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F1 star signed contract that said he had to move to let Michael Schumacher win race

Michael Schumacher is renowned as one of F1's most ruthless drivers and that was proven when his Ferrari's teammate's contract stated that he had to move aside for the German

[Michael Schumacher is one of the most ruthless drivers in F1 history ]

Michael Schumacher is one of the most ruthless drivers in F1 history (Image: Bongarts/Getty Images)

Michael Schumacher's former F1 teammate once had to sign a contract that stipulated he must move aside to let the German icon win races.

Seven-time world champion Schumacher is considered not only one of the greatest but also one of the most ruthless drivers in F1 history.

The 54-year-old won five of his seven world crowns with Ferrari in an incredible period of dominance - and certainly had no interest in sharing his success.

Eddie Jordan - who gave Schumacher his first shot in F1 with his Jordan Grand Prix team back in 1991 - has detailed the extreme lengths the Scuderia would go to to prioritise the legendary driver's pursuit of glory.

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Jordan recalls how Schumacher's Northern Irish teammate Eddie Irvine was told to let the lead driver through to claim race victories, with the details part of his contract.

"Michael Schumacher is like every top-quality driver," Jordan told OLBG. "You can't be at that level and have a winning culture if you're not aggressive and tough, Schumacher had both of those traits.

[Schumacher's success was the number one priority at Ferrari]

Schumacher's success was the number one priority at Ferrari(Image: AFP)

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Jordan added: "I was involved when Eddie Irvine went to Ferrari and when the contract said 'Irvine had to move aside to let Schumacher win the race', I don't know any other driver who operated like that.

"Ferrari tolerated it and they won a load of Championships so who are they to complain? You did not see that with Alain Prost, Niki Lauda, Ayrton Senna or Lewis Hamilton. But that's where people will say Schumacher was a little bit too cunning when it came to racing."

[Irvine was largely in Schumacher's shadow at Ferrari]

Irvine was largely in Schumacher's shadow at Ferrari(Image: Mirrorpix)

Schumacher won the first of his five world titles with Ferrari in 2000, the season after Irvine departed following his three-year stint at Maranello.

Irvine was largely in Schumacher's shadow during his first two seasons at Ferrari, but assumed the lead driver role in 1999 after the German superstar broke his leg at the British Grand Prix, ruling him out for much of the season.

Irvine was ultimately beaten to the world title by just two points by McLaren's Mika Hakkinen, but he was credited for helping the iconic Italian team win their first Constructors Championship in 16 years.

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