EXCLUSIVE: ‘Astounding’ Story Behind Michael Schumacher’s F1 Origin Revealed by Ex-Ally Perry McCarthy

Thanks to the highly open and engrossing nature of Formula 1 and a limited number of entities, the media gives the fans almost all the information they want about their favorite drivers nowadays. However, the media was not always as intrusive in F1 as it is now, and back in the day, some things a driver might do would fly under the radar. That was perhaps the case with Michael Schumacher‘s debut race back in 1991 as well. However, we have a firsthand account of his astounding first race weekend.

Schumacher’s ex-ally Perry McCarthy let us on the narrative around the German’s first race in the circus. He revealed how Schumacher got his first drive for Jordan despite his contract with Mercedes. He also revealed how he shocked everyone by putting his car seventh on the grid after a mega qualifying in an exclusive with EssentiallySports.

“So we all know that Michael was obviously very very good as soon as he arrived in Formula 1 toward the end of 1991,” said McCarthy. He then went on to explain how Schumacher was lucky enough to get an opportunity to drive for Jordan at Spa. What surprised everyone, including McCarthy, was Schumacher’s output in the race.

“Michael put the car seventh on the grid very very quickly and everybody was astounded by his talent, but also his attitude and his level of intelligence. Being able to work out what’s happening with the car, and speak to the team, which is one of the processes of a top-level racing driver. – Michael was able to do that so quickly so it was obvious he’s a standout talent,” he added.

This put the German in the limelight and on the radar of Flavio Briatore, who poached him for Benetton, and the rest, as we all know, is history.

Read More: 50 Years Ago, a Turning Point in Michael Schumacher’s Life Paved the Way for His Majestic Career

Despite being so aware of his career through various accounts, there is still a side of Michael Schumacher that many did not know about until it was revealed in his book Michael Schumacher: The Edge of Greatness.  

The side of Michael Schumacher that he used to keep hiding underneath his arrogance

The German was a ruthless and unforgiving driver. He was an intimidating figure around the paddock and was extremely arrogant, on and off the track. This nature did not win the German many friends among the drivers on the grid. However, that was never his intention, anyway.

As revealed in his book, the Ferrari legend was an extremely soft-hearted and caring person who liked to give gifts and make thoughtful gestures to people who used to take care of him. In this instance, it was his team that enabled him to win the championships and his actions were full of gratitude. That’s where he limited this side of him to portray an intimidating side of him for his rivals.

A paragraph from the book read, “He loves to give presents, loves to make people happy. He cares about people’s birthdays and Christmas, everyone gets a present. It’s a big job. He would think hard about presents for people, he asked me about it a lot, he would be having a massage in his room after driving and I would be sitting there with a notepad writing down a huge list.”

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We would’ve never known this side of Schumacher if it wasn’t for the personal accounts of the ones around him. Thanks to the likes of McCarthy and his bosses from back in the day, we can truly understand what the first seven-time world champion was like.