Michael Schumacher auction rakes in millions

Michael Schumacher became a legend by winning seven World Championships in Formula 1. He remains an important figure in the sporting world and this was shown again when memorabilia from his career sold for over two million at a recent auction

Born in Hürth on 3 January 1969, the racing driver had a long career. He competed in 307 Formula 1 Grands Prix between 1991 and 2006 and from 2010 to 2012.

Schumacher's records are impressive: seven World Drivers' Championship titles, five of which were consecutive, and 77 fastest laps. Although Lewis Hamilton has surpassed some of his records, Schumacher remains unforgotten.

In 1991, Schumacher made his first Formula 1 start for the Jordan-Ford team at the Belgian Grand Prix. Not long after, he joined Benetton, where he stayed until 1995.

A major change came in 1996 when he joined Ferrari, where he would race until 2006, securing five consecutive World Championship titles from 2000 to 2004. After that, he took a break from racing.

After that career break, Schumacher found his way back to Formula 1 in 2010, this time racing for the Mercedes team. During his three-year return, he earned another podium finish.

In December 2013, tragedy struck: Schumacher suffered a skiing accident in which he suffered a head injury. It was an event that would change his life fundamentally. Since then, he has been receiving medical treatment, but little is known about his current condition.

But one thing is clear: his fans still love him. This was evident at an auction at Sotheby's auction house in California, where 159 Schumacher items were auctioned off for a total of over 2 million euros.

The auction took place under the name 'Full Throttle - the Schumacher Collection' and included everything from helmets and racing suits to signed T-shirts, caps and even champagne bottles.

The most expensive item in the auction was a helmet that he wore during the 2003 Hockenheim race and personally signed. This special helmet, in which he was crowned World Champion, sold for 112,000 euros alone.