Michael Schumacher stored his playing cards near his chest, however former Prime Gear producer Andy Wilman has remembered one exception the place the driving force mentioned the collision with Jacques Villeneuve that determined the 1997 Formulation 1 title.
Talking on the Excessive Efficiency podcast, Wilman mirrored on an interview between the seven-time champion and Jeremy Clarkson that happened as a part of a venture with the BBC within the late Nineties known as Science of Velocity.
“We did this collection for the BBC within the ’90s… known as The Science of Velocity,” Wilman mentioned. “Ross Brawn fixes it up, Schumacher says sure. We go over to Mugello as a result of they’re testing there… and it’s the week earlier than he goes to Japan and it’s a decider with Hakkinen. So he’s bought lots on his plate.”
Schumacher ultimately sat down with the now Clarkson’s Farm presenter after Wilman had persuaded a lodge supervisor to close a bar so they might speak in non-public.
“We arrange and we speak with Schumacher in there and he mucks about with Jeremy… He’s like, ‘That is the least scientific factor I’ve ever achieved,'” he mentioned after enjoying a sport of reactions with the presenter.
“We ask him about bumping into Villeneuve and knocking him off,” Wilman continued. “He goes, ‘I knew it wasn’t proper. I completely knew it wasn’t proper. However I grew up in that period of Mansell, Senna, Prost, Piquet the place they performed quick and unfastened. That was a troublesome driver period… and he mentioned that was in me undoubtedly – that’s my education. So I did it and I knew it wasn’t proper.’”
Jacques Villeneuve
Photograph by: Rainier Ehrhardt
Schumacher arrived on the 1997 European Grand Prix a single level forward of Villeneuve. However throughout the race, the Canadian driver tried an overtake throughout which the 2 ultimately made contact. The Ferrari driver seemed to show in on his rival, however alas, solely broken his personal automotive.
Villeneuve completed third, permitting him to win the championship whereas the German was disqualified from the drivers’ championship.
A cellphone name with F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone shortly adopted when Wilman tried to trace down footage of the crash. “I ring Bernie… and we want him bashing into Villeneuve,” Wilman mentioned. “And Bernie goes, ‘You’re not having that footage, son… That’s within the vaults now. That’s historical past. Nobody desires to see that once more.’”
However because the producer fought again, Ecclestone merely wished one factor: “‘All I need is a signed fax from Michael saying he’s blissful about it,'” Wilman quoted him as saying.
“Half an hour later,” Wilman mentioned, “Michael mentioned, ‘Yeah, however I did do the interview and I did speak to them, so yeah, they get the footage.’”
Wilman paused earlier than including: “What a person. Man of his phrase.”
We wish your opinion!
What would you wish to see on Motorsport.com?
Take our 5 minute survey.
– The Motorsport.com Staff
