CHAMPS ... Schumacher and Vettel at a German kart club yesterday
By MICHAEL SPEARMAN
Thursday, 25 August 2011
EDDIE JORDAN has revealed Michael Schumacher's 'fib' that kick-started the most successful career in Formula One history.
The seven-time world champion celebrates the 20th anniversary of his debut in Belgium when he races at the Spa-Francorchamps track this weekend.
But Jordan admits he probably would not have taken a punt — for a £100,000 fee — on a relatively obscure sportscar driver with Mercedes had Schuey been totally honest.
Former team chief Jordan said: "I asked Michael if he'd been to Spa before and he said 'yes'. But he'd only been as a spectator and not driven the track.
"I suppose it is too strong to say he lied but when you ask someone if they've been to the track before you know it means have they raced there.
"Had I known he'd not raced there before then I probably wouldn't have put him in the car as Spa is such a technically demanding and difficult track.
"If I had not raced him who knows what would have happened in his career."
German Schumacher had his first taste of the layout by cycling around it.
But he made a stunning impact by qualifying seventh. And though his maiden race was ended early by a clutch problem, Benetton boss Flavio Briatore had seen enough to poach him from Jordan in a bitterly-contested move.
Schumacher, now 42, went on to bag his first two titles with Benetton before switching to Ferrari where he won the drivers' crown five times in a row from 2000.
Jordan said: "Before the first race we gave him a test at Silverstone.
"I remember getting a call from our team manager Trevor Foster saying 'I'm not sure what's going on. Did they alter the track this morning? His times are ridiculously fast'.
"I knew Michael was an outstanding talent. But I didn't expect him to go on and win so many races and titles and become the most successful driver in history.
"Alain Prost won four titles. Nobody expected Michael to match that but he went on and destroyed it. Now we have another German in Sebastian Vettel and people are wondering if he will break Schumacher's records."
Jordan this week described Schuey as an 'old fart' and warned his legacy could be wrecked if his comeback continues to be a flop.
Schumacher has not finished on the podium in 30 attempts since returning to the sport with Mercedes last season.
But he insists he has unfinished business with the team.
He said: "Mercedes supported me to get me into F1. That's where the loop is closing.
"Me coming back is to succeed in the mission to make Mercedes world champion."
Credit: The Sun (www.thesun.co.uk)
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