Like him or hate him, Michael remains peerless

The German8217;s tactical thinking and his stunning car control has put him well ahead of his rivals, even McLaren8217;s Mika Hakkinen, drivers8217; champion for the previous two seasons.

Schumacher burst into the Formula One world with the then lowly Irish owned Jordan team in only his fourth season in car racing. He grew up through kart racing.

A seventh place on the grid at the demanding Spa circuit saw him quickly signed up by the more free spending Benetton and immediately he began his meteoric climb to the top.

Back-to-back World Championships in 1994 and 1995 confirmed what the other team chiefs feared Schumacher on his day was unbeatable.

Schumacher8217;s title in 1994 followed the death of Ayrton Senna, killed when he drove straight into a retaining wall at Monza. The Williams teams, minus the man that was considered one of, if not, the greatest driver ever, allowed Benetton to take advantage of the Brazilian8217;s death.

As Benetton and Schumacher gathered victories the team came embroiled in allegations of cheating, using illegal aides on their cars. Schumacher denied any knowledge but rival teams were convinced that something was going on within the Italian team.

Schumacher was also given a two-race suspension when he ignored a black flag ordering him back to the pits immediately.

The season ended in controversy. The title was between England8217;s Damon Hill and Schumacher and in the last race of the season in Japan the aggressive Schumacher and Hill clashed putting both cars out of the race and allowing Schumacher to become the first German World champion.

In 1995 Schumacher8217;s dominance continued as he collected another nine wins and another title.

For 1996, he was lured to Ferrari, thanks in part by a multi-million dollar contract but controversy was never far behind.

In 1997 he was again challenging for the championship this time with the brash Jacques Villeneuve.

In the final race at Jerez only one point separated the two and Schumacher created the most debated manoeuvre in recent Formula One history.

As the Canadian attempted to pass on the inside Schumacher turned in on him in what many saw as a deliberate attempt to force Villenueve off the track. It failed. The German went off into the gravel and Villenueve went on to take the title.

After an inquiry, the FIA, the sport8217;s ruling body, ripped Schumacher, despite his denials of wrongdoing, of his second place finish in the championship over his conduct.

For many Formula One insiders the punishment was laughable and proof that there was one rule for Schumacher and Ferrari and another for the other teams.

But despite a character that many did not like, his ability behind the wheel was beyond dispute.

After a horrifying crash at Silverstone in the British Grand Prix in 1999 that saw him escape with only a broken leg, a refreshed Schumacher returned for the Malaysian Grand Prix to help teammate Eddie Irvine, who was fighting head-to-head with Hakkinen for the title.

Schumacher simply destroyed the field as he shot into a commanding lead. It was a superb drive that confirmed that his British accident had left him unmarked, at least in mind.

After threatening to lap the field he eased back and let Irvine pass him. But the signal was clear. Even if Irvine went on to win the championship he didn8217;t he was no Michael Schumacher. Nor was anyone else.

In only nine years Schumacher is second in overall wins, behind France8217;s Alain Prost. He is third in the points table, only surpassed by Prost and Senna. He is also tied with Nigel Mansell for the greatest number of wins in a season nine.

Provided he continues, all the records will be his.

Liked or hated, Schumacher is the current driver who sets the standards and has earned his place amongst the greats of Formula One.