Copyright irishmirror
Michael Schumacher's cocky public image didn't mirror his genuine character away from the spotlight, according to one of the F1 icon's close associates. Schumacher claimed seven F1 World Championships, tying him as the most triumphant driver in history alongside Lewis Hamilton . He was utterly commanding during the early 2000s, securing five consecutive titles whilst racing for Ferrari. Throughout that period he fostered the reputation of a fiercely competitive driver who was aware of his superiority and wasn't shy about leveraging that standing. Richard Hopkins, the former Red Bull head of operations, was acquainted with him during this time and whilst he acknowledges his self-assurance occasionally tipped into "arrogance", he also witnessed the German's softer nature. Schumacher hasn't appeared publicly since a skiing incident in 2013 and has been looked after by his wife Corinna alongside a team of medical experts. And, according to Hopkins, it was his devotion to his family where Schumacher's authentic character truly emerged. "I don't think there's anything I know of that was lesser known. I think he loved his kids, he loved his family, he loved his wife. But that's not to say he loved his wife more or less than any other F1 driver loves theirs," he told The Sun, reports the Mirror . "As you see with a lot of personalities – celebrities, sports people, actors – you see that persona in front of a camera, when the mic's in front of them. "If you didn't know Michael, and you started watching F1 in 2004 or 2005, you would probably have an opinion of him at that period without knowing the person behind that persona. "You might see this overconfident driver who had this absolute degree of arrogance – that 100 per cent belief. And you couldn't necessarily believe he would go home and love his wife and his kids. "You'd think he was probably a difficult person in his private life, but he certainly wasn't. Of course he wasn't. He was a great dad and a great husband. So is that a lesser-known quality? That's just being a good human being." Schumacher suffered a head injury after striking a rock whilst skiing in December 2013 and was put into a medically induced coma for several months. He subsequently went back to his Lake Geneva home, where only a handful of family members and close friends have had access to information about his condition. His current circumstances remain shrouded in mystery, though his Formula One legacy is beyond question. He delivered Ferrari their first championship triumph in 21 years during 2000 and continued to claim the drivers' crown for the following four consecutive seasons, completely transforming the team's fortunes.
