivers is amazing to see. Speaking of the reporter - sometimes I wonder what his IQ is. What kind of question is "do you think Michael won because he had the faster car?" DUH!!! His answer was perfect - "a little bit. not much, but enough" Great stuff!! how can people say he's boring??

BTW, I also agree with some sentiments posted here. I find it sad that some posters will stoop sssooooo low to bash drivers. Grow UP!!

[umma gumma]

hey, Frans, I think the new performance-enhancing drugs MS is using these days causes extreme & unpredictable mood swings!!



har har!

[Sean L]

Well here's MS's response to why he cried:

Q. Can you explain why this win means so much to you?

MS: It's obvious why. We are here in Italy. We obviously were in some difficulty in the last races where we haven't been as competitive as we wished to be for whatever reason, and we are back on the road which I think we showed very obvious overall weekend. It's my 41st victory, and the crowd outside just has been amazing. I mean, it's much more than it has been in '98, and it's, I don't know why, but it's simply a lot more, it came a lot more close to me, and it's different. It's difficult to put into words.

Q. Is it a relief that you are back at the front again?

MS: For sure, although I am not at the front. I'm two points behind but now, obviously, we are back on the road for victories. It is a certain relief.

Q. Was your emotional response anything to do with Senna?

MS: I think at certain moments not all questions you care [to put] or which you would like to be answered will be answered. I don't like to go into the detail of this question.

[Frans MSH]

"I don't like to go into the detail of this question."


I do not wanna be rude or something, but I only can think of this is Schumacher's ultimate dream....... going past the best.... statisticly................ He dreamed of this since... well, since 94 I guess... maybe earlier, but earlier he had no right thinking that of course... and no real change thinking/hoping that.

And what he seems to FORGET, is that Senna's record is a incomplete one, ......

But I think this is where Schumacher lives for.... trying to put his name next to HIS!!!!


Why did Schumacher cry? Was it real? Was it fake?

It's still a shame the race wasn't restarted,,,,.....

But we can clearly say, this season will get tight..... and maybe, let me put it like this: MAYBE, Schumacher isn't gonna be able to take it anymore.....

The pressure has come to him...... he never EVER had such pressure as now.. never.. this is ALL new to him.. nobody can say if he's gonna make it, win it, but losing it is more reasonable, according the past couple of years, statisticly..........


;)

[Mat]

First off, Frans, your a bloody goose. Shumacher's career is incomplete too! I've never met anyone as one sided as you, will you just give it a rest!

and.....excellent post wembi. ncie stuff. And I agree with all you are saying. It was a real shock to see MS break-down like that, and I don't think Mika and Ralf new what to do with themselves. Mika was a great man through all of that, you can see Shuey and Mika have a lot of respect for one another. And Ralf, I think he was completely surprised, he tried his best to answer the questions, but you could see his main focus was on Michael.

And of the interviewer. I don't know. He is just doign his job, but I think it is time they got someone a lot more less formal. Someone who get me a bit more laid back and get better answers from the drivers. Liek what we had with Senna, let the drivers feel more comfortable and they will be more relaxed answer a lot more quesitons in depth.

Mat

[Frans MSH]

I have it, [!!!!!]

It came to me and it's crytal clear..........




Schumacher didn't believe he DID win a race LEGALLY! "Sjeeez" he must have thought, "I CAN win without traction control" ..... "What a relief!" "Bohoooooohooo" "sniff" "sniff" "incredible I am, yes?" "sniff" sniff"



And then he broke ..... he did....

So .. .. this must be clear for everybody now, yes?

[arcwulf7]

Actual quote from Micheal picked up through audio enhancement of the tape. "i'm going to get that &%(%$ing Frans, he so unfair to me, sniff, i'm going to tie his *&&%^$%# xxxxs to my diffuser and take him for a tour of Monza"

[Frans MSH]

arc, I think I'm even quite reasonable for the man, STILL!!!

[arcwulf7]

you might be totally unique in that opinion Frans!

[vac]

BEAUTIFUL arc!! I think that's the best explanation we've heard so far!

[mhferrari]

Ayrton Senna.

[Scuderia Grizz]

To mention Schumi in the same sentence as Senna makes me Sick!!!!

[Frans MSH]

you're right Scuderia Grizz, but the reporter DID, so he must have strated crying then........

........

no comparisson/...

& it seems he cheated anyway most of his victory's... so what the hell he's crying anyway?




