McLaren driver rejected Ferrari after being told he would have crazy Michael Schumacher clause in contract

A former McLaren driver once rejected Ferrari after he was told that he would have a Michael Schumacher clause included in his contract.

Schumacher is widely regarded as one of the greatest-ever drivers in Formula 1 history, having won a remarkable seven world titles.

The German won two championships with Benetton, before winning five more during a dominant spell with Ferrari.

He initially retired from Formula 1 in 2006, before returning for a three-year stint with Mercedes from 2010.

In total, he won 91 races, stood on the podium 155 times and collected 1566 world championship points.

During his time at Ferrari, Schumacher had three teammates: Eddie Irvine, Rubens Barrichello and Felipe Massa.

But one driver who was approached about the second-seat was British racing driver David Coulthard.

David Coulthard turned down the chance to move to Ferrari. (Image: Tristan Fewings / Stringer via Getty)

The Scotsman competed in F1 from 1994 to 2008 and enjoyed most of his success in a McLaren, where he won 12 races.

Coulthard revealed in the Formula for Success podcast that he had a meeting with Jean Todt, who was the Ferrari team boss at the time.

But ultimately he turned down the offer when he learned he would have to play a supporting role to Schumacher.

He said: "I met with Jean Todt in Paris in his apartment, to talk about the potential to drive for Ferrari.

“And my recollection of the contract offered was basically a number two contract

"Despite whatever anyone can now conclude about my career, at that time, I still felt that I wasn’t going to sign anything other than equal opportunity.

“And so essentially, if I was running fourth and Michael was fifth, then I had to move over and all the way right up to if I was leading.

"And I just couldn’t agree to signing to that.”

Coulthard remained loyal to McLaren. (Image: Darren Heath Photographer / Contributor via Getty)

At the time, Coulthard was racing under Ron Dennis at McLaren, where he competed equally alongside two-time world champion Mika Hakkinen.

He praised McLaren for giving him the opportunity to prove himself.

"All credit to Ron and McLaren, the contract they offered me was always equal opportunity,” Coulthard added.

"And although there was a clause that said you had to accept the instructions of the team principal, in whatever circumstance it might be.

"Largely speaking, I was given a fair and equal opportunity to crack on and try and see how good I could develop my skills.

“So that was the only team really I spoke to during my nine years at McLaren.”