Schumi

A word about the work

GRAN005

It was 1997 and Michael Schumacher was at the height of his success. He was already double World Champion with Benetton and had joined Ferrari two years previously with whom he would be World Champion five more times.
The photo shoot took place in Switzerland near the champion’s home.

I’d met him a while before on a circuit and we’d made an informal appointment. He’s an intelligent man, as great champions often are. I’ve rarely been disappointed.
I wanted to photograph him in the rain because his driving is even more remarkable in wet conditions. We were near his home and I’d asked the local firemen if they’d help out. They were over the moon to meet the champion and came in their fire truck to produce the fake rain I needed for the shot. It was a cold morning, a few hours before he had to leave for Barcelona where he was taking part in the Spanish grand prix. The photo shoot went amazingly well. He gave me all the time I needed and I was sure I had my shot.
Once I was back in Paris I heard on the radio that during qualifying Michael Schumacher hadn’t driven his best as he was suffering from a cold…

Jean-Denis’s choice

I’m always impressed by the places Gérard Rancinan takes his subjects for portrait shoots. When he photographs champions, who can be complicated characters and have been photographed thousands of times, he manages to suprise them and us by taking them out of their comfort and communication zones.
A strong image of a legend.