20 Years Later, Schumacher Returns to Spa

The Formula One world is beginning to wake up from its summer break, and the teams are sending out their press release previews as they prepare to step back into the fray for the final half of the season. The Mercedes team highlighted the phenomenal moment the coming Belgian Grand Prix at Spa Francorchamps represents for one of its drivers.

It was at the Spa circuit 20 years ago that Michael Schumacher made his Formula One debut, at the Jordan team, after replacing the Belgian driver Bertrand Gachot, who was involved in a fight with a taxi driver and could not race. Spa would go on to become the one circuit above all others associated with the Schumacher legend. He would win the race there a record six times. His first victory there was also his first victory in Formula One, the year after his arrival in the sport.

Several other memorable events happened at Spa for the German driver, whose home town of Kerpen is within an hour’s drive. On that first weekend, in fact, he qualified fifth in the Jordan, but had technical problems in the race. That was enough for Flavio Briatore of the Benetton team to hire him starting at the next race, in Monza. He would win two drivers’ titles at Benetton, in 1994 and 1995, before joining Ferrari and winning five more.

And even if he took a three-year break from Formula One, a stay of 20 years at the pinnacle with 17 of them active, is a major accomplishment.

“It’s hard to believe that this was such a long time ago,” said Schumacher. “A lot has changed in those 20 years, but one thing has not: the track is still sensational. I just love the great nature of the location and the resulting layout with all the ups and downs. To me, Spa remains my ‘living room’, because it has been the stage for so many things which have been remarkable for my sporting career.”