Click to play videoMaranello (Italy): Italian car maker Ferrari had the perfect package for so many years - Michael Schumacher winning five consecutive World Championships for them, and after retiring, the legendary German is now a consultant with his former team. But as CNN's Alessio Vinci found out in this exclusive chat, Schumi doesn't like to talk much about F1, neither is he too impressed by comparisons drawn between him and the current trailblazer Lewis Hamilton.
The official Formula One website calls him "statistically the greatest driver the sport has ever seen". Indeed he holds nearly every record in the business; Driver's Championships, seven in total; he won five of them consecutively with Ferrari between 2000 and 2004; most race victories in one season, most points scored, most pole positions.
Driving a unique F360 Barchetta on Ferrari's racetrack in Maranello, Michael Schumacher says words alone can't explain the emotion that comes with driving these cars.
Michael Schumacher: In our business, usually the teams, they maybe have a group of fans. We have a whole country.
Alessio Vinci: Obviously you have a big fan club but do you miss being in the race everyday?
Michael Schumacher: If I would miss it then I would do it, you know. Now I found a nice way of life without Formula One.
Schumacher is still involved with Formula One and Ferrari. He is often seen on the race track advising CEO Jean Todt.
Alessio Vinci: There is a new guy around the block that everyone talks about. I just want your comment on Hamilton, they say he is the next Schumacher.
Michael Schumacher: Nobody is a next Schumacher. It's the same story when I arrived they called me the next (Ayrton) Senna. I don't like those comparisons because everyone has their own character. He is certainly doing a fantastic job. Things are going very well with him. It's surprising how consistent he can deliver.
That is the extent to which Schumacher agrees to discuss Formula One today.
Alessio Vinci: What about your future, any dreams of doing something completely different perhaps?
Michael Schumacher: That is my luxury, I don't need to have any plans. They will come up and develop themselves and when the right moment in time will come, maybe I can decide something.
I give it another try, I ask him if he doesn't believe that Formula One is boring today since the top two or three sponsors keep winning.
Michael Schumacher: I don't think you would be here asking me all these questions if Formula One would be so boring. Would you be here?
Probably not I say.
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