'I Knew It Wasn't Right': Schumacher's Rare Admission on 1997 Title-Deciding Crash
In a rare admission, Michael Schumacher once told Jeremy Clarkson that his infamous 1997 crash with Jacques Villeneuve "wasn't right," blaming the aggressive ethos of his racing era.
Former Top Gear producer Andy Wilman has revealed a rare moment of candor from Michael Schumacher, who admitted he "knew it wasn't right" to deliberately crash into Jacques Villeneuve during the 1997 title-deciding race. During a private interview with Jeremy Clarkson, Schumacher attributed the controversial move to the aggressive "schooling" he received from icons like Senna and Prost, acknowledging it was a product of his era's win-at-all-costs mentality.
Why it matters:
The 1997 Jerez incident remains one of the most notorious moments in F1 history, defining Schumacher's ruthless early career. This rare admission provides a unique glimpse into the psychology of a seven-time world champion, showing self-awareness about a decision that cost him the championship and tarnished his reputation. It humanizes a driver often seen as an unflappable machine.
The details:
- The story comes from a late-'90s BBC series, 'Science of Speed,' which was arranged by Schumacher's technical director, Ross Brawn.
- Schumacher spoke with Clarkson at a hotel bar in Mugello, just days before the 1997 season finale in Japan where he was battling Mika Häkkinen for the title.
- The admission: When asked about the crash, Schumacher was direct. "I knew it wasn’t right. I absolutely knew it wasn't right. But I grew up in that era of Mansell, Senna, Prost, Piquet where they played fast and loose. That was a tough driver era… and he said that was in me definitely - that’s my schooling. So I did it and I knew it wasn’t right.’"
- Bernie's intervention: F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone initially refused to release footage of the crash for the program, telling Wilman, "You’re not having that footage, son… That’s in the vaults now. That’s history. No one wants to see that again."
- Ecclestone only relented after a direct confirmation from Schumacher, who honored his word and permitted the footage's use, leading Wilman to call him a "man of his word."
Looking Ahead:
This revelation adds a complex layer to Schumacher's legacy. While he never publicly apologized in this manner, this private acknowledgment shows a champion grappling with the line between ruthless competitiveness and sportsmanship—a line that defined his legendary and often controversial career.