In
a unique e-mail interview with Mike Rowbottom,
for British newspaper, The Independent,
seven-time World Champion, Michael Schumacher,
gave some refreshingly honest answers.
|
Not
one for small talk or idle speculation,
the Ferrari star refused to be drawn on
a number of questions, most notably about
football, though he did admit that he
would never have succeeded as a professional
soccer player.
|
"I
am an amateur and I just enjoy playing
around. I know where my talents lie,"
he admits.
|
"When
I was a kid the coaches used to position
me on the substitutes' bench, and they
had their reasons."
|
On
other issues he is far more forthright.
|
It
is often said that in the absence of Ayrton
Senna, the German came by his first couple
of titles a little easier, than had the
legendary Brazilian been there to take
him on. |
Asked
how he thinks he might have measured up
against the three-time champion, Schumacher
responds: "How can I answer that
seriously? Nobody knows.
|
"The
only thing I know is that I would have
enjoyed racing him, and that I miss him
not only because of that." |
Asked
if he has ever run someone off the track
deliberately - Rowbottom cites Damon Hill
as an example - or whether he is "misunderstood",
the Ferrari driver replies: "I am
what I am. Some people understand me well,
some less. That's just natural."
|
Adding:
"The only thing to regret about this
is that some don't even try."
|
On
the subject of Hill, and former adversary,
Jacques Villeneuve, Schumacher is aware
of the burden of having a famous (racing)
father, and would therefore not encourage
his own son (Mick) to take up racing. |
"The
burden for any son of a big name is just
so high - I have seen this with Damon
Hill and Jacques Villeneuve. They fight
against so much more than any rivals;
at least at the beginning, they are constantly
compared. I would want my son to be able
to make his own way, uncompared." |
In
another clear attempt to rattle Schumacher's
cage, Rowbottom asks the German's opinion
of 2006 World Champion, Fernando Alonso. |
"He
is world champion!" he replies. "You
don't achieve this by chance. So please
don't ask if Fernando is a good driver;
of course he is and I said very often
that I have a big respect for what he
did this season together with his team." |
The
overwhelming 'message' that comes across
is that Michael - certainly away from
the track - is a man at peace with himself,
and clearly delighted with his wife and
family. |
Asked
if there is anyone he doesn't have a psychological
edge over, he admits that it is his daughter,
Gina-Maria. |
"When
she comes and plays with me - I don't
know if you have a daughter, but I can
tell you it is hard to stay with your
opinions sometimes. She is just so sweet,
as is Mick. My kids are wonderful, and
sometimes Corinna and me laugh our heads
off at one of their sayings." |
Asked,
other than motorsport, what he is most
proud of, he doesn't need to think hard
for an answer: "My family,"
he says. "The best thing I have in
my life." |
And
three words that he feels best sum him
up... "Talent, passion, and wonderful
emotions". |
|
