(Photo by Mark Thompson/Getty Images)
In The Edge of Greatness, James Allen addresses many aspects of his career painting a clearer picture of Michael through the years, and Michael at this very moment.
Michael has never been a flashy individual with in the spotlight of the media, and often he has been seen as a quiet and private individual, and James Allen allows the reader to gain an insightful look at the life and personality of Schumacher.
The book deals with the bright and dark moments of Michael’s career. Like in David’s book that addressed the greatest conflict of his career between him and McLaren, James Allen does not shy away from the subject of the 1997 crash between Michael Schumacher and Jacques Villeneuve.
The dramatic incident changed F1, and while the media has always made Michael out to be the criminal in the incident, few have bothered to look at the whole picture.
The fans of F1 can relate to followers of the high profile television show Friends; Ross Gellar’s constant repetition of “WE were on a break,” when someone questions why he cheated on Rachael Green is tiring and frustrating. The repetitive mention on the subject of 1997 Jerez almost mirrors Ross Gellar’s annoying excuse.
1997 Jerez incident is a dark part of the career, and James Allen makes no excuse on behalf of Michael Schumacher, but in addressing the subject from a new point of view allows for an insightful look into why what happened really happened, and what was overlooked by those that quickly crucified Michael and Ferrari.
James Allen has worked in Formula One since 1990. His father Bill raced for Lotus at Le Mans in the early 1960s and was in the sport's administration, on the RAC motor sports council. Allen started his F1 career with the Brabham team in 1990 and in 1991 worked with future TV colleagues Mark Blundell and Martin Brundle.
He was news editor at Autosport magazine from 1992 to 1994 and in parallel worked as F1 pit lane reporter for American network ESPN from 1993 to 1996. With Nigel Mansell's move to Indy Car in 1993, Allen was hired by ITV in 1994 to help present coverage of the season.
When ITV gained the rights to broadcast the Formula One championship in 1997, he joined the team as pit lane reporter.
James Allen has written a very enjoyable book that is an interesting and insightful read.
Should any fan gain an insight on his life, this is highly recommended book, especially as it is written by a sport insider, and a member of the most ruthless wing of the F1 media, one that is willing to crucify a British driver once and vindicate him the next race.
- Chequered Conflict
- Author: Maurice Hamilton
- Published in: 2008
The conflict between team mates Hamilton and Alonso is still quite fresh in the minds of many F1 people. In the eyes of the majority of people Alonso was to blame not only for the presence of the conflict, but also for the loss of both championships.
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