“A demonstration of brilliance”

The 1996 Spanish Formula One Grand Prix was held at the Circuit de Catalunya in Montmeló, near Barcelona. This race, Michael Schumacher’s first Ferrari victory, is generally regarded as one of his finest. In torrential rain, he produced a stunning drive.

At the end of the 65-laps race, Schumacher in his Ferrari, by far not the best car of the field, crossed the finishing line with an advantage of 45 seconds on Jean Alesi (Benetton-Renault) and 48 seconds on Jacques Villeneuve’s Williams-Renault. All the others were a lap down, or more.

Stirling Moss, a winner of 212 of the 529 races he entered, one of the greatest champions the sport has seen, declared: “That wasn’t a race. That was a demonstration of brilliance. The man is in a class of his own. There’s never been a driver so clear of the field in ability. It was one of the most fantastic demonstrations of skill I’ve ever seen.”

Picture below: Michael is joined by Team Principal Jean Todt on the podium of the 1996 Spanish Grand Prix at Barcelona, his first victory for the Scuderia.