MAY 3, 2010

Schumacher joins Legion d'Honneur

Late last week, French Prime Minister Francois Fillon presented a knighthood in the Legion of Honour to Mercedes GP driver Michael Schumacher for his career achievements in Formula One.

Late last week, French Prime Minister Francois Fillon presented a knighthood in the Legion of Honour to Mercedes GP driver Michael Schumacher for his career achievements in Formula One, in a ceremony attended by his wife Corinna, FIA President Jean Todt, and Mercedes GP team principal Ross Brawn.

Prime Minister Fillon said, "In order to find a comparable achievement, we would need to go back to the very earliest days of Formula One. We were convinced at the time that Juan Manuel Fangio's record of five championship titles would never be matched again. But you have surpassed even the most illustrious of your predecessors."

Schumacher later said, "I feel very honoured and proud to have received this award. The ceremony was very solemn and moving. Afterwards we had the opportunity to meet up with some close friends in Paris."

The Legion d'Honneur was first established by Napoleon Bonaparte in 1802, and is the highest decoration in France given to reward military and civilian service for outstanding talent and great virtue.