Strider Magazine
No 3
Bridging the gap
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Strider Magazine |
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No 3
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Bridging the gap
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| December 2001 |
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Michael Schumacher |
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German born Michael Schumacher is universally recognized as the greatest Formula1 driver ever and the most talented driver of his generation. He has driven his way up the racing ladder with an incredible force and dedication, securing an amazing career of domination over the racing world. |
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His intentions to be a racecar driver became obvious at the early age of four, when he began racing around a local track. Michael’s father, Rolf, was originally not so enthusiastic about Michaels ambitions. Rolf had built Michaels first cart, and would take Michael and brother Ralf to the race track, unaware that Michael would become the greatest and most successful Formula1 driver ever, with his younger brother Ralph not far behind.
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In 1984 at the age of 15 Michael won the German Junior Kart Championship. He successfully did it again in 1985. In 1985, he also came second in the World Junior Kart Championship. By 1987 Michael became both German and European Senior Kart Champion. |
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the midst of 1991, Schumacher made his Grand Prix debut in Formula1 racing with
the Jordan racing team, just one race before the Benetton team snapped him up,
really triggering off his racing career. The following year he won his first
race in Belgium, finishing third overall.
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| In 1994 and 1995, Schumacher won the Drivers Championship title, and in 1996 he joined Ferrari and despite ever present car aggravation, he finished third overall. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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1998 and 1999 were both frustrating seasons for Schumacher. He battled hard against Mika Hakkinen who won both of these Championships. In 1998 he fought for the Drivers title right up to the last race in Japan. His stunning performance in which he worked his way up to third place, after starting from the very back, a piece of debris from an earlier incident left him sitting by the side of the track with a punctured tyre, while the Finn collected World Championship title. |
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In 1999 Schumacher was left with a broken leg after an incident at the British GP. He recovered in time to drive, but even so it proved to be an unsuccessful year for Ferrari, with the title slipping away at the last race in Japan. |
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2000 proved to be different. He won the first three races of the season, determined to claim the Championship Crown. After an emotional win in Italy and two straight victories in the USA, Japan saw him crowned World Champion for a third time. A first with Ferrari. |
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2001 was by far Michael Schumacher’s greatest year. He believes that despite all the records, winning the last race is the most important and also most motivating for the future. The number one driver says, “This was the perfect finale to a perfect season.” |
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Team Ferrari is developing quickly; which encourages an optimistic future. |
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The team dominated the entire season, and despite a few hiccups in Monza and Indianapolis, is still considered the strongest and most elite team. Though Ferrari has always held a strong position, it showed more than ever this season, with Schumacher now being the driver with the most victories in history. |
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Now crowned World Champion for a fourth time, Schumacher has also led more Grand Prix kilometers than any driver in history, set more fastest laps and has the second highest number of pole positions. He needs just six more victories to gain the all-time record total of fifty one, set by Alain Prost in 1993. |
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| Without a doubt, Michael Schumacher’s hard work and years
of perseverance has rewarded him with success and titles, well earned.
Schumacher has defended his title leaving his opponents far behind him; to eat
his dust, so to speak.
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| Michael Schumacher is already in training for the new season, determined to out do himself yet again, and push himself beyond the limits. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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For himself, For the sport, And for Ferrari. |
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