Michael Schumacher was 'forgiven' as friend of F1 icon makes controversial call
Michael Schumacher beat Damon Hill to F1 glory in controversial circumstances back in 1994
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The F1 world has been left surprised after a close friend of Michael Schumacher said the 54-year-old should be stripped of his 1994 title.
Nearly three decades ago, the German managed to secure glory in controversial circumstances.
Schumacher, who was racing for Benetton at the time, had gone into the Australian Grand Prix 1994 with a lead over Hill.
He knew that, if he bettered his opponent or both men couldn't complete the race, a maiden title would be his.
Damon Hill forgave Michael Schumacher following their F1 crash nearly three decades ago
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The race in Adelaide would go on to become the stuff of F1 legend, an incident still discussed today.
With just one point between them, everything was on the line.
And Schumacher ended up colliding with Hill to wipe both men out of the race, meaning the German had won the Drivers' Championship for the very first time.
Fast-forward to now, and the former Benetton driver's triumph all those years ago has been questioned by a close friend.
Roger Benoit, who would smoke cigars with Schumacher after races, told Blick that his pal should have his 1994 title removed.
"Of course, I know that he was world champion seven times," he said.
"But the 1994 title should actually be taken away from him because he only won it because of his foul on Damon Hill."
Schumacher, at the time of the incident with Hill, was scrutinised.
Some felt he had crashed into his rival on purpose, jeopardising his life in order to etch his name into the F1 history books.
That's something the German always denied, however.
It was certainly a moment that left a sour taste. Hill was devastated, having done everything possible to emerge from their battle victorious.
Back in 2018, though, the former F1 star revealed he had forgiven Schumacher.
Celebrities, fans and sporting figures all spoke about Schumacher on the five-year anniversary of his tragic skiing accident.
The former Ferrari star hasn't been seen in public for a decade after hitting his head on a rock.
Hill, however, showed great class by saying on Twitter: "He wasn't quite so kind to me! But I forgive him.
"Shame we never got to know one another better. Great shame."
Earlier this year, Hill also admitted he felt sad over the fact he and Schumacher had never struck up a relationship.
“I didn’t have much to do with Michael, not because of any other reason," said the Brit.
"I’d retired from racing and he was still racing. And when we were racing we were sort of rivals.
“I don’t think he was really interested in getting any relationship going. It’s a shame.
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Michael Schumacher hasn't been seen in public since 2013 after F1 icon was injured in a skiing accident
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"I would have liked to have known him better. But that might not happen now. It’s just really bad what happened to Michael.”
While Benoit feels Schumacher should lose his title from 1994, that's unlikely to happen.
F1 chiefs have stood their ground for over three decades. As a result, it's hard to see that happening any time soon.
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