‘Scary as hell’ – FIA were forced to intervene in Lewis Hamilton’s battle with Michael Schumacher at Italian Grand Prix

Monza has seen it all, even a rare battle between the two most successful Formula 1 drivers of all time.

One of motorsport’s most legendary circuits, the Temple of Speed has welcomed all of the sport’s greats since it began in 1950, and fittingly paid host to one remarkable battle in 2011.

Michael Schumacher’s retirement as a seven-time champion in 2006 saw him just miss out on taking on the only man to match him on that tally – Lewis Hamilton, who arrived on the seven the year after.

With it already clear Hamilton was an elite talent, many were sad to miss out on witnessing him tackle Schumacher, but he did eventually get his chance when the German announced a shock return in 2010.

Sadly for the purists, Hamilton’s McLaren and Schumacher’s Mercedes didn’t often share the same tarmac, but thanks to the uniqueness of Monza’s fast straights and slow corners, the Italian fans got a treat in 2011.

With Hamilton qualifying in second and Schumacher down in eighth, a battle looked unlikely, but a first corner pile up prompted by Vitantonio Liuzzi put them next to each other in third and fourth.

Schumacher jumped Hamilton on the restart, setting up an almighty tussle that ran from the fourth to 26th lap.

The Mercedes was supreme on the straights but the McLaren caught up in the corners, an advantage that’s far from ideal when Schumacher is arguably the most aggressive defensive driver F1 has ever seen.

Schumacher takes things too far

That point was proved on lap 21 when Schumacher weaved under braking prompting a radio complaint from Hamilton who said: “I thought you were only allowed one move.”

That was more or less true, with FIA rules at the time saying you could make one defensive move, but also return back to the racing line after.

Either way, Schumacher had taken that law to its limit, and legendary team principal Ross Brawn let him know over the radio, saying: “Just a reminder, Michael, please make sure you leave room for the car when you move and change direction.”

Brawn later revealed that the race stewards themselves had sent down that command, adding: “The FIA were watching it and asking us to be careful.

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“It is a balance between racing and not overstepping the mark. They asked us to be careful, which we were. It was great racing – and great for F1.

“Michael had a fantastic race, we knew we didn’t have the fastest car but we saw everything Michael Schumacher was capable of doing.”

Schumacher finally gave up the fight on lap 26 and Hamilton passed before trying and failing to challenge Fernando Alonso for third place.

The aftermath of Hamilton v Schumacher

Sebastian Vettel won the Grand Prix to increase the gap to title rival Alonso, but the battle for fourth dominated the post-race conversation, and McLaren CEO Martin Whitmarsh didn’t hold back.

“I am not the least impartial but the fact is, I think he was warned twice by the stewards during the event so they presumably saw it was a bit tough,” he said. 

“I think the one where he had Lewis on the grass was scary as hell.”

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Schumacher, often the coolest man in the media pen, had no concerns at all, quickly adding: “As far as I understand, there was no request for me to see the stewards, so everything is in order.” 

And as for Hamilton, he would take the side of his competitor, even after being forced onto the rough stuff.

“That’s racing,” he said when asked if Schumacher was too aggressive.

“I was watching Michael in my mirrors and I missed an opportunity to slipstream Sebastian Vettel.

“But once I got past I had fun chasing Alonso.”

Hamilton had reason to be happy, beating the icon in their one real wheel-to-wheel battle.

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However, in the long run it’s still 7-7 on world titles, and Hamilton will have to get a move on if he’s going add to his tally in a Ferrari.