Michael Schumacher’s close friend claims F1 legend should be STRIPPED of seventh world title and won’t acknowledge it

5 hours ago 33

MICHAEL SCHUMACHER should have a world title taken away, claims his friend Roger Benoit.

The F1 legend won the world championship a record seven times between 1994 and 2004.

Michael Schumacher should have a world title taken away, says Roger Benoit[/caption]

Damon Hill could have won the 1994 title if not for a crash with Schumacher[/caption]

But Benoit believes his first triumph should be stripped away from him due to the controversial manner of the win.

Schumacher led the championship ahead of Damon Hill going into the final race in Australia, where the pair infamously crashed.

The German is often blamed for his role in the clash, which saw him hit into Hill before his car flipped over.

Both were forced to retire from the race which meant Schumacher won the title by just a point, and Benoit believes the title was settled unfairly.

He told Blink: “As a six-time world champion, he definitely belongs in the top five.

“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.”

Hill, 64, won one world title in 1996 but is still disappointed by the way the 1994 championship was decided.

Benoit added: “It has become a blemish really on his incredible career.

“What happened in Adelaide was a bit disappointing, the way it ended. Disappointed in him, let’s say. That’s the way he went about things.

“You look at someone like Roger Federer, who’s had an outstanding career, and there’s not a blemish on it.

“A total sportsman the whole way through.

“Why would you not want that for your legacy?

“And some people just can’t help themselves. They’re just very, very ruthless in competition. And that’s how Michael went about things.

“It’s one I think he knew was perhaps regrettable.”