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On This Day – January 6 – in 1998, Michael Schumacher came close to legal strife after his controversial F1 title-deciding collision the year previously.
On January 6, 1998, Michael Schumacher faced legal issues following a controversial collision in the previous year’s Formula 1 championship, where he clashed with Jacques Villeneuve at Jerez.
Schumacher was accused of intentionally causing the collision with Villeneuve, ultimately leading to his retirement and Villeneuve’s victory, securing the Drivers’ Championship.
The FIA stripped Schumacher of all his points for that season after he admitted to his actions being deliberate but not premeditated.
Despite Ferrari retaining their second place in the Constructors’ Championship, the incident added a stain to Schumacher’s reputation, especially after his previous controversial collision in 1994.
The possibility of criminal charges against Schumacher for coercion and attempted murder was briefly considered by German authorities, but this notion was dismissed.
Schumacher went on to compete in the 1998 season, narrowly missing out on the title to Mika Hakkinen at the final race in Suzuka.
