Michael Schumacher – Ferrari, the first time in front of the tifosi: Imola 1996. Michael Schumacher's first pole position with Ferrari, achieved at Imola in 1996.

As the Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix returns on the Formula 1 calendar, today we will recall Michael Schumacher’s first pole position with Ferrari, achieved at the Imola circuit in 1996.

The first time is never forgotten
Background: the German arrived at Maranello as the reigning double Formula 1 world champion, with the mission to take the prancing horse back to the top of the world. However, the start of the season is disappointing: Williams is clearly superior to Ferrari, and the fans brace themselves for another year of famine.

A year in which, however, they would still find some satisfaction. An example? The San Marino GP (the fifth event of the year), where Schumi secures his first pole position for Scuderia Ferrari.

From hope to illusion
The crowd is ecstatic, their hero gives them hope: the next day, they could even aim for the first victory, which could turn the tide of the World Championship. It’s a hope that, unfortunately, vanishes in a blink of an eye: at the extinguishing of the lights, which marks the start of the race, the Kaiser is overtaken by Damon Hill and David Coulthard.

What was just a day before – precisely – a hope, had just turned into an illusion. Micahel Schumacher does his utmost to achieve his first victory in red, but fails: Damon Hill’s Williams is too superior and dominates the race.

In short, Michael Schumacher misses the first chance to make the Ferrari fans dream of the World Championship, but he would greatly redeem himself in the years to come. However, that’s another story (in Formula 1).

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