Michael Schumacher, Fact and Figure

Michael Schumacher (born 3 January 1969, inHürth-Hermülheim, Germany ) is a German Formula One driver and seven-time Formula One world drivers' champion, and current advisor and temporary driver for Ferrari. According to the official Formula One website, he is "statistically the greatest driver the sport has ever seen". He is the only German to win the Formula One World championship, and is credited with popularizing Formula One in Germany. In a 2006 FIA survey, Michael Schumacher was voted the most popular driver of the season among Formula One fans.

After winning two championships with Benetton, Michael Schumacher moved to Scuderia Ferrari in 1996 and won five consecutive drivers' titles with them from 2000–2004. Schumacher holds many records in Formula One, including most drivers' championships, race victories, fastest laps, pole positions, points scored and most races won in a single season. Schumacher is the only Formula One driver to have an entire season of podium finishes, a feat he accomplished in 2002. His driving sometimes created controversy: he was twice involved in collisions that determined the outcome of the world championship, most notably his disqualification from the 1997 championship for causing a collision with Jacques Villeneuve. After the 2006 Formula One season Schumacher retired from race driving.

Schumacher is set to make a comeback into F1 racing for the 2009 European Grand Prix as a replacement for injured Ferrari driver Felipe Massa.

Off the track, Schumacher is an ambassador for UNESCO and a spokesman for driver safety. He has been involved in numerous humanitarian efforts throughout his life and donated tens of millions of dollars to charity. He is the elder brother of former F1 driver Ralf Schumacher, currently racing in Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters (DTM). They stand as the only brothers in F1 history to have both won races and they scored the first sibling 1-2 finish in Formula One.

Short Michael Schumacher Bio

1969: Born on January 3 in Huerth-Hermuelheim, Germany.

1973: Made his racing debut in a kart race.

1987: Won German and European kart championships.

1988: Finished fourth in German Formula Ford championship and second in the European series in first year of car racing.

1990: Won first major single-seater title, clinching the German Formula Three crown. Stepped up to sportscars, driving for Mercedes.

1991: Made Formula One debut for Jordan in Belgium, qualifying seventh before retiring. Poached by Benetton for the rest of the season.

1992: Takes first grand prix win in Belgium on his way to third in the championship.

1994: Wins title, with eight wins to his name, after controversial last-race clash with Damon Hill.

1995: Retains world crown, taking nine victories.

1996: Moves to struggling Ferrari and manages three wins on his way to third in championship.

1997: Wins five races but is stripped of second in the championship for attempting to take out title rival Jacques Villeneuve at Jerez.

1999: Breaks his leg at Silverstone when easily leading the championship.

2000: Finally wins Ferrari's first world title since 1979, amassing nine wins on the way.

2001: Another nine wins and another title, setting a new record for all-time victories on the way.

2002: Wins championship in record time, setting a new mark of 11 victories.

2003: Wins title by a point after six victories, breaking Juan Manuel Fangio's record of five championships.

2004: Breaks his own record for wins in a season to take title number seven.

2006: Sept 10 - Announces his retirement at end of 2006 season after winning Italian Grand Prix.

2009: July 29 - Makes shock return to Formula One with Ferrari, deputising for Felipe Massa until the Brazilian is recovered from injuries suffered in the Hungarian Grand Prix.