Michael Schumacher won his first Formula One World Drivers’ Championship in 1994.
Driving for Benetton, Schumacher won eight of the season’s 16 races and finished ahead of Williams driver Damon Hill in the final standings. His title was decided at the season-ending Australian Grand Prix in Adelaide, where a collision between Schumacher and Hill ended both drivers’ races. Schumacher therefore retained a one-point championship advantage.
The 1994 season was one of Formula One’s most turbulent years. Ayrton Senna and Roland Ratzenberger died during the San Marino Grand Prix weekend, while Schumacher’s Benetton team faced scrutiny over alleged technical-rule violations. Despite the controversy, the championship result stood, giving Schumacher the first of his eventual seven titles.
A common mix-up is confusing Schumacher’s first championship with his later Ferrari successes. He won his next title in 1995 with Benetton, then captured five consecutive championships for Ferrari from 2000 through 2004.