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The Spanish Grand Prix is one of the oldest Formula One races in the world. The Circuit de Catalunya has been hosting F1 races since 1913. The circuit has had some memorable moments. In the modern era, one particular driver has had some magnificent moments in Spain. Michael Schumacher, one of the greatest drivers in that era, had some great memories in Spain. When one looks at the 90s, Michael Schumacher had his finest moments in 1995, 1996 and 2000 in Spain.
The fact that he has won the Spanish Grand Prix a record six times is a testament to his fondness for the circuit. His first big moment came in the 1995 Grand Prix in Spain. Schumacher gave Benetton a sense of history with a flawless display on race day. The Spanish GP weekend started with Ferrari securing a 1-2 finish on Friday in practice. The Benetton engineers worked hard meant that Schumacher produced a lap six-tenths faster than anyone on the track and made him the pole-sitter come race day.
Schumacher led from start to finish on a two-stop strategy. His team mate Johnny Herbert left the pits with the rear jack attached to his car. On the last lap Hill, lying second, suffered a hydraulic problem which saw him crawl across the line in fourth. This allowed Herbert to finish second, his best finish to date and his first-ever podium finish. This was Benetton’s first one-two at that period as Schumacher won nine races to win his second consecutive F1 title.
In 1996, Schumacher put on one of the finest racing performances in history. Driving for Ferrari in the torrential rain, he produced a stunning drive, and is a prime example of why he earned the nickname “Regenmeister” (“Rainmaster”). It poured all day in Spain. The conditions were bad enough to think that the race should not have begun.
In the gloom, Damon Hill spun twice in the first nine laps. Schumacher made a bad start and dropped back from his third place on the grid, but by lap 13 he was past Hill’s team-mate Jacques Villeneuve and into the lead. From that point on, Schumacher lapped five second quicker than anybody on the circuit. When he won, only six cars remained in an attriotional race. Schumacher was 45 second ahead of Jean Alesi and he won an epic race.
In the same circuit in Spain four years later, Schumacher was well off the pace against McLaren’s Mika Hakkinen. Although Schumacher had secured pole, Hakkinen had stretched his advantage. In the closing laps, Hakkinen increased his lead over Schumacher to over 40 seconds. It appeared that the McLaren driver would win the race comfortably. However, as Hakkinen started the final lap, his engine failed without warning and was forced to coast around the circuit before pulling off at turn seven. Schumacher was thus promoted into the lead, which he held to take his third victory of the season.
It is safe to say that Schumacher’s legend was forged in Spain through various masterful drives and good luck. It was a privilege for fans to have experienced it.
