Jean Todt, one of the great personalities in the history of motorsport, explained on High Performance Podcast what happened in that rivalry between the German and the Asturian

Formula 1 is experiencing the long break due to the cancellation, for the moment, of the Bahrain and Saudi Arabian Grands Prix, and some take advantage of it to resort to history and admit facts that in the past were denied no matter how obvious they seemed. It has happened to Jean Todt, the historic leader of Peugeot Sport (with victories in the Dakar and Le Mans), Ferrari and president of the FIA. He was the last to be champion with the Maranello team and reached his greatest moments of splendor alongside his friend Michael Schumacher. From 2000 to 2004 they monopolized the titles until a young man named Fernando Alonso broke their tyranny.

Between Schumacher and Alonso there was rivalry. The Asturian was the incipient young man who unhinged the German legend and already in 2005 left his mark in the defense of Imola or the overtaking of Suzuka in the 130R. They became real rivals for the crown in 2006, and there arose the bad arts of a Kaiser who is one of those who knew when to take the vein of acting to the limit of the regulations.

Its high point was in Monaco. The Ferrari driver ended up being penalized for stopping at the Rascasse and trying to prevent Alonso from doing the final qualifying lap. He was sanctioned and two decades later that action comes to the fore. Yes, they were traps." Michael was an excellent boy, but he paid dearly every time he lost control. It also cost him the championship, like when he purposely stopped in Monte Carlo with Alonso," Todt acknowledged on High Performance Podcast. He was penalized to start at the back of the grid and Alonso won on the most famous streets of F1.

Few know Schumacher as well as his former team boss. "I didn't know how to cheat. He made them twice that I knew, but he did them wrong. It would be very easy to do them many times, but he was wrong if he tried," said the Frenchman. Todt places that gesture as key in the World Championship, although he then had it in his hand until Suzuka's breakage that ended up opening the way for Alonso and also meant his first retirement from racing.

The Spaniard was able to break Schumacher's dominance and his career has spanned many more years than anyone could imagine. But that rivalry with the German was something differential and will always accompany him. "Michael was very cold, he always tried to intimidate you," the Asturian recently commented. The stories are of all kinds and are about cheating, races and two champions fighting tooth and nail. (MARCA, 2026-04-13)