Seven time world champion Michael Schumacher says the biggest regret of his fifteen-year formula one career is a controversial manoeuvre in 1997.
The 38-year-old German was excluded from that season’s championship standings after clashing with Jacques Villeneuve as the pair fought for the drivers’ title at Jerez.
“That was something I would do differently today,” he told the ‘Stern TV’ programme in Germany.
“I am not someone who can analyse something immediately after it happens or admit things. In certain situations I need time to think about it and realise what a mess I made.”
The clash was universally condemned by the racing world, and opened a rift between Schumacher and Villeneuve that is unlikely to ever heal.
French-Canadian Villeneuve said in 2006, the year of Schumacher’s retirement: “Michael simply isn’t a great champion because he’s played too many dirty tricks.”
Schumacher also collided controversially in the 1994 title decider with Damon Hill, and at Monaco this year was accused of deliberately blocking the track during the qualifying hour.
GMMF1
DailyF1News.com
