Johnny Herbert Reflects On Michael Schumacher's Impact - "Huge Void Left"

Johnny Herbert reflects on Michael Schumacher's lasting influence on Formula 1 and the void his absence has created and his enduring impact on current drivers.

In a recent interview, former F1 driver and Sky Sports F1 pundit Johnny Herbert shared his profound insights on Michael Schumacher's impact on the sport. Herbert's poignant reflections reveal the deep void left by Schumacher's accident and the enduring influence he has on today's drivers.

Key Takeaways:

• Schumacher's Legacy: Herbert emphasised the significant void left in Formula 1 since Schumacher's accident, highlighting the shock it caused and Schumacher’s influential presence in the paddock.
• Influence on Current Drivers: Herbert pointed out that current F1 drivers, including current champion Max Verstappen, continue to be inspired by Schumacher's approach, work ethic, and achievements, using his legacy as a motivational force.
• Personal Insights: Reflecting on his personal experiences, Herbert, a former teammate of Schumacher, shared unique perspectives on Schumacher’s dominance and his contributions to the sport, both as a competitor and a team player.

Johnny Herbert recently shared his personal reflections on F1 legend Michael Schumacher. Herbert's career, spanning over a decade in F1, included being Schumacher's teammate at Benetton.

"There has been a huge void left since Schumacher’s crash. When the accident happened it was a big shock for everybody. He had been such a fixture around the paddock for so long, achieving all those wins and championships."

Herbert further remarked:

"He was massively respected by the flock of current drivers at the time, but actually probably by nearly all the drivers today. If you ask them who was the driver they looked up to and watched when you were growing up, they would say Michael. Michael was the one who drove them to achieve their dream of getting into Formula 1.

"He was a very important part of Formula 1 back then. Yes people might have thought it was a boring period for the sport with his domination, especially when he was at Ferrari. That, though, just showed the true grit and domination Michael had at that time."

The influence of Schumacher on current drivers is evident, with Herbert pointing out Max Verstappen as a prime example. 

"A lot of drivers in modern times still use the experience of watching him on the track to motivate them. Max is the obvious example. He has a very similar mentality because his Dad was a teammate back in 1994." 

Schumacher's approach to racing and teamwork is something Herbert believes is still emulated by drivers today. 

"I think even Jos has tried to instill a lot of what Michael was about as a driver and as a person and in the way he contributes to his team and how he worked within a team structure to get the best for himself.

"He is the only one who has used a lot of Michael’s ways in his own life."

Thank you Grosvenor Sport for setting up this interview.