On warm August Tuesday of 1991 the Jordan team-manager Trevor Foster was anxious. There was a thin young 22 years old man before him which should have a debut in Formula One in the next race. But that's wasn't a reason of Foster's disturbing. This reason was money. More correctly the reason was that money were failing for a five days before the Belgian Grand Prix.

"We didn't have any big material resources at that time" - he tells today - "and there was only restricted quantity of engines. If the engine has failed before a race this meant that we already have expended one superfluous. We had not enough money to purchase a new engine".

Schumacher, this was him who stood before Trevor, should have a debut in Spa, and Foster new that he easily can, as well as any other beginner, brake the engine. "Michael has come on a day before tests. We have customized a seat for him, and I have explained him that he can drive on a southern part of Silverstone for a 25 - 30 laps to get accustomed a little. He never sat in the Formula 1 car before. He just drove Formula 3000 - most similar car that he have. He drove in two races in Japan and completely beat Johnny Herbert. He impress me very much with it. It was clear that he's not a kind of camel" - this way Foster describes his impressions about Michael.

"He got into a car and I have made a little lection on car controls for him. He was very quiet and counterbalanced. I've said him: " It is your basic car - not spare. Today when we will finish with your running-in, we'll send it to the Spa". All that he said was: "Yes. No problem".

22-years old Dutch was an absolute rookie. He never sat in a Formula 1 bolid before and now, besides that he should race on it, he was expected that he won't damage it. The mechanical gearbox could be sent right on a dump already after only one careless movement and it is very easy to select second gear instead of fourth in turmoil and overwind an engine. 

Michael Schumacher's debut in Spa'91

"After a formation lap he has come on short conference to the boxes and I have said to him: "Оk, you can drive for 4 - 5 laps and remember that you will need this car and this engine on Friday qualifying. Don't hurry and be carefull. You won't have a new engine if you'll damage this one. We have only two motors for you - this one for qualifying and one more for a race." After three laps, the brake shoes were already heated up to red at the curves. He has set an improbable speed. He never drove with the carbon fiber-reinforced plastic brakes and didn't even make an attempts to get accustomed with them.", - recalls Foster.

This was the beginning of the Schumachers era. Of course Trevor Foster didn't knew that at that time: "I remember I've come to Michael's manager Willy Weber to say him that we should slow down this guy a little. I have no wish to make any excuses to Edie Jordan if Michael will damage the engine unintentionally. It would bring us a big troubles, a troubles for a hundred thousand of dollars. Willy said: "No problems". He talked to Michael but he couldn't understand the causes of our disturbing. "It's all under my control" - he said. He has drove some laps more and has managed to his car just like with a toy. He pulled up very late and turn the car seems with no effort. Exactly with no efforts. And he hasn't overwound an engine".

Next day Schumacher has come to Spa where he never drove before. His teammate Andrea De Cesaris knew this track very well. "I've said to Michael that I shall ask Andrea to drive the cicruite with him to show the most dangerous places and what he should pay an attention", - prolongs Foster. "De Cesaris had agreed - he contnued his negotiations with Eddie Jordan on a prolongation of his contract. Foster has said Michael to wait a little. Schumacher answered: "No problems, I have a bicycle and I can ride the circuit on it". Foster thought that Dutch haven't understand him: " I've said once again that Andrea will find a time for him anyway. But he has said: "No problems. I shall ride on a bicycle. I'll see much more in this way". This has ravish me! He didn't ask where he can lend a bicycle or a car, he has thought it over and has taken his own bicycle to not be depend on anyone. Next day he has hit the track for the first time and has shown an improbable speed. After several laps I've asked him whether he not too quick. He answered: "No no, I drive on a limit but I'm not behind it". He has said it in the same tone in which one I speak to you no - quiet voice, without passion, without emotions".

part 2