What emotions
The Ferrari this weekend in Monza will race with a livery inspired by 1996 and Michael Schumacher 30 years after the German driver’s first season at the wheel of the Ferrari.
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Schumacher took five years to win with the Maranello team, but then he never stopped, winning five consecutive World Championships from 2000 to 2004. Piero Ferrari highlighted that in Monza in 1996 the spark definitively ignited.
“At the beginning of the Schumacher era, Ferrari was not yet in a position to consistently fight for victory, but Michael still managed to achieve great results thanks to his extraordinary qualities – said Piero Ferrari – the 1996 Monza victory is a perfect example: it was a performance of a great champion, achieved in a place that has a special meaning for Ferrari. I believe that day was also important for the relationship between Michael and the fans. He had been with Ferrari for only a few months, had already won in Spain and Belgium, but winning in Monza, in front of that crowd, helped create a bond that in the following years would become stronger and stronger. Michael understood what it meant to race for Ferrari and how important it was for our fans, and I believe that is also why he entered so deeply into their history and affection.”
“In Michael’s time there was an important change in the way of working – added Piero Ferrari – until then, car development was mainly based on the driver’s sensitivity, his comments, and the technical data collected on track. Michael took a further step: he began to study himself thoroughly inside the car. I remember he used to take home the computer with telemetry data to analyze every detail of his driving, understand where he could improve, and identify the parts of the circuit where he could make a difference. This approach, extremely methodical and data-oriented, had a profound impact on Ferrari’s culture that is still reflected today in certain team practices. Naturally, times were very different. Back then it was possible to carry out many more tests and all that analysis work was used to best prepare practice, qualifying, and the race. Today regulations limit testing much more, but the principle remains the same. Michael showed how important it was to study every detail, use data as a tool for improvement, and prepare with the utmost attention even away from the track. I believe this ability to analyze one’s work and constantly seek something to improve is one of the most significant legacies he left to Ferrari.”
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