Michael Schumacher Legacy: "Would Have Gone On To Do Something Of Significant Importance"

Perry McCarthy's insights reveal a multifaceted view of Michael Schumacher, highlighting not just his commitment to racing but also his charitable nature and potential for making a significant impact beyond the world of Formula One.

In an exclusive interview with Alex Harrington of Sports Illustrated, former F1 driver and Top Gear's original Stig Perry McCarthy shared his insights on Michael Schumacher's unparalleled commitment to Formula One and his lesser-known charitable side. McCarthy's admiration for Schumacher's potential beyond racing shines through in his words.

Read the full interview here.

Key Takeaways:

• Absolute Commitment: McCarthy emphasises Schumacher's unwavering dedication to motor racing, highlighting how he would often spend his spare weekends karting despite his numerous wins and championships.
• Charitable Soul: Beyond his racing prowess, Schumacher's charitable nature is a significant part of his legacy, as noted by McCarthy. His work as a UNESCO ambassador and his warm personality are aspects McCarthy admired.
• Beyond Formula One: McCarthy believes that Schumacher had the intelligence and platform to make a significant impact outside of Formula One, potentially on a global scale.

Perry McCarthy, a former Formula One driver, recently shared his thoughts on the legendary Michael Schumacher, providing a unique perspective on a man known for his extraordinary achievements on the racetrack. McCarthy's words paint a picture of Schumacher that goes beyond his public persona, delving into the depth of his character and his impact on the world of Formula One.

"How Michael went about his commitment," Perry answered when I asked him how Schumacher should be remembered. "And that's the word: complete and absolute commitment to motor racing and Formula One. 

"I mean, this guy, even after all these wins, all these championships... Of a spare weekend, he'd often go karting. Now, that is truly astounding, isn't it? But that's what we saw from Michael," McCarthy said.

But McCarthy's admiration didn't stop at Schumacher's racing achievements. He shed light on a side of Schumacher that many new fans might not be aware of. 

"But what a lot of people didn't see - and this is where I rather hope that his legacy carries on in equal measure - was that he was actually a real charitable soul. He really was. And that's something I really liked about Michael. And I could actually see that just from the amount of times we met," he added.

Michael was sadly involved in a skiing accident that pulled the legendary 7-time world champion out of he world of motor racing and away from the public eye. His health is unknown, and while plenty have speculated, his family have been rightly private about how he's doing since. 

But with the driver leaving such a legacy, implanting so many incredible memories in us, fans of this beautiful sport, Perry's next words hit me hard. 

"There was a very warm side to the guy and I do feel that after he finished his racing career, I feel that maybe he would have gone on to do something of significant importance, but not in Formula One, because he was an ambassador for UNESCO, and I think that Michael had the intelligence, and the approach, and the platform to do something of a wider good.

"That's where I guess, as I say, we weren't best mates whatsoever. weren't even close friends, but I like the guy and I kind of have an idea that's where we would have seen Michael Schumacher doing something very, very good on a very big scale."

Thanks to OLBG for setting up the interview.