Schumacher wins prestigious award for racing achievements

Seven-times world Formula One champion Michael Schumacher was awarded Spain’s prestigious Prince of Asturias award for sports today for his dazzling career in racing.

The 38-year-old German, who finished his career with Ferrari. Was chosen out of 18 candidates from 10 countries, including Russian pole vault world champion Yelena Isinbayeva and tennis aces Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer.

“His career reflects the biggest successes in all categories,” the prize committee said in a statement.

Schumacher debuted at the Belgian grand prix in 1991 and won 91 races in his career.

The jury also noted his humanitarian work for non-governmental organisations and his donations, such as for the tsunami in Asia in December 2004.

After starting his career with the Jordan team, he joined Benetton and won world titles in 1994 and 1995 before moving to Ferrari. He won his last five world championships driving for Ferrari, for which he also helped win six constructors’ titles from 1999-2004. The last of the F-1 titles set a record and came in the 2003-2004 season.

Last year’s Prince of Asturias Award went to the Spanish national basketball team, which had won the world championship. Other previous winners include Spanish F1 champion Fernando Alonso, American sprinter Carl Lewis and German tennis player Steffi Graf.

The award, given by The Prince of Asturias Foundation – named for Crown Prince Felipe – honours athletes who display excellence in both their sports careers and personal lives.

The sporting award is one of eight handed out by the foundation in areas such as science, art, literature and international relief work. The one given to Schumacher is the last of the yearly series.

Each winner will receive €50,000 and a Joan Miro sculpture in a ceremony in late October in the northern city of Oviedo, capital of the Asturias region.