Status: 07/20/2022 2:45 p.m
Great honor for Michael Schumacher: The Formula 1 record world champion was honored with the state prize of the state of North Rhine-Westphalia on Wednesday (07/20/2022).
Representing the 53-year-old, Schumacher’s daughter Gina (25) and his wife Corinna (53) accepted the certificate from the hands of NRW Prime Minister Hendrik Wüst (CDU). At the event at Motorworld in Cologne Schumacher’s son Mick, who will start in Formula 1 in France at the weekend, was missing.
NRW Prime Minister Wüst: “People with a big heart”
“Today we are paying tribute above all to Michael Schumacher beyond racing and the bright spotlight: a person who has a big heart and for whom it has always been important to think of others,” said Wüst.
He added: “Michael Schumacher also keeps an eye on those who are not doing well. He helped them with extremely generous donations, mostly quietly. His family continues the charitable commitment.”
Schumacher’s wife Corinna and daughter Gina accepted the award on their behalf.
Image: dpa
Jean Todt holds eulogy for Michael Schumacher
The eulogy for Schumacher was given by former Ferrari team boss and FIA President Jean Todt, longtime companion and friend of the seven-time world champion. Among the guests was Michael Schumacher’s father Rolf as well as numerous celebrities from politics, the media and Sports.
Schumacher himself disappeared from public view after a serious skiing accident at the end of 2013 and is still recovering from the consequences.
“An entire country saw Ferrari red”: Wüst was also a fan
“Of course we would wish that he could have received his award in person. We miss him a lot,” said Todt. “Michael Schumacher shaped motorsport like no other before and after him.”
“And he kindled the enthusiasm of the Germans for this sport: Kerpen, Monza, Spa – these terms still resonate to this day. A whole country saw Ferrari red,” said Wüst: “Michael Schumacher fascinated millions of people – because he was passionate stands for team spirit, for top performance in the interaction of people and technology. And because he was convincing as a person, as a personality – because you can identify with him.”
State Prize, the highest award of the state of North Rhine-Westphalia
The State Prize is the highest award of the state of North Rhine-Westphalia. Schumacher will be honored for “his outstanding international sporting achievements” and in “recognition of his exemplary social commitment and for his services to his home state of North Rhine-Westphalia”, according to the State Chancellery of North Rhine-Westphalia.
In the past two years there has been no award due to the corona pandemic, the last prize winner so far was former Federal Environment Minister Klaus Töpfer in 2019.
Source: wdr.de