27 replies to this topic

[Ellen2]

Michael Schumacher has admitted he was shattered when his hero Ayrton Senna was killed at Imola six years ago.

The normally calm Schumacher shocked the world at Monza last weekend when he broke down after winning a race marred by the tragic death of a marshal. Now he has admitted those tears were not the first he had shed during his Formula 1 career.

The German said he cried when he was told Senna had been killed at the San Marino Grand Prix. The great Brazilian had been his role model since he first saw him in karting in 1980.

Schumacher recalled: “I saw this guy. He was so crazy, yet the way he drove was so impressive. I didn’t know who he was and the next day I looked in the paper to find out.

“It was Ayrton. After that he became my one idol.”

But when Schumacher, nine years Senna’s junior, graduated to Formula 1 in 1991, the pair did not always see eye to eye, clashing on and off the track.

The German said: “There were many circumstances where I felt I was not respected at all by Ayrton. But we got on well at the end.”

Schumacher said he now regrets the fact he did not attend Senna’s funeral.

He said: “There were reasons why I did not go to the funeral. At the time my feelings were confused. But now I regret that I wasn’t there.”

[The RedBaron]

I never would have thought Senna was his idol until now. I wasn't quite sure who his F1 idol was to be honest. It kind of explains some of his driving behaviour.

[Ellen2]

“I saw this guy. He was so crazy, yet the way he drove was so impressive. I didn’t know who he was and the next day I looked in the paper to find out. It was Ayrton. After that he became my one idol.”

I guess it tells it all!!!!!!


Just curious to see how Molive will handle the fact that SChumacher agrees with him.........;)

[Ali_G]

Well there weren't many great German drivers during the eighties. I suppose it was either Prost or Senna and he picked Senna.

Niall

[Peeko]

Nial, Senna was his idol from 1980 on.

[molive]

Ellen2,

A lot of people fail to realize the impact that Senna´s death had on so many drivers. Prost, for once, said he would consider coming back to racing some day, but after Ayton´s passing he promptly gave up on the idea. Nikki Lauda said he lost interest for F1 (or something to that effect). It´s not surprising to me that MS also felt the impact of such tragic death. The only thing that surprises me is the timing and the way he decided to share this feelings with the World. I can´t help being a bit skeptic about this...

[BuzzingHornet]

No, Schumacher is being genuine. Think back to the Adelaide press conference in 1994... I think its cool, even Schumacher has an F1 hero!

[Moon A]

Skeptical. Schumi admires Senna but I am not quite sure if he cried for that reason at the press conference. I think he was just tired and relieved that he scored a win at Monza.

[BuzzingHornet]

Yeah but he wouldn't MENTION Senna if it wasn't because of him, he'd have no good motive to... i'm sure the tifosi would be pleased that he was so emotional about winning Monza..! If that was the truth he'd be the first to say it.

[Simioni]

Today he says:

"I saw this guy. He was so crazy, yet the way he drove was so impressive. I didn’t know who he was and the next day I looked in the paper to find out. It was Ayrton. After that he became my one idol."

Yet, seven years ago:

"I don´t have any special admiration for Ayrton. Some people thought that just because I said he impressed me once when I was younger".


Now he says "There were many circumstances where I felt I was not respected at all by Ayrton", but he was the one to turn the relationship sour when he blasted Senna after brazil 92.



Schumacher makes me wonder. He had an almost unbearable arrogance in his early years, but after that (specially this year) he´s been killing us all with kindness. He´s either matured a lot, or he´s really working hard in his public image.

[theMot]

I think it was for real. People change you know. I remember back when Shue was first in F1 and he didnt get along with Senna. The thing is people were touting it as the next big rivalry and when that rival died i think he woke up and realised how good a driver Ayrton was.

What did you expect him to say 7 years ago? "I love Senna, he is the best and i can never match him."???? If he said that he would have no balls an cock! When Senna died though they were no longer rivals but at the time shue was still probably confussed because this guy had been something of an enemy over the previous 2 years. Im sure if Prost was still in F1 in 1994 and not retired he wouldnt have been at Senna funeral holding the coffin, he would have been sitting at home with his feet up.

As time went by though ts hard to dislike someone who is dead. Shue got his mind set again and i think it was the culmination of a few events like winning the world championship in 94, and have a bad incident at Silverstone last year that took him to realise A: He may not have won both those championships if Senna was around and B: He could have died in Britain had a few things gone wrong...

After all that i think he appreciated what Ayrton had done and started to think of him in a better light.

[Ellen2]

I also think it was for real.

Clearly he was impressed by Ayrton when he was young. That is a fact. Than MS made it to F1 and at first they didn't go along too well. That caused Schumi to say "hey, he is just another driver", in part to pump himself up, in part to get back at Ayrton.

