Former Mercedes race engineer Jock Clear recently provided insight into Michael Schumacher’s influence during their time together at Mercedes in 2011 and 2012. Clear, who now coaches Charles Leclerc at Ferrari but has recently transitioned to a less demanding role, spoke about the seven-time world champion’s impact.
Clear admitted he initially harbored doubts about Schumacher due to his past on-track incidents, specifically referencing the 1994 Adelaide crash with Damon Hill and the 1997 collision with Jacques Villeneuve.
However, working closely with Schumacher at Mercedes fundamentally shifted Clear’s perspective. He described the experience as an ‘absolute pleasure’ and gained deep professional respect for the German driver.
Clear highlighted that Schumacher’s true strength extended beyond his driving speed. He possessed a remarkable ability to engage and motivate every individual within the team.
‘He knew how to motivate people behind the scenes. He understood that being a driver wasn’t just a two- or three-day-a-week task. Every day was an opportunity to motivate the people around you, keep everyone driving forward, and lead the team.’
Schumacher was described as a ‘gentleman’ outside the car, demonstrating an engaging character that fostered strong team support. Clear noted that everyone wanted to be on Schumacher’s car and desired his success.
The former engineer also emphasized Schumacher’s thoughtful nature. He rarely acted without first considering the implications of his decisions and words.
Schumacher understood the significant responsibility that accompanied his role as a driver. He recognized that a careless remark could potentially misdirect hundreds of team personnel.
Clear observed that Schumacher was empathetic, caring about his colleagues and acknowledging their lives beyond Formula 1. This natural ability to connect with people was a key factor in gaining their support.
Despite his engaging character, Clear also acknowledged Schumacher’s ‘edgy side’ and moments when he could be a challenging personality on track.
During his second stint in Formula 1 with Mercedes, Schumacher secured one podium finish at the 2012 European Grand Prix. Clear confirmed that Schumacher retained his ‘engineering sparkle’ throughout this period.
Schumacher’s knack for effective communication with mechanics was crucial, ensuring that development efforts remained focused and productive.
