• Football
  • Boxing
  • UFC
  • Home
  • Football
    • England
    • Transfer News
    • Premier League
    • Champions League
    • Lionel Messi
    • Cristiano Ronaldo
    • EA FC 25
    • Wrexham
  • Boxing
    • Tyson Fury
    • Anthony Joshua
    • Oleksandr Usyk
    • Mike Tyson
    • Jake Paul
    • Logan Paul
  • UFC
    • Dana White
    • Conor McGregor
    • Khabib Nurmagomedov
    • Jon Jones
    • Paddy Pimblett
    • Joe Rogan
  • Other Sport
    • Athletics
    • Formula 1
    • MMA
    • Motorsport
    • NBA
    • Darts
    • NFL
    • Snooker
    • Wrestling
    • Tennis
    • Cricket
    • Golf
  • Advertise
  • Terms
  • Privacy & Cookies
  • LADbible Group
  • LADbible
  • UNILAD
  • GAMINGbible
  • Tyla
  • UNILAD Tech
  • FOODbible
  • License Our Content
  • About Us & Contact
  • Jobs
  • Latest
  • Topics A-Z
  • Authors
Facebook
Instagram
X
Threads
Snapchat
TikTok
YouTube
Michael Schumacher faced police investigation over F1 crash that almost changed sport forever

Home> F1

Published 11:23 13 Jun 2025 GMT+1

Michael Schumacher faced police investigation over F1 crash that almost changed sport forever

Michael Schumacher is one of the greatest Formula 1 drivers of all time.

Marcus Chan

Marcus Chan

Formula 1 legend Michael Schumacher once faced a police investigation after a crash that could've changed the sport forever.

Schumacher, 56, will forever be regarded as one of the greatest drivers in F1 history.

Having raced for teams like Jordan, Benetton, Ferrari and Mercedes, the German won seven world titles during a stellar career.

Advert

In total, Schumacher has 91 Grand Prix victories, 155 podiums and has collected 1566 world championship points.

However, Schumacher's career could've been completely different after an incident that occurred during the 1997 season.

Heading into the final race of the season in Spain, Schumacher and Williams star Jacques Villeneuve were fighting to become the world champion.

Advert

With 22 laps to run, Villeneuve decided to launch an attack on the inside of Schumacher, only for the Ferrari star to turn in on him.

However, the move backfired for Schumacher as he ended up in the gravel and had to retire from the race.

Meanwhile, Villeneuve went on to finish 3rd and clinched the 1997 world title, winning by three points.

Schumacher was then summoned to the FIA disciplinary meeting over his move on Villeneuve and was later disqualified from the entire 1997 F1 World Championship.

Advert

Although the German managed to keep his race wins, results, points, and statistics, he lost his second place in the drivers' standings.

Schumacher's actions did not impact Ferrari as they were allowed to keep hold of their second place in the constructors' championship.

As reported by Planet F1, 'the FIA decree on the situation was that Schumacher’s actions “were deliberate but not premeditated”.'

Things then escalated further in January 1998, with prosecutors in Germany stating their intentions to explore the possibility of 'whether or not a criminal case should be taken against Schumacher'.

Advert

Michael Schumacher and Jacques Villeneuve in 1997. Image: Getty
Michael Schumacher and Jacques Villeneuve in 1997. Image: Getty

It was then suggested that the Schumacher and Villeneuve incident was examined based on possible charges such as coercion and attempted murder.

Head of the state prosecutor's office in Cologne, Hans Bernhard Jansen said: "We have received a written complaint from a German citizen in Frankfurt asking the state prosecution to check whether Schumacher’s action was punishable. A decision will be taken very soon."

However, the case was closed after just a few days as the prosecutors failed to find any evidence that proved Schumacher's actions broke the law.

Advert

Jansen explained: "An investigation into Schumacher’s behaviour has not revealed that any criminal act was committed."

Speaking about the incident, Schumacher took full responsibility, he said: "I am human like everyone else and unfortunately I made a mistake. I don’t make many but I did this time."

Schumacher went on to win five more titles in 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003 and 2004, making him a seven-time world champion.

Featured Image Credit: Getty

Topics: Michael Schumacher, Formula 1

Marcus Chan
Marcus Chan

Advert

Advert

Advert

Choose your content:

15 hours ago
a day ago
  • 15 hours ago

    Christian Horner has made his feelings clear on Lewis Hamilton amid Ferrari links

    Christian Horner has been linked with a move to Ferrari.

    F1
  • 15 hours ago

    Bombshell Lewis Hamilton report drops on what will happen if Christian Horner joins Ferrari after Red Bull exit

    An F1 insider has explained exactly what could happen if the former rivals reunited at Ferrari.

    F1
  • a day ago

    Max Verstappen's family member drops huge bombshell to leave podcast host stunned after Christian Horner sacking

    Christian Horner was sacked by Red Bull Racing this week.

    F1
  • a day ago

    Lewis Hamilton made his feelings clear on Christian Horner at Ferrari as rumours heat up after Red Bull sacking

    Horner was relieved of his duties as team principal and CEO of Red Bull following Sunday’s British grand prix

    F1
  • Michael Schumacher given ban and point deduction after shocking act during British Grand Prix at Silverstone
  • F1 legend Michael Schumacher left 'god of his sport' starstruck during 2004 Silverstone visit
  • Three men charged over alleged Michael Schumacher blackmail plot that targeted F1 legend's family
  • F1 icon Michael Schumacher faced world rally champion in one-off racing event and the result was fascinating