To put all the blaim on MS is kind of "revisionistic" just because the Brazilian is dead. But Ayrton was not an easy guy, he had confrontations with pretty much any competitive driver in his days. His excessive intensity caused sparks in and out of the circuit. Michael started to emerge as the only driver capable of challenging him and Prost. Once Alain left, Ayrton knew he was the best around. The only one that could cause him any headaches was that German, something he confessed to Emerson Fittipaldi during the GP of Rio. This is F1, and with personalities like Ayrton and Michael, you have to expect attacks and confrontations. DOn't ever forget it, Ayrton was certainly no angel and MS probably felt resentful against his "idol" not giving him the respect he privately confessed to have.

But once Ayrton died and there was no room for personality conflicts, Michael has been always pretty clear about his feelings on the Brazilian as a driver. And witnesses saw him going to Ayrton's grave the next year and weep like a little boy.

So, after tha Monza race, MS was in an extremely emotional state of mind: the victory, the title race reopened, in front of his crowd, the pressure to deliver finally lighter. In the middle of this emotional rollorcoaster, the interviewer asked him abou Ayrton's record and if it mattered anything. And as Michael tried to mumble "yes, it means a lot to me", that's when he lost it. The thought of the great Brazilian and the idea of having achieved something at that level, caused him to let go. I cannot think of anything more spontaneous and I'd challenge anyone here to be able to cry like that in front of a billion people if it wasn't for real.

[molive]

I remember in 1994 Senna said something to the effect: "there seems to always have something or someone to prevent me from walking away with an easy WC". He was referring to MS and Benneton. Senna always had tough competitors in better or at least equal machinery. Prost was his match while they were at McLaren and then some after the French went to Ferrari. Mansell and his "alien" williams were too far ahead of anyone. Then Prost with Williams. Now there was this German guy with great speed and a great Benneton car...dammit! why can´t I have an easy life for once??

[Ellen2]

Molive, exactly my point. I think Senna, after Alain retired, probably thought: OK, finally I don't have to stress myself for 9 months and go over the limit every and each second of my races to win a WDC. For once, I will be able to control it all the way. Instead, he got a competitive Bennetton and Schumi on one side, and a still not ready Williams below his ass. It must have been extremely frustrating to see this kid dominate the first 3 races. It is only human that he tried to put Schumi down, trying to make him lose confidence. Too bad we never saw the battle, because the year's end between Ayrton and Schumi would have been 10 times more exciting (and the FIA would have not needed to help Hill race in and race out to keep the title race alive)

[kenny]

THats what Ayrton said in 1994

'Everytime I have the feeling things are alright, going well, there is always something or someone in the way...'

[Simioni]

In fact Ellen, it was Senna who approached Schumacher in 94. Since the press was already making calls for their new rivalry, Senna was willing to make sure that this one wouldn´t go beyond the race track. He even pleeded to the press during the start of the season not to blow it out of proportion. He was a bit fed up with the personal wars he´d been having with other drivers in the previous 6 years or so.

It´s true that before that they didn´t get on too well. It all started after Schumacher´s outburst after the brazilian gp in 92. There was even a physical confrontation later that same year, during a test session in hockenheim.

[Mila]

I have a difficult time believeing that MS has an EMOTIONAL attachement to Senna (although I have little doubt that the Ferrari driver posesses admiration and respect for the Brazilian).

one way or another, why should all of this come out during a post-race press conference? well, maybe it didn't.

so, Moon A, I'm VERY skeptical. it appeared to me the MS was in the process of "losing it" while the Senna reference was being made by the interviewer. that is, MS's prior comments--citing his joy and FATIGUE--triggered (as they say) the tears. by the time Senna came up, MS was in such a state of self-reflection, he barely acknowledged or responded to the question.

so for me the guy was simply overwhelmed--by the WDC. but MS isn't prepared to admit this (of course, there is no reason why he would want to do so). it's a pity the the interviwer didn't press the issue more emphatically. sure, he would have appeared callous, but at least he would have had MS thinking on his feet. instead we had MS (and, no doubt, Weber) mull it over in order to put, regardless of genuineness, a self-serving spin on it. after all, seeing that everyone frowns upon the mere mortals who emote over WDC stress, and seeing that everyone loved it when RB shedded tears for his idol a few rounds ago, the "Senna" explanation made perfect sense.

not only does he have to drive better than his teammate, he has to out perform him on the sensitivity front as well!

[The RedBaron]

Mila -what a lot of b@llox, are you for real???

[westendorf]

So much crap here. Schumi was and is for real, the instant the interviewer mentioned Senna MS broke down. If anyone cannot see that they have no perseptive skills at all. No one breaks down like that if it isn't real. Ciao, GFW

[Winny]

I believe MS was genuine. As for the statements of Senna being "only another driver", they all say that. Hell, Montoya is already saying it about MS. Does anybody think that part of the whole emotional turmoil for MS following Senna's death, was that the comparisons had already been made, but now MS would never be able to prove his ability in a straight fight and get the respect from Senna that he thought he deserved. Ayrton's death affected people in EVERY area of F1.

