Damon Hill says Michael Schumacher made him feel “useless and talentless”.
Yesterday, Wednesday, was the 30th anniversary of Schumacher's first title (seven titles in total, a record jointly held with Lewis Hamilton), won when he crashed into Hill in Adelaide in 1994.
To mark the anniversary, German newspaper Bild asked Hill, the 1996 world champion, to reminisce about their infamous title clash and their relationship.
“Michael and I got along well but on the track we hated each other. It was and is not possible to be otherwise if you want to become world champion.”
“There was no room for kindness. You have to exploit all of your opponent's weaknesses and wear them out.”
Hill admits that Schumacher, who has unfortunately not been seen in public since suffering brain damage in a ski fall in 2013, was a master of psychological warfare.
“Michael was a master of mind games. He made me feel worthless and talentless. And he told the press that too.”
“As he had won many races at the time, there was no reason not to believe him.”
But Hill admits that Schumacher was a very different person off the track, especially with his own family.
“Michael was a very competitive person but also very warm.”