And face it.... not commenting about it makes him more flexible by "thinking" off an reason afterwards.

doesn't it?

[Daemon]

Who cares Frans, As soon as he stopped crying, he was laughing........all the way to the bank.

[baddog]

scuderia, and thus you reveal yourself. who else would you mention schumacher in a sentence with? the dominant driver of the early 90s with the dominant driver of the late 90s. seems logical to me. all this 'dont mention schumacher alongside senna' makes ME sick

Shaun

[Alena]

I don't think that MS is DOMINATING in late 90s. Good driver, though.

[dbltop]

perhaps he lost a bet when he beat hakkinen? does he have any nuts left?

[baddog]

okay Alena, mid to late 90s then..

strange you dont mind me saying senna dominated the early 90s though ;)

(dbltop, lol)

Shaun

[Gudrun]

Hi wembi,
I could have not said it any better. And to many others:
" If you can't say something nice, don't say anything at all.
Best regards, Gudrun

[dario]

When Senna died, MS won that race and smiled on the podium
When MS cried he did not know about the death of fireman
41st victory is a reason to cry?
Or so many yeras after Senna's death he bacame very touchy?
Come on.
I know that the same people that are attaching Mika last year after his tears in Monza are defending now MS saying that he is showing his human character. But for them Mika was a pussy.
Come on
Double criteria of its ugliest kind.
Nice move from MS on the flying start?
Great isn't it?
But watching the replay: he slowed down, pushed very hard and than slowed strongly again. Why he slowed down twice? Is that OK?
Yes for FIA and MS fans of course.

[Frans MSH]

Shaun, let me tell you Schumacher dominance only was ONE SINGLE SEASON in the mans carreer, where ALL Schumacher/Ferrari fans refering to.


one freaking single year he was dominant.

and you're saying he was dominant in the 90's. You make me laugh. Silly gorl.



ONE YEAR dominant, and sjeeeez he's the best, right!?!?? The late 90's are dominated untill today by one single man: Mika Hakkinen. sorry to say so SHAUN!!!



And indeed, the REASON where Schumacher cried for is simply to PATETIC to even take it seriously, it was to win the symphaty of the tifosi, and sjeeeeeezus.

anyway, if he thinks he can cry himself to the title, well He can watch strangly at the end....

ANyway, cheers

[Frans MSH]

btw Schumacher reveiled why he cried:

Michael Schumacher has said he burst into tears at the Italian Grand Prix press conference because he was so relieved to get his championship challenge back on course.

Television viewers were stunned to see the usually calm and collected German dissolve into floods of tears when he was asked what the victory – his first since June – meant to him. The win also meant Schumacher equalled Ayrton Senna’s record of 41 grand prix wins. Only Alain Prost with 51 has more.

Schumacher explained: "It's obvious why this win means so much. We're in Italy, we have had problems in the last few races when we have not been as competitive as we would wish to be, but we're back on the road.

“Although I am not in front in the championship, this win is a big relief. There's no doubt about that.

“It's my 41st victory and it goes to the amazing fans, who I feel so much closer to, and to the usual 500 people at Ferrari involved in trying to make me world champion again.”

He cried for his victory and "shot" for his title.....

"Booohoooooo, sniff sniff ...trying to make me world champion again. snikk snick" <<< WHAT A REASON TO CRY!

I know some other "organisations" etc. who are trying TO MAKE him worldchamp again.................... starts with an F, ends on a A and in the middle there's a I ........

[baddog]

frans, you understand F1 one a one dimensional level it seems. there is more to dominance than simple statistics on championship victories.

did damon hill dominate f1 ever? no he didnt, but he won the champ in 96. did jacques or mansell dominate? no. one driver has been right at the top level of f1 every year since 1993 while others have come and gone. only one. that is dominance. senna and prost dominated f1. schumacher has been the dominant driver of he last 6-8 years. at least accept this.

Shaun

[Frans MSH]

NO! FRAKING NO NO NO

NO

in 97 not classified, in 96 not in top 2? ok in 98 2nd in 99 not in top 3 even, and '00 :::: we have to see.


deserved 94? NO, not by ramming! NEVER!

95 > that was dominance, just like MANSELL DID dominance in 92, and HILL in 96 and Hakkinen 98 99 and hopefully, let's hope it for the SPORT > 2000 ALSO!

[Hooster]

I think he cried because he realized, almost at that moment that he was going to win the wdc this year.