Michael Schumacher’s family release haunting new video of the F1 driver
<p>Michael Schumacher’s family has released never-before-seen footage of the F1 legend as he talked about his successful career, only two months before the tragic accident that would change his life forever.</p>
<p>Considered the best F1 driver the world has ever seen, Schumacher spoke about his struggles with self-confidence and who he respects most in the profession in the haunting footage that was posted on his website.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/hX7LF20uz3s" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></p>
<p>The interview is dated October 30, 2013, only two short months before his skiing accident in the French Alps which occurred on December 29 the same year.</p>
<p>Schumacher, who is now 49, said he never imagined his career to skyrocket the way it did, but it was his self-doubt that garnered him his many accolades.</p>
<p>“Records is one thing. Doubts … I think it is very important to not be over confident – to be sceptical, to look for improvements,” he said.</p>
<p>“Yeah, I always felt I am not good enough, I have to work, and that was one part of the recipe that made me what I became.</p>
<p>“Talent in motorsport, as in any sport, is important – but that’s not all. You need really to develop lots of different skills.”</p>
<p>He also commended his team, as he said his success wasn’t solely due to him.</p>
<p>“Success, as in any situation of life or in most I know, is about teamwork,” he said.</p>
<p>“Yourself, you do what you do. As a team, you will be much stronger. Formula 1 is a team work, and definitely not a one-man show.”</p>
<p>He also mentioned how despite the challenges F1 drivers face, the sport has become much less demanding throughout his 17-year career due to the advancements in car technology.</p>
<p>“Formula One is very tough. It used to be a lot harder – no power brakes, no power steering – in the past compared to nowadays,” he said.</p>
<p>“But anyway, it is one of the toughest sports you can do, so a lot of preparation is needed.”</p>
<p>The seven-time world champion looked back at his career highlights, and said it was his first win with Ferrari in 2000 that was the most emotional.</p>
<p>Schumacher had an impressive run as he consecutively won championships after his first win. Those wins included Benetton in 1994 and 1995, then five back-to-back with the Prancing Horse from 2000-2004.</p>
<p>The racing icon had a total of 91 grand prix wins by the end of his career.</p>
<p>“Twenty-one years no championships with Ferrari, four years myself failing, then finally, in a great race to achieve it, win the world championship,” he said.</p>
<p>When asked who he admires most in the adrenaline filled sport, he said it was Finland driver Mika Hakkinen, his rival driver and the 1998 and 1999 world champion for McLaren.</p>
<p>“The most respected guy in all those years was definitely Mika Hakkinen. Great fights, but stable private relationships,” he said, as he mentioned how his secret to success was to learn from other drivers.</p>
<p>“To develop yourself, to find other steps, you not only look at the car; you look at yourself, you look at other drivers.</p>
<p>“And you’re not only looking at your front drivers, you’re looking at everybody. So, I did, because everybody has something special that I wanted to know.”</p>
<p>Schumacher went on to mention his immense admiration for technical mastermind Ross Brawn, who he credits his success to.</p>
<p>“If you go back to the various teams I have driven for, the various missions – Benetton, after four or five years building it up to the championship, same with Ferrari, we tried the same with Mercedes in less time – is there one thing in common, I would say yes there is: Ross Brawn. Think about it.”</p>
<p>But surprisingly, a young Michael Schumacher didn’t grow up admiring F1 drivers, but rather a German soccer player: Toni Schumacher (no relation).</p>
<p>“In the young days of karting, I looked around and yes, I saw Ayrton Senna or Vincenzo Sospiri, but my real idol was Toni Schumacher, because he was a great soccer player,” he said.</p>
<p>Schumacher is currently undergoing treatment at his Lake Geneva residence, where he is receiving round-the-clock care from a team of medical professionals. His family are known to be notoriously private of his condition.</p>
