Michael Schumacher was described as 'quite a fragile human being' by former Ferrari boss Jean Todt in a new interview released this week, as the long-time ally pushed back against claims that the seven-time Formula 1 world champion was arrogant during his career. Speaking on the 'High Performance' podcast, Todt said self-doubt, not swagger, sat at the core of Schumacher's character and helped turn him into one of the most formidable drivers in F1 history.
There's public debate over Schumacher's personality, much of it shaped by his relentless success at Benetton and Ferrari and the iron grip he and Todt held over the sport in the early 2000s. To many casual viewers, Schumacher appeared ruthless and remote, particularly during controversial flashpoints on track. Todt, who worked with him from 1996 to 2006 and has remained close to the family since the driver's life‑changing skiing accident, now argues that the popular caricature of an icy, untouchable champion was built on a misunderstanding.
