F1 urged to strip Michael Schumacher of debut World Championship title amid Lewis Hamilton title battle

The Formula 1 governing board, the FIA, has been urged to strip Michael Schumacher of his first World Championship title. It comes 29 years after the legendary driver finished ahead of Damon Hill, taking home his debut title in the sport.

Schumacher was with Benetton in 1994, when he took home his debut Championship win, the first of seven World Championship titles. The German legend is tied with Lewis Hamilton for the record of most titles secured by a driver.

The German driver’s first title win has been a hot topic of debate since 1994 after the final race in Adelaide where Schumacher was leading the championship by 1 point, ahead of Williams’ Damon Hill. British driver Hill had won the two previous races and was hoping to secure the title in the final race.

Schumacher was leading the race after 35 laps, when he made a rare error and drove his car into the wall. The German driver’s car was damaged and as Hill went to pass him, Schumacher turned his car into the Williams and made contact.

Both drivers were taken out of the race due to their damaged cars, which meant Schumacher took the World Championship, which he then retained in 1995. Following his two consecutive wins, the driver then moved to Ferrari before claiming a further five Championship titles.

Motorsport journalist Roger Benoit has now shared his thoughts on the win, claiming Lewis Hamilton should hold the record on his own. Speaking to Blick, when Benoit was asked about Schumacher being considered among the greatest in the sport, he said: “As a six-time World Champion, he definitely belongs in the top 5”.

The journalist then questioned why he used the term ‘six-time World Champion’, with Benoit saying: “Of course, I know that he was World Champion seven times. But the 1994 title should actually be taken away from him because he only won it because of his foul on Damon Hill.”

Last week Benoit also shared a health update on the former Formula 1 driver after his accident in 2013. Schumacher has not been seen by the public in the last 10 years after a tragic ski accident left him with life-threatening injuries.

Very little has been said about the driver’s health condition, but recently Benoit shared that he was a “case without hope”. In a rare interview with Schumacher’s wife Corinna, she said her husband was “different, but here”.

Damon Hill successfully secured a Driver’s World Championship in 1996. Lewis Hamilton who holds the joint record with Schumacher has now got one of his own titles in doubt.

Former driver Felipe Massa has begun legal action against the FIA after finishing as a runner-up to the iconic British driver at the end of the 2008 season.