[Mila]

The RedBaron, I'm afraid I am for real. look at it this way, did anone sense that MS had an emotional attachment to Senna prior to the press conference? definitely not.

westendorf, you're absolutely right, nobody does breaks down like that if it isn't for real. what I'm saying is that MS's explanation is not satifactory--it is, in fact, eluding. I say this in agreement that MS is (and all the other drivers are) very much aware of stats and the record books. 41 wins is a mega achivement; drawing level with Senna in the wins column is a great feat. I have little doubt that MS had given this some thought once he closed in on these records. nevertheless, why the emotion? Senna, the record books, posterity, et al. may have been factors, but they were not THE factor for the press conference melt down.

now granted, I'm not a mental health care profession, but I stand by my observations concerning why and when MS lost it. I do have to add that a professional in a different field--motor racing journalism--basically came away from the press conference with the same conclusion. so, if you care to, check out Matt Bishop's column in the September 14 issue of Autosport.

[Ellen2]

Mila, I am not judging your opinion, we all have one and rarely is the same.

However, you are changing what happened to fit your idea of Schumacher and that is wrong.

You say: "by the time Senna came up, MS was in such a state of self-reflection, he barely acknowledged or responded to the question."

I am sorry, but 1 billion people worldwide clearly heard Michael immediately acknoledge that question and answer: "YES, IT MEANS A LOT TO ME". Not only he ackoledged the question, he gave an answer that leaves no doubts about his thinking on the subject. Only then he started to sob. You don't like Schumi or you think he is not emotional, fine, but don't try to distort what everyone saw and heard with their eyes and ears. And that's why you get comments like the one from RB are you for real. Because people have heard it and you can't convince them of the contrary.

[George Bailey]

I don't know any more about what MS truly thinks about anything, let alone something as complicated as his thoughts on Senna, life, death etc... but here's my 2 cents:

I think MS was genuinely upset because of the 41st win. It makes sense to me that Senna holds special meaning for MS because he was the target a young MS set out to beat as he entered the sport - much like a Button or Montoya would look to MS or MH, "If I can beat him on the track then everyone will see I'm the best...".

MS would have had to have "hated" Senna in a sporting sense, the same way Arsenal must "hate" Man U, except that it was more complicated than that since fate robbed us all of the battle between the two F1 giants. MS inherited the mantle of Senna without having the chance to take it from him directly on the track, which must be more than a little upsetting to MS. On the one hand he's a bit jealous of the Senna legend, and at the same time must be upset with himself for being jealous - how can you be mad at the dead?

It's like if MS had passed before the 1996 season and DH wins the WDC, but doesn't get to beat MS. He'd be "mad" at MS, while at the same time feeling guilty for having such an irrational, yet human, response.

In addition you can read any number of accounts of Senna's death that have the pressure a young MS is putting on Senna as a factor in his death. So MS can't help but again feel in a small way guilty when it comes to Senna.

MS the driver wants to get to 41 wins, and beyond, well beyond. But MS the man can't help but feel a little bit like he is robbing the dead, and not some impersonal figure from the past like Fangio, but a man he himself was driven to defeat. A man he himself saw die. He has to get to win 41 and then 42, but he can't quite get there without having all the mixed emotions thoughts of Senna brings.

"So what does win number 41 mean to you..."

[BuzzingHornet]

Good post George, I agree completely, I have been trying to write a post saying that but couldn't find the right words!

[George Bailey]

Thanks Mr. Hornet, you're one of my favorite reads.

[Williams]

Buzzing Hornet

Yeah but he wouldn't MENTION Senna if it wasn't because of him, he'd have no good motive to... i'm sure the tifosi would be pleased that he was so emotional about winning Monza..! If that was the truth he'd be the first to say it.

BH, Schumacher didn't mention Senna at the interview, the interviewer did.

Westendorf

So much crap here. Schumi was and is for real, the instant the interviewer mentioned Senna MS broke down. If anyone cannot see that they have no perseptive skills at all. No one breaks down like that if it isn't real. Ciao, GFW

I think that Schumacher was just really on the edge emotionally, having seen his Championship hopes go down the tubes in just a few races. Finally winning at Monza must have been a huge emotional roller coaster for him, then just mentioning the Senna connection on top of all that just pushed him over the edge.

The only thing that surprises me is the timing and the way he decided to share this feelings with the World. I can´t help being a bit skeptic about this...

I don't think Schumacher has really determined the timing of this whole thing. The 41st victory was going to happen sooner or later (probably a bit later than MS thought), and to have it happen at an emotional race like Monza was probably not at all the way he would have predicted it would happen. His latest quotes on all this are surely the result of questions and pressure from the press to get a reaction from him.

[BuzzingHornet]

Cheers GB ;)

Williams, yeah you're right but I was more thinking of his comment afterwards when he said that it was Senna's memory that finally pushed him over the edge.

[Thunder]

Those bashers are different really different. MS was very good until the Senna question in parc ferme and and ceremony. If the interviewer hadnt ask a senna question there was no reason for tears.