Michael Schumacher: The Whole Story

by Christopher Hilton

When Michael Schumacher retired from Formula One, battling to win his eighth World Championship, fans questioned how he, and indeed former team-mates and rivals, would react after the end of such a stupendous, record-breaking career. In this paperback edition of his highly successful hardback biography, Christopher Hilton updates the story of this controversial genius who, with a powerful mix of sublime skills and raw drama, in turns thrilled and enraged the Grand Prix world.

Genres: Biography, Sports, Nonfiction

464 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2007

About the author

Christopher (Chris) Hilton was a former sportswriter with the Daily Express.

Hilton had begun his career in journalism at The Journal in Newcastle, and then worked at the Express‘s offices in Manchester before moving to London in the mid-1970s when recruited by then sports editor Ken Lawrence to cover Formula 1.

Hilton was a key member of the sports desk editing staff, as well as covering ice skating for the paper during the period when Torvill and Dean were winning world and Olympic ice dance titles.

For the past two decades after leaving the Express, Hilton has freelanced, especially in F1 and writing his books, including biographies of Ayrton Senna, James Hunt and Michael Schumacher, as well as a novel. As recently as last month, his latest book, about F1 team leader Ross Brawn, was published.

Chris Hilton leaves a wife, Jean, and daughter.

Reviews

[Ming Wei · Rating 5 out of 5]

A legend in my eyes, book does him justice

[Ben Waterworth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Been a while since I read this but such a delight to go over Michael’s career again and hear such a perfect insight into his career. Would be interesting for it to be updated for his return in 2010, but still a worthy biography that is arguably one of the best ever written on the GOAT.

[Giles Knight · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was purchased this book as a gift and enjoyed it but due to his comeback for Mercedes after this book was published, the whole story it is not anymore.

The book was informative and well written by Hilton who writes similar books about other formula one heroes.

If you are looking for a book that unlocks why Schumacher rammed Hill to win the title or what was going through his mind when he parked his car at the circuit to prevent Alonso from setting a pole time then this is not the book but I guess you'd only get that in an autobiography.

I enjoyed particularly reading about Schumacher's exploits in German F3 against drivers like Frentzen and Wendlinger, the Macau GP win and his time in the Mercedes C9 in the World Endurance Championship (another classical Schumacher moment of win at all costs).

Culminating in the 2006 Brazilian Grand Prix in a chapter that in short I could not put down as Michael charged from last to try win his final championship.

This books a good read but I'd live an autobiog. Get well soon Schumi

[Kristina Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you only read one Schumacher biography, I'd recommend this one. The style is very flowing, using interviews and press releases from the time so you have a real idea of thoughts and feelings as they happened. It feels as though it was written in collaboration with all the people involved. There's plenty of insights from Schumacher, Ross Brawn, Byrne, Stepney and others.
I admire Christopher Hilton for being able to bring so many sources together and write the story in such a clear and readable fashion. He even manages to bring the races to life so you feel the excitement of the championships fought.

[Elliot · Rating 4 out of 5]

on him the weight of comparison must fall.