Schumacher Made a Young Bottas Go Crazy

Valtteri Bottas was nine when he was watching his idol Mika Hakkinen race in the Japanese Grand Prix in 1998. Michael Schumacher was battling Hakkinen for the F1 title but the German had a nightmare seconds before the race started.

He was due to start on pole position but stalled on the formation lap, meaning he was forced to start at the back of the grid.

Schumacher shot through the field during the course of the race but eventually retired from a punctured tyre sustained from running over debris.

His withdrawal – and Hakkinen’s win – meant Bottas’ countryman Hakkinen took the F1 title.

But Bottas has revealed the mere presence of Schumacher on the charge left him fearing the worst.

“You could never count Michael out,” Bottas told Sky Sports at the Japanese Grand Prix this weekend.

“He would definitely still try to come from the back and it was nerve-racking as a kid to follow Michael going up.

“But then he had that issue and, on that final lap and Mika crossing the line, we were all cheering, shouting and I was so happy as a kid.

“Mika had such a difficult career. He had to wait for his first win for such a long time

“In 1995 he nearly died in a big accident. It wasn’t the easiest career. You could see him never trying to give up and achieve his goals.

“When he crossed the line, the commentator on the Finnish TV was so emotional and the whole country were so proud.

“I could hear from the neighbours the shouting and cheering. It was a big moment for me as a kid and for Finland. Mika Hakkinen inspired me massively.”

Schumacher, 49, was put into a coma and suffered serious head injuries in December 2013 during a skiing holiday. He has not been seen in public since with updates on his condition rare.

Fans from across the world continue to wish the F1 legend a full recovery, despite silence from the Schumacher camp.

British racing driver David Coulthard, 47, has revealed how he hopes he will one day “laugh again” with his old rival.

Schumacher and Coulthard competed against each other in the nineties while racing for Ferrari and McLaren Mercedes.

Coulthard told the German Express: “Of course I miss Michael, he has been the most successful driver.

“Michael was incredibly reliable in his era, in the way he won titles.

“I hope a miracle happens and Michael will be back in public life so we can have fun together and laugh again.”