Schummi interview...

[worksux101]

Taken from planet-f1.com


Schumi's Independent thought
Tuesday January 03 2006


Michael Schumacher has conducted plenty of interviews during his F1 career, but P-F1 doubts many would have matched the strangeness of his 'email conversation' with British newspaper The Independent.
Apparently answering e-mailed questions from hack Mike Rowbottom, Schumacher�s published responses range from the ambiguous to the perplexed to the deeply personal.

The correspondence begins with the German being asked if he would prefer Germany national captain Michael Ballack or his English counterpart, David Beckham, in his football team.

"You know, the thing about hypothetical questions is that I don't like to deal with them," Schumi replies tersely. "Why should I worry about problems I don't have? I am far too realistic and busy a man to even think about questions like the one you just mentioned - well, maybe with the exception this time that, of course, I would play Ballack!"

He dismisses a question about Ayrton Senna as "another hypothetical one", before softening his stance to add: "The only thing I know is that I would have enjoyed racing him, and that I miss him not only because of that."

Schumi was more forthcoming on the lessons learnt from his days in karting, claiming: "Besides the technical stuff you learn a lot about your behaviour on track, about how to compete, how to fight, to bring yourself into a good position, to defend yourself. You know, everything to do with dealing with the "playing field", and how to control it. It was a good experience and learning class for any other series later. But first of all it was big fun - maybe that was the biggest thing I learnt there."

England and football are two reoccurring themes in the 'correspondence', with Schumi describing himself as nothing more than an "amateur footballer" who "just enjoys playing around.

"I know where my talents lie. When I was a kid the coaches used to position me on the substitutes' bench, and they had their reasons."

As for the World Cup, "if I have time and opportunity I will watch as many matches as I can during the World Cup. No question about that. About the chances of the German team I cross fingers and clearly hope for their ability to always play well during tournaments - how often did we beat England, by the way?"

About as often as Schumi ends up talking to the English about stereotypes, it seems.

"Every time I talk with an English journalist we end up with stereotypes," he complains. "I don't understand why this seems to be so important for English people. My experience in life is that everybody is his own person and that stereotypes are not true or funny. You may see this as lacking in humour now if you want."

But there is also a touchingly personal aspect to the interview.

The Ferrari driver justifies his $10m donation to the Indian Ocean Earthquake appeal with the simple observation �Because the catastrophe was so big! So many people who had lost their loved ones, so many children left without parents, we really suffered when we saw the pictures on TV. Our decision was spontaneous and it was right."

The 'we' is an obvious too reference to his family, who he describes as "The best thing I have in my life."

"I don't know if you have a daughter, but I can tell you it is hard to stay with your opinions sometimes," he later adds. "She is just so sweet, as is Mick. My kids are wonderful, and sometimes Corinna and me laugh our heads off at one of their sayings."

Not that he would like his son to enter the world of F1, however.

"I probably would be much happier if he chose another sport or job. The burden for any son of a big name is just so high - I have seen this with Damon Hill or Jacques Villeneuve. They fight against so much more than any rivals; at least at the beginning, they are constantly compared. I would want my son to be able to make his own way, uncompared. But of course, if he fell in love with racing and absolutely wanted to go this way I'd support him. But thank God it does not look like this at the moment. He does so many sports, I don't see a preference by now."

Yet Schumi has no misgivings about continuing to drive.

"I don't feel fear," he says. "I feel respect sometimes, but I think it is essential not to over-do it. But I am absolutely in my element when in a cockpit and behind a steering wheel and I cannot even imagine this sensation ever stopping. I just love it. I felt so since I was a child. Really, I am a happy man: I have a wonderful family. And I had a wonderful hobby, which turned into a great job."
_________________
Eating meh Zauce doubles...

[MG Man]

how come nobody ask himn about the two championships he stole from Damon Hill???????
_________________

I know it's so, for I told me so