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

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.

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.

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.

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'.

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.

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.