Ferrari have teased a tribute to legendary Formula 1 driver Michael Schumacher at the team's home Italian Grand Prix. The German is regarded as one of F1's greatest-ever stars having claimed a record-equaling seven driver's world championships during his career.
Schumacher's haul is only matched by current Ferrari driver Lewis Hamilton, who surpassed his record tally of race wins in 2020. The F1 great claimed five world titles in a row for Ferrari from 2000 to 2004 and amassed 72 of his 91 race wins with the Scuderia, before announcing his first retirement immediately after winning the 2006 Italian GP.
Special livery hints
Schumacher returned to F1 with Mercedes in 2010, before retiring for good two years later. The 57-year-old suffered severe head injuries in a skiing accident in December 2013 and has not been seen in public since.
Ferrari are reportedly set to honour Schumacher's legacy by running its SF-26 cars in a special livery dedicated to the German. Several hints have emerged on social media from the Italian team, including a post that read: "Honouring a legacy that has helped shaped our own ??????"
Anniversary milestones
It comes as next week's Grand Prix at Monza marks the 30-year anniversary of Schumacher's first victory with Ferrari in 1996. It also comes 20 years after his last F1 win in 2006.
The full details surrounding Schumacher's condition after his accident 13 years ago have been kept secret by his family and information surrounding the German has been sparse.
Former driver's comments
Former driver and friend of Schumacher, Christian Danner, spoke about the ex-Ferrari star during a recent interview with OLBG. He said: "However Michael looks, or under whatever conditions he's alive – I don't know – I want to see him again."
"The fact that he's not appearing anywhere indicates that he's probably not very well. But Formula 1's prepared for that. Formula 1's prepared for everything."
"He's one of the heroes in the history of Formula 1, so if he would be happy and fit enough to come back, no matter the circumstances, in whatever condition, I think Formula 1 can cope with it easily."
He added: "There are heroes in any kind of sport that have had a problem and have kind of fallen. But once they're alive, I think it does everyone a lot of good [to see them again]. For me personally, it would be absolutely smashing to see him. I think that feeling is around for virtually everybody in Formula 1."
