SCHUMACHER’S CAREER IN NUMBERS

7 - his record tally of world drivers’ titles, two with Benetton in 1994 and 1995 and then an unprecedented five on the spin for Ferrari. 21 - Schumacher’s title in 2000 was the Prancing Horse’s first in 21 years.

91 - race wins, from 306 starts - he remains 18 clear of second-placed Lewis Hamilton on the all-time list. 7 - his longest run of consecutive race wins, in 2004. Only Sebastian Vettel, with nine, has ever had a longer winning run.

68 - pole positions, which was also a record until passed by Hamilton.

17 - he finished on the podium in all 17 races of the 2002 season.

77 - his tally of fastest laps is a remarkable 67 per cent clear of his nearest pursuer, Kimi Raikkonen on 46.

16 - his grid position when he won the 1995 Belgian Grand Prix. Only five races have ever been won from further back on the grid.

8 - wins at the French Grand Prix, the most by any driver at a single event. His seven wins in both Canada and San Marino are also unmatched by any other driver.

15 - consecutive seasons with a grand prix win, from 1992 to 2006. It is a record, three clear of Hamilton.

1,566 - points in his F1 career.

43 - age when he drove in his final grand prix, in Brazil in 2012. He had originally retired in 2006 but returned three years later.