THIS IS LIFE
The first name you think of in Formula 1, Michael Schumacher, talks about off the track driving and why he's concerned about it, in an exclusive interview
VANNIYA SRIANGURA
Today, Schumacher is an active voice in raising public awareness of road safety.
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He's smart, he's gorgeous and probably the fastest driver in the world. But when he goes out for a drink, seven-times world racing champion, Michael Schumacher always leaves his car at home.
Having been on the racing circuits since he was four and breaking many records in Formula 1 - like 91 race victories, fastest laps and most wins in a single season - Schumacher has clearly shown the world that driving has been more than simply his passion. It's his true devotion and great pride.
However, when off the track there's another significant interest that the 39-year-old motor sport legend has been dedicated to for over the past 10 years. Perhaps in gratitude for his prize-winning career, Schumacher has continuously been an active voice in raising public awareness of road safety.
In 1998, together with FIA (Federation Internationale de L'Automobile) he promoted a campaign called "10 Seconds To Save Your Life". And in 2005 he promoted the "Think Before You Drive" campaign that aimed direct public attention to road risks including speeding and driving under the influence of intoxicants.
Since retiring in 2006, he has become more involved in road safety initiatives, including the Commission for Global Road Safety and the FIA Foundation's "Make Roads Safe" campaign.
World racing champion Michael Schumacher. |
Schumacher was recently chosen by Bacardi as a global ambassador for its social responsibility campaign called "Champions Drink Responsibly", and he is continuing to spread the message to young people around the world that drinking and driving don't mix.
Each year 1.2 million people worldwide are killed by traffic accidents, and alcohol is frequently reported as one of the most serious contributing factors to those road crashes. It is also statistically predicted that in 2015 one in every six people on earth will be killed, injured, or know someone who is a victim of road accidents. Needeless to say, drunk driving plays an enormous part in that.
Thailand is one of 40 countries in which Bacardi has introduced its 2008 global social responsibility campaign. Research shows that more than half of the traffic accidents in the country each year are a result of drunk driving - most occurring in summer during the Songkran festival.
According to the Ministry of Interior's Department of Disaster Prevention and Migitation, from April 11-17 this year (the period known as the danger week of Songkran) 4,243 traffic accidents were reported in which 368 people died and 4,803 were injured. The No. 1 cause was alcohol, responsible for 27.78 percent.
It was at the recent Bacardi campaign launch at Autoworld Museum in Brussels, Belgium, that I had a chance to sit with one of the most recognisable people on the planet. It was a rare opportunity to see the super VIP in real life - wearing casual yet diplomatic-looking attire instead of a Ferrari race suit and arriving in a yellow cab - let alone have an exclusive interview with him. So, as soon as the watch started ticking, I had to remind myself that there was no time to spare for "Hello. How are you?"
Why are you so involved in road safety campaigns?
Let's put it this way: I've been on the lucky side of life. Cars and motor racing are a big subject for me and I've been given a lot by my sport. So if I can give something back by helping to save lives on the roads, both actively and passively sides, with my message, that would be my biggest achievement.
I see this Champions Drink Responsibly campaign as part of a continuing project that I started together with the FIA Foundation many years ago. Through the GPDA (the Grand Prix Drivers Association) and FIA foundations, we've always taken care and tried to pay as much attention to people on the road as possible.
How many road safety campaigns are you promoting right now?
There are many, but I don't think I can do enough. As we've seen, the (drunk driving) problem has increased to a critical degree because very often, people just talk about it but don't really think about the consequences. Many people still get behind the wheel after they've been drinking, especially the younger people.
Due to my position right now I am able to raise the attention of younger people around the world, and create public awareness of an existing problem. It would be nice if I could save just one life out of many.
What is your personal message to them?
I'd like to say "Think before you act." Whenever you go out for a drink, it's best to make arrangements beforehand because the consequences can be fatal. In fact, there are plenty of options and one I'd like to mention is the taxi. They are everywhere, all around the world.
Have you ever been to Thailand?
Yes, but only for an overnight stop during a Formula 1 tournament some years ago.
So you might not know that illegal street racing has been a major problem in Thailand for many years now. As someone who promotes road safety, what would be your comment on that?
One thing is clear, if you try to race somebody on the road, you put yourself at risk and you win absolutely nothing. At the same time, you are putting the lives of other people around you in danger. If you want to race, use a racing track.
But these people may believe that racing on public streets is more challenging?
Believe me, it's more challenging on a track. And if you want a bigger challenge, I'll come and race you.
As a person many men look up to, what would you say to someone who sees driving aggressively as a way of looking macho?
If I'm better than somebody on the road I would try to help him, not compete with him. What's the point if you can go faster than an old lady who's barely capable of driving? There would be no satisfaction. You should use your ability to support rather than to do the opposite.
Since you retired from Formula 1 two years ago, you're more often seen on motorcycle tracks. Are you more into two wheels now?
I'm a Harley Davidson aficionado. I've probably had the bike for 10 years now. But I've just been on the motorcycles properly for half a year. It's pure enjoyment. I enjoy riding them on the track. I know I'm not becoming another Valentino Rossi or Casey Stoner - though it could be possible - but it's absolutely not my intention. It's just a way to enjoy myself.
Don't you miss competing?
No, I think I chose the right moment to step out of the racing world. I'd been doing the Formula 1 for so long that it came to the point where I no longer enjoyed competing. Motorbike racing is another thing. I'm not getting into the same mechanism. The speed is purely for fun.
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