(Motorsport-Total.com) – Every Formula 1 fan in Germany knows that Michael Schumacher only drove for Jordan, Benetton, Ferrari, and Mercedes during his Formula 1 career. And yet there are pictures showing “Schumi” in other Formula 1 cars: in a Ligier and in a Sauber – but how was that possible?
Read more Antonelli can take a special record from Vettel — his reaction surprises
Our photo series tells these stories: How Benetton team boss Flavio Briatore organized a Ligier test for Schumacher in 1994 so that he could get familiar with the Renault V10 engines. These engines were brought by Ligier co-owner Briatore to Benetton for 1995 and thus gave Schumacher’s car more power compared to the previous Ford V8 engines. (Photo series: All Formula 1 cars of Michael Schumacher)
Or in 1997: Ferrari customer team Sauber asked for Schumacher’s expertise to evaluate the current car. Ferrari approved the test, but the Sauber had to go on track completely without sponsor logos. For Schumacher, a circle closed incidentally: as a Mercedes junior, he had competed for Sauber in the sports car world championship years earlier.
In unusual colors: Formula 1 stars at foreign teams
Besides Schumacher, many other drivers have become famous in Formula 1. But in some cases, hardly anyone remembers the beginnings anymore. One example: the later three-time world champion Ayrton Senna completed his first Formula 1 season in 1984 for Toleman. But his first Formula 1 test was made possible by another team – for which he actually raced years later.
Read more «Tell me what you want»: FIA President makes Alonso an unusual offer
The story of Jackie Stewart reads differently again: After three world championship titles, he tested various Formula 1 cars from different teams in the late 1970s, including the legendary Tyrrell “Sixwheeler” P34 with six wheels. Even in 1997, Stewart got back into the cockpit: as founder of the Stewart team, he drove one of his cars himself on a test day.
In the examples mentioned and in many other cases, photographers were always on site – even if these were supposed to be “secret” test drives. Our photo series on the almost forgotten Formula 1 tests of some drivers is based on these shots.
Read more Marc Surer: George Russell is «already broken» on Kimi Antonelli