Michael Schumacher 'should be stripped of F1 title' - friend of F1 icon speaks out
F1 icon Michael Schumacher hasn't been seen in public since 2013
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Michael Schumacher's close friend, Roger Benoit, thinks the F1 icon should be stripped of his 1994 title.
The German was able to reign supreme that year after a crash with rival Damon Hill in the final race in Australia.
Schumacher led Hill from the start of that race and, just before the midway point, the German crashed into a wall to dent his chances of glory.
He then bounced back onto the track and collided with Hill, with both men then forced out of the race.
Michael Schumacher won the 1994 F1 title in controversial circumstances
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Given Schumacher had led by one-point prior to the race, it meant the 54-year-old claiming the title in controversial circumstances.
And Benoit, speaking to Blick, believes the F1 icon should be stripped of his prize.
"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."
If Benoit got his way, Schumacher would be downgraded to six Formula One titles.
And that would make Lewis Hamilton the greatest F1 driver of all time, at least from a statistical standpoint.
Benoit, in his interview, was also asked to provide an update on Schumacher's health.
The German hasn't been seen in public since a skiing accident in December 2013, with his family often keeping his condition under wraps.
And Benoit delivered a devastating update, saying Schumacher was a 'case without hope'.
"No," he said when asked if he was able to provide an update
"There is only one answer to this question and that is what his son Mick gave in one of his rare interviews in 2022: ‘I would give anything to talk to dad’.
"This sentence says everything about how his father has been doing for over 3500 days. A case without hope.”
Benoit was referring to comments made by Schumacher's son, Mick.
Last year, the 24-year-old said: “I think dad and me, we would understand each other in a different way now.
"We would have had much more to talk about and that is where my head is most of the time, thinking that would be so cool.
"I would give up everything just for that.
"These moments that I believe many people have with their parents are no longer present, or to a lesser extent."
Schumacher's old team-mate Johnny Herbert, meanwhile, believes 'everyone loses out' amid his friend's ongoing time away from the spotlight.
“We have lost a megastar of our sport who gave so much enjoyment to a lot of people,” Herbert said recently.
“It was very sad that Mick couldn’t have his Dad around and it is sad that we as an F1 community don’t have him around the paddock.
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Michael Schumacher became an F1 icon by winning seven titles during his spell in the sport
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“It is a shame. Everyone loses out on learning about the Michael Schumacher we never saw when he was in the cockpit.”