F1 | Sabine Kehm remembers Suzuka 2000: “Fundamental victory for Schumacher and Ferrari”

Sabine kehm, historic spokesperson for Michael Schumacher, was the protagonist of the weekly podcast Beyond The Grid published on the official Formula One website.

Kehm, speaking of the seven-time world champion, recalled how the victory in the 2000 Japanese GP, which allowed the German to win his third world title and Ferrari to put an end to a 21-year fast, was decisive for the continuation of the career of the Kaiser and of the Maranello team itself. In fact, after that triumph, the Red Team and Schumacher won continuously until 2004.

"It was clear that the pressure was extremely high, I felt it was a decisive year – underlined Kehm -. I don't know what would have happened if they hadn't made it. She did an incredible job that year and gave everything. When Michael won the title in Suzuka I never imagined such an explosion of emotions from the entire team. When he crossed the finish line the people in the back of the garage were in tears. Only then did I understand what that success meant for them, who had chased it for so many years".

He then added: “There were some mechanics who had worked there for 25 years and they shed real tears, but they were ashamed and tried to cover them up. I have never seen something so touching. It was even bigger than I expected".