WATCH: 20-Year Old Picture Shows Michael Schumacher With Mattia Binotto on the Football Field

It is obvious that Michael Schumacher always had a very strong rapport with Ferrari during and after his 11-year stint. Following a shaky start to his campaign during the late 90s, the German hit the peak during the wake of the 20th century, winning 5 championship titles on the trot until 2004.

Interestingly, the battle doesn’t always happen with other teams on the track, but also within Ferrari. During a podcast, Ferrari’s team principal, Mattia Binotto, revealed that he and his crew would often play football with Schumacher during the latter’s stay at the team.

And here is the original photo without the text from Miodrag Kotur’s Instagram. pic.twitter.com/xB2aS1VPIx

— Out of Context Mattia Binotto (@OfMattia) October 21, 2021

Well, Miodrag Kotur, former Ferrari logistics manager, opened up about how the football story goes. The Serbian revealed that he would often organize stadiums for the team following the technical meetings on Thursdays. And the one who pushes the team to play football had always been Schumacher.

How Michael Schumacher mended Ferrari with football

Kotur, who currently runs the Leopard Racing Team in Moto3, took to Instagram to reveal how Schumacher always created positive dynamics within Ferrari. He posted an image of the Ferrari crew, which also included a younger version of Binotto.

“Every Thursday, after the last technical meeting Schumacher would be eager to play football as a team. I would
organise stadiums for us to all play together,” he wrote.

“This brought us closer together and created positive team dynamics during the week. I think these are moments that will always be in the memories of those with us during those times. FORZA FERRARI!!” Kotur concluded.

Ferrari’s way of trusting the drivers despite poor results

Ferrari, unlike many other teams, often stick with the same crew in the long run irrespective of how bad their on-track results turn out. And this was exactly the reason why Schumacher managed to create such mountainous records in F1.

KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA – APRIL 04: Former Ferrari Formula One World Champion Michael Schumacher of Germany is seen on the Ferrari pitwall before qualifying for the Malaysian Formula One Grand Prix at the Sepang Circuit on April 4, 2009 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. (Photo by Clive Mason/Getty Images)

Ever since joining Ferrari in 1996, Schumacher just couldn’t bring the team’s championship drought to an end. However, despite coming close and failing for 4 years, Ferrari continued to rest their faith in the German. And boy did he give them what they deserved in 2000 – a driver’s championship title for the first time since 1979.

And the legacy of Schumacher has since been alive! Yes, Lewis Hamilton is on the verge of smashing Schumacher’s long-held record, but one cannot take anything away from Schumacher, who will continue to be one of the greatest drivers ever to compete in F1.

Watch Story: Insane Michael Schumacher Records That Lewis Hamilton Hasn’t Broken Yet

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