Williams team principal James Vowles has credited Michael Schumacher for Mercedes’s progression.
Vowles, who was a former strategy director for Mercedes, has opened up on his experience working with Schumacher.
In 2010, Michael Schumacher made a spectacular return to the sport joining Mercedes alongside Nico Rosberg.
Unfortunately in success terms, Schumacher wasn’t able to hit the heights of old, achieving one podium in three years with the team.
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Nonetheless, Vowles has credited Schumacher for his influence on the team, a factor that set them up in good stead to conquer the sport after his departure.
“Michael was this incredible individual,” he said.
“He had this aura and presence with him as well. Completely different to what you see externally.
“He knew everyone’s birthdays. He sent flowers to people’s partners. He looked after individuals in a great way.
“He knew his performance was not quite at the same level but he made up for it with the amount of dedication and work. From that, Nico learned a lot. And Lewis learned a lot from Nico.”
After Schumacher’s second retirement from the sport, the Briton Lewis Hamilton replaced him and achieved equal greatness.
Lewis won his first title with Mercedes in 2014 and embarked upon a reign of dominance, winning five more times.
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The F1 legend Michael Schumacher laid the foundations for this winning formula, according to Vowles.
“He was the person who helped the team move forward,
“He brought the team really close together,” Vowles claimed when speaking with the Sky Sports F1 podcast.