The legacy of Michael Schumacher: Ecclestone opens up on F1′s unforgettable icon

German driver Michael Schumacher won a record seven Formula One drivers' championships. Photo / AP

Michael Schumacher will always be remembered as a Formula One icon who effectively led the Ferrari team during his successful spell there, says former Formula One boss Bernie Ecclestone.

In the lead-up to the 10th anniversary of Schumacher’s skiing accident in France, Ecclestone, 93, said he had helped boost the German’s career in its early stages.

Schumacher made his F1 debut in 1991 at the Jordan team, but he was already at Benetton for the next race and won his first two world titles with them in 1994 and 1995.

He then joined Ferrari and won his other five titles with the Scuderia from 2000-04.

“I knew that he was talented,’’ Ecclestone said.

“Eddie Jordan was very convinced of him, he had a good eye.

“Michael surely would have found another cockpit, but we took a few shortcuts for ‘Schui’. We stole him from Jordan.”

Former F1 boss Bernie Ecclestone. Photo / Photosport

Looking at Schumacher’s Ferrari era, during which he helped the team end a long title drought, Ecclestone said: “One day we were sitting together and I asked him ‘Who is leading this team?’ And he answered ‘I am doing that.’

“He did that really well. He could get the best out of the people. He earned the respect of the people, they listened to him.

“Whenever he said something they knew it was correct. Whatever Michael said (team principal Jean) Todt followed it.”

Ecclestone said he could not really understand why Schumacher retired for the first time in 2006 because “he still was so good”, but that he is remembered as an icon in sport.

“Of course Michael profited from Formula One, but Formula One profited at the same time to have him around,’’ Ecclestone said.

“There are enough drivers who simply disappear and no one remembers them.

“That is of course different with ‘Schui’. Like Lewis Hamilton these days he stands for an own brand.”

He described Schumacher as “quite normal, simply a nice guy”, but he only has vague memories of the day of Schumacher’s skiing accident, December 29, 2013.

Since then Schumacher has been shielded by his family and has not appeared in public, his health status still unknown.

“No one knew at the time what had happened and which consequences it would have,’’ Ecclestone said.

“It took a long time until the people understood what had happened.

“I miss him. He is a star and will always be remembered as a star.”