Schumacher so happy to be in Malaysia again
BY AUDREY EDWARDSPETALING JAYA: Seven-time Formula One champion Michael Schumacher is bent on beating the rest when he goes into the racing circuit, but when he wants to unwind he is more likely to be seen on a bicycle or romping on a soccer field.
When he faces the press, he talks about his holidays and reporters know he has enjoyed cycling around Langkawi and cherished the friendliness of the locals.
Early this week, he took part in a friendly soccer match between a village team in Dungun, Terengganu, and a nearby resort. He scored once for the visiting team in their 2-1 victory over the villagers but they loved him anyway.
He admits it was fun and while he could not speak the local language, he reckons he was able to bridge the gap with the kampung folk.
“I love soccer, so it was nice of them to play with me. Of course, I was not really able to speak with them but this was not needed.
“During a match you do understand each other, trust me,” he said, in an e-mail response to The Star.
On a more serious note, the 36-year-old driver said that he had been preparing in every aspect for the Petronas Malaysian Grand Prix this weekend although he had managed to spend time with wife Corinna and manager Willi Weber.
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FAVOURITE PURSUIT: Schumacher leaving the soccer field in Dungun on a Harley Davidson motorcycle after a friendly match with the locals. |
He and teammate Rubens Barrichello are also expected to attend the Petronas Malaysian Grand Prix Ice Gala today where proceeds will go towards helping victims of the Dec 26 tsunami disaster.
The German, who lost one of his bodyguards to the killer waves, had donated US$10mil (RM38mil) when the disaster struck.
Both drivers will be donating racing suits worn in the 2003 F1 season for the auction at the gala dinner.
Meanwhile “Ice Man” Kimi Raikkonen of McLaren Mercedes has managed to chill out on the golf course prior to the race.
Raikkonen, who arrived on Monday with his wife Jenni Dahlman, has been training and getting his body used to the heat.
“I have also spent time relaxing with my wife, just generally chilling out, playing golf, that kind of thing,” he said in an e-mail interview.
The Sepang F1 circuit also holds special memories for the 25-year-old Finnish as he had won his first Formula One race there two years ago.
Teammate Juan Pablo Montoya, 29, spent time in Singapore before coming to Kuala Lumpur. The Colombian said that he always looked forward to racing here and one usually saw interesting races at Sepang.
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