Michael Schumacher would have won more than his all-time record seven Formula One world titles - had he not joined Ferrari.
That is the claim of Eddie Irvine, the former F1 driver who partnered the legendary German at the iconic Italians for three years.
Schumacher is best remembered for winning five successive titles with Ferrari, adding to the two he previously won with Benetton, but it was by no means an easy journey to become arguably the greatest driver of all time.
The 50-year-old had to wait five years for his first title, having joined the famous Italian outfit alongside Irvine in 1996 when Ferrari were finding it tough to compete for glory.
And Irvine reckons Schumacher could have battled for more world championships had he driven for a rival team.
“Schumi was very German, except for drinking, in that he was terrible!” Irvine said at the Il Festival dello Sport. “Michael was very professional and he was one who worked very hard, a great professional.
“I remember that at that time in Ferrari everyone had his role and everyone knew that he had a lot to do. I remember when we arrived at Ferrari we were way behind but Michael had set the goal of winning with Ferrari.
“He was very determined and, I repeat, all the other teams wanted him but he just wanted to win with Ferrari.
“He could have won more going somewhere else but he was a very focused person, and in the end after so many years where he came close he managed to win the World Championship five times with Ferrari thanks to his hard work.
“A great talent but great perseverance and determination, an unbelievable driver.”
Schumacher was left in a coma after suffering a traumatic brain injury during a skiing trip on December 29, 2013.
His health status is reasonably unknown, with updates rare as the Schumacher family look to maintain privacy for the Ferrari icon.
Reports last month claimed that Schumacher, who has not been seen in public for almost six years following his skiing accident, was admitted to a Paris hospital for "secret treatment".
