Schumacher is number 26 in the list of the greatest Germans of all times that was composed by national voting. After him stand such people as the father of the “Wirtschaftswunder” Ludwig Erhard, philosophers Emmanuel Kant and Friedrich Nietzsche, actress Marlene Dietrich, bacteriologist Robert Koch, poets Friedrich Schiller and Heinrich Heine, composer Richard Wagner, writer Thomas Mann…
Taking into account the conventionality and ambiguousness of this ranking one can understand how important is the seven times F1 winner for his compatriots.
- What are your first five associations when you hear the word “Russia”?
- Your country is associated with its large size, spaciousness, wind rushing through steppes. Probably I have such association because I like nature very much. And also Moscow comes to my mind. Though I am not an urban man.
- Please name five greatest sportsmen in the world of all times.
- When I was in sports I was often asked who is the best in some aspects. But I always thought that it is pointless to compare people and arrange them in a sort of a row. What is the sense to juxtapose modern results to previous ones for the circumstances and conditions were absolutely different. And now when I have already retired I want to hold my own: meaningless comparisons and all kinds of classification are still against my hair. But that does not mean that I do not admire wonderful sportsmen and their splendid achievements.
- In the former Soviet Union there were many excellent sportsmen. There are some in modern Russia. Just name Yashin, Latynina, Rodnina, Kharlamov, Kasparov, Isinbaeva, Plyuschenko, Ovechkin, Sharapova, Arshavin, Valuev…Can you name the best five athletes of Russia of all the times?
- Unfortunately I am not strong in this question. Of course I know many names from your list and they are great sportsmen. But I want to highlight that I think it’s a stupid business to choose among them.
- What are the five main sports secrets of your achievements?
- Success is always a combination of different things. And not always in sports. Talent is obviously a must. But discipline and motivation is also very important for you must constantly work on yourself, progress. Otherwise you will be at a stop and in sports it is always a step backwards.
- What are the five most attractive sides of F1 racing?
- Of course I loved to drive a racecar. It is impossible to express the feeling when you are driving at the top speed. But I also liked confrontation, competition, dispute of opponents and machines. I got in love with motosports when I was a kind. And the feelings are the same till now.
- Many supporters hoped you would return to F1. But that never happened. What are now the five main tasks in your life?
- At present I have a sound life. I have lived for so many years according to a most strict plan, I had a toughest calendar that now I just want to simply enjoy my life. I want to have time for the family and friends. Some time I will have a new task but not now…
- You want to fly to space as a tourist. What are the five main reasons for this trip?
- The press really reported that I was going to take a flight… but that did not represent the real facts – I have no intentions to fly to space.
- Who are the five people you want to get an autograph of?
- I have never collected autographs even when I was a child.
- Name your five favourite dishes.
- As a sportsman I have always paid much attention to healthy food. And I keep doing it now – it is in my blood and bones. Though I have a soft spot for sweets – and now I yield to it oftener than before. For example I like fruit baked pudding with raisins.
- What are the five main wishes to all Russian sports lovers?
- My wish to all sports lovers all over the world is the following: I want supporters to be always devoted to their passion, fancy. I wish them keep on supporting athletes. Sportsmen feel it, it is very important for them.
- And one more extra question. You are a courageous racer, great champion, role model for many people. Is there anything you are afraid of?
- And how do you think! I felt so much fear when I first bailed out.
