Damon Hill stated that Michael Schumacher made him feel “useless and untalented.”
Yesterday, Wednesday, marked the 30th anniversary of Schumacher’s first title (seven in total, a record shared with Lewis Hamilton), secured when he collided with Hill in Adelaide in 1994.
To mark the occasion, the German newspaper Bild asked Hill, the 1996 world champion, to reflect on their infamous title clash and their relationship.
“Michael and I got along well, but on the track, we hated each other. It wasn’t and isn’t possible to feel otherwise if you want to become world champion.”
“There was no room for kindness. You had to exploit every weakness in your opponent and wear them down with it.”
Hill acknowledges that Schumacher, who has sadly not been seen in public since suffering brain injuries in a skiing accident in 2013, was a master of psychological warfare.
“Michael was a master of mind games. He made me feel useless and untalented. And he said so to the press as well.”
“Since he was winning many races at the time, there was no reason not to believe him.”
But Hill admits Schumacher was a very different person off the track, especially with his own family.
“Michael was a very competitive person but also very warm-hearted.”
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30 Years On: Hill Reflects on Michael Schumacher’s Tactics 30 Years On: Hill Reflects on Michael Schumacher’s Tactics
