There aren’t many Formula 1 drivers quite like Michael Schumacher. His ruthlessness, meticulous attention to detail, and pure speed was the perfect recipe for not just success, but total domination.
The German won a staggering seven Drivers’ Championships, including five in a row with Ferrari, and claimed his first ever title 31 years ago this week. Across 308 Grands Prix, Schumacher achieved an unbelievable 91 wins, 155 podiums, and 68 pole positions – but his legacy goes far beyond the numbers.__
Schumacher once said, “Just being a mediocre driver has never been my ambition. That’s not my style.” Michael carried that ethos into his fashion – which was certainly not mediocre. Whether it was his early days at Benetton, his glory days at Ferrari or his shock comeback with Mercedes, here’s how Schumacher’s style ebbed and flowed with each era.
1991-1995 – ‘The bold rookie’: Jordan and Benetton era
Schumacher exploded onto the scene at the 1991 Belgian Grand Prix with Jordan, immediately impressing with a fearless P7 in his debut Qualifying session at the daunting Spa-Francorchamps circuit. This session alone was enough to secure a seat with Benetton for the rest of the season.
This era was all about raw and aggressive driving, and Schumacher made plenty of waves in the Formula 1 paddock. But as Michael was finding his feet in the cockpit, his fashionable reputation also began to take shape.
Athleisure dominated the 1990s, and Schumacher leaned into this trend. Hard. Tracksuit trousers tucked into white socks, tight bicycle shorts, and quarter zips were Schumacher’s favourite off-duty uniform. His fashion sense was functional and unpretentious, much like his driving style.
1996-2006 – ‘The German cowboy’: Ferrari era
Joining Ferrari was a risk for Schumacher. The team hadn’t won the Drivers’ Championship since Jody Scheckter’s 1979 triumph. Could he help turn the team around? His driving style had to become more refined as the car wouldn’t allow him to drive in his signature style. So, the early Ferrari years were all about testing. He spent hundreds of hours at Fiorano refining the car, where he mastered his control of oversteer, allowing him to place the car exactly where he wanted.
While he was tuning his car, Schumacher kept his style profile to a minimum, often opting for jeans, Ferrari shirts and caps. Despite playing it safe in the early days, the German was still creating a name for himself in fashion.
In 1996, Schumacher teamed up with Nike, famous for their collaboration with Chicago Bulls star Michael Jordan, to create a signature racing shoe. The Ferrari red shoe is now a rare collectors’ item, proving that even as he focused on perfecting his racing, Michael was still cementing his status as a style icon.
As his confidence grew, so did his style in the paddock, and the latter half of his Ferrari era was all about dressing to impress. Schumacher was winning races and dominating headlines. He became known for pairing cowboy boots with floral shirts to make a statement – an unexpected look for a driver of a heritage team like Ferrari. However, these kinds of looks were not entirely leftfield for Schumacher, who enjoyed riding horses and owns several horse ranches.
At this point, Schumacher was experimenting with fashion more than ever before. He would pair leather jackets with graphic tees and large cowboy belts. Schumacher wasn’t afraid to play with proportions, choosing figure-hugging t-shirts and oversized jackets.
In 2008, Schumacher attended a film premiere with his wife, Corrina, wearing leather trousers and a fur-trimmed leather coat. An incredibly bold look that showcased his love of fashion risk-taking.
2010-2012 – ‘The comeback kid’: Mercedes era
When Schumacher returned to the track after retirement, a lot had changed. There were new tyres, new technology, and new teams, as Michael became part of Mercedes’ brand-new line-up.
For Schumacher, having achieved all that there was in the sport, this era was all about progressing the fledgling team, so his personal style took a back seat. A more subdued, corporate look replaced his previously bold, expressive style. Leather jackets and bright shirts were replaced with team kits and trainers – very much in line with the style of early 2010s.
Give it up for the sunglasses
You couldn’t separate Schumacher from his impressive collection of sunglasses. They were a staple around the paddock, but they weren’t just fashion accessories. They were functional performance gear that he often wore on podiums and in public. They became so synonymous with him as a driver that he created his own range, The Michael Schumacher Collection.
His shades perfectly reflected Schumacher’s approach to fashion: functional, performance-oriented, but unquestionably stylish. The wraparound style he often wore was both practical for all the time he spent around the circuit in bright sunlight and on-brand for his high-octane lifestyle.
Schumacher walked so Hamilton could run
Fans of the sport know that there would be no paddock fashion now without the likes of Schumacher or Ayrton Senna leading the way. While today’s paddock resembles a runway, bold and unique looks can be few and far between.
Drivers like Lewis Hamilton, Lando Norris, Yuki Tsunoda, Daniel Ricciardo, and Fernando Alonso have used fashion to express themselves, often drawing inspiration from past drivers. Hamilton has worn several outfits that commemorate Senna, for example. And if you look at any ’90s and Y2K-inspired mood board, there will be at least one reference to Michael Schumacher.
Schumacher’s fashion choices continue to inspire the next generation long after he left the sport. He made bold decisions on the track, and even bolder ones with his paddock style.
Schumacher once said, “If you do things to the limit, and don’t purposely go over that limit, then I think it’s fine to do whatever you want. So long as you enjoy it – that’s what’s important.” You can see that in how he expressed himself. Michael did what he wanted, explored his limits, and enjoyed every second.
