Lewis Hamilton once replaced Michael Schumacher at Mercedes.
Was Schumacher's departure forced?
Norbert Haug set the tone at the time - and is now clearing up.
Norbert Haug
was one of the most influential figures in German motorsport.
He worked with both
Michael Schumacher *
and
Lewis Hamilton
.
In an interview, he reveals exciting details about Schumacher's departure from Mercedes *.
Munich - Since
Lewis Hamilton
set
Michael Schumacher
's record for winning
at the
Nürburgring
, the two exceptional drivers have felt compared at least once by every expert and non-expert alike.
But who can really judge that if not
Norbert Haug
?
The former
Mercedes team boss
worked with both drivers for a long time and is probably one of the few who can allow himself a well-founded judgment on the Schumi-Lewis comparison.
Formula 1: Michael Schumacher or Lewis Hamilton?
Norbert Haug should know
"If they were racing against each other in their prime, they would probably only be separated by a few thousandths of a second," suspects Haug in a video interview with
motorsport-total
.
The 67-year-old does not want to make a clear decision.
Instead, he characterizes the two drivers as extremely fair sportsmen.
“They have always treated each other with respect.
At no time have I heard anyone say a bad word about the other. "
As is sometimes forgotten, Hamilton replaced Schumacher in 2013 and took over his cockpit.
Again and again it is said that the German legend "was gone" and would have liked to continue.
Haug got rid of this rumor.
"Nobody has ever retired anyone," he clarified.
"That was a very clear process, controlled by Michael."
Formula 1: Norbert Haug reveals the secret of Schumacher and Hamilton's success
Schumacher announced
his resignation from
Ferrari * in
2006
.
It was supposed to be the end of his career, but in
2010 he
came back - to drive another three seasons for
Mercedes
.
In 2012 he made way for his successor, Hamilton.
Haug also provides an explanation for the great successes of Michael Schumacher and Lewis Hamilton.
“The very, very good drivers just walk the famous extra mile, those who ask for it have the longest debriefings.
They do a debriefing after a double victory.
They also piss people off, ”smiles Haug.
Formula 1: Lewis Hamilton relativizes his own successes - and that of Schumacher too
Hamilton himself recently spoke out on this very subject.
He put both his own success and that of Schumacher into perspective: "I did not lead Mercedes to success - and Michael did not lead Ferrari to success," said Hamilton.
He highlighted the team's work as a very important factor.
(epp)
* tz.de is part of the Ippen REdaktionsnetznetz.