Schumacher begins to focus in on Spa

“Something like this always does you good,” said a smiling Michael. “I have done a lot of sport, including cycling and I also went for a motorbike ride,” he recounted. “Then, last weekend, I went to Bottrop to watch my wife take part in an equestrian event. It was really fantastic and both of us had a great time.”

But now the thoughts of the German are quickly turning to Spa. The Belgian circuit is one of the key venues in the Schumacher history. It was here that he made his F1 debut way back in 1991 and also the place of his first ever win in the sport in 1992. So naturally he holds fond memories of the track and he openly admits to loving racing round Spa.

“Obviously, I have nothing but fond memories of Spa. So much has happened there in my career as a driver, that I love going back there every year. If I think of my debut, I remember that the Jordan team thought I knew the track, which wasn’t the case. So I took a bike to do a couple of laps of the track and right there and then I realised it was a fantastic place.”

”Spa-Francorchamps is quite simply one of the ultimate “old-style” circuits and sadly, there aren’t many of them left. It is the sort of track where it is difficult to describe what it is like to drive. Tackling corners like Eau Rouge for example, not to mention the countryside where the track is situated is simply wonderful. I think nearly all the drivers like it. The circuit is really extreme and is my outright favourite. Making a debut on a track like this is something special and racing there is a real challenge but also a real pleasure.”

Schumacher still remembers that first win in 1992, and the fact that he won it without others retiring made his opening career win all that more special. “The best thing about that win was that none of the top drivers at the time had retired from the race,” recalled Michael.

The double wins here in 1995 and 1996 also remain in his memory. 95 he won for Benetton after starting from 16th on the grid in the rain he proceeded to make up for his bad qualifying and win the race ahead of Damon Hill in the Williams. Then in 1996 he took the win for Ferrari in another race affected by the rain.

“It was an incredible race,” says the Ferrari man. “We had just gone through a very bad patch (in 1996), which had seen us retire all the time and Ferrari morale was very low. If I had to pick one really critical moment during my time with Ferrari, I reckon that would be it. The win restored our faith.”

Michael will not be expecting to qualify so low down on the grid this weekend, in fact he comes to Spa the red hot favourite to wrap up another win. If he does so it will be a record breaking 10th win of the season and no other circuit would be more fitting for this feat. Michael does not predict a win that would be foolish, but he knows the F2002 will give him every possible chance of doing so.