A living legend in car racing. This is what repeatedly comes to mind when the name Michael Schumacher is brought up. That’s to be expected; with seven world champion titles, 68 pole positions, 91 victories and 154 podiums, the 42-year-old German driver has the most impressive record in the sport. He talks with Audacity about his memories, his projects and his relationship with time…

Michael Schumacher, what were the best moments of your career?
The emotional ones. Among the many memories of my career, the most astounding is probably the moment when I crossed the Suzuka 2000 finish line, winning not only the Japanese GP, but more importantly, the world champion title for Ferrari. It was 21 years after Ferrari had had a driver`s title, and it was also the culmination of 5 years of waiting, trying and fighting for myself. Winning the title was just an explosion of joy.

And the worst moments?
In 1994, that horrible weekend when we lost two drivers. I remember the shock of losing Ayrton Senna and Roland Ratzenberger. For me, the era when people died on the racetrack was behind us, but then I had to experience that I was wrong. It was terrible.

What are your current projects?
I’m currently collaborating with Mercedes to develop a team and a car that will win races, and eventually championships. It’s not easy to develop a car that will win, but that`s what life is about: embracing challenges and trying to work them into something good.

As a racecar driver, you must have a very special relationship with time and precision: what is your opinion about Swiss watchmaking, and particularly a brand such as Audemars Piguet?
Time and precision have always been two key factors for me. They’re sometimes even my enemies, as I am obviously trying to master them both! Striving for perfection is in my character. In my view it corresponds perfectly with Audemars Piguet, who combines tradition and innovation to build and create something extraordinary. I can identify with that commitment perfectly.

Finally, who are your role models, in sports or in other areas?
I have to admit I do not really have role models. What I find intriguing are people who live out their passions. This is possible in any area of life. What really matters is not fame, but passion.

Skill, mental toughness, discipline, commitment and, above all, consistency and versatility: these are the qualities that allowed Lee Westwood to take Tiger Woods’ place at the summit of the world’s golf hierarchy last October, becoming the 5^th European player to attain the number one ranking. For Audacity, the British golfer agreed to comment on his career, his projects and his passions.

You have spent many years on the international tour. What are some of your best memories?
There are too many to mention! But you never forget your first win, and the Ryder Cup memories are indelibly etched in my mind. But hopefully my best memories are still to come.

And the worst?
I am a very positive person. I never look back and think what might have been. Hopefully I have learned from all the negatives I have experienced.

What are your objectives for the coming year?
Ever since I lost my number one ranking, I’ve wanted to win it back. That’s my goal, and winning tournaments will allow me to reach it. Next year, I’d really like to move into the Grand Slam club. And, as always, my main objective is the majors.

What do you think about the Swiss watchmaking industry and Audemars Piguet?
I don’t think there is anywhere else in the world that makes watches as well as Switzerland. Audemars Piguet’s watches have a fantastic look, and I love wearing one on my wrist.

You’re known for your love of champagne. Where did this passion come from?
I’m not a collector, but more a drinker – in moderation, of course! If I ever have anything to celebrate, then a glass of bubbly is definitely the best way to start …

You’re also a big football fan. Why did you end up choosing to play golf?
I would have really liked to play left wing for Nottingham Forest. That was not to be. As soon as I realized that I could have a future as a golfer, all my attention was turned to that.

Twenty-two year old Rory McIlroy has already been part of the golf world’s top tier for two years. He was the youngest golfer in history to obtain professional status on the European tour, and on June 19, he won the 111^th edition of the US Open. In his peers’ opinion, this title will likely be just the first in a long string of victories.

In view of your precocious results and your youth, you’re often compared with Tiger Woods. How are you different as players?
The main difference is in our records: Tiger has won 14 majors and I’ve only won one… but I aim to improve these statistics! We have much more in common, and the main thing is that we both want to win just as much as we possibly can. The quest for success is what drives us.

What are your objectives for the coming months?
It’s been a very good year so far, and I aim to make it even better.  As for next year, I have four major goals – the US Masters, US Open, The Open and the US PGA.

What do you think about the Swiss watchmaking industry, and Audemars Piguet in particular?
For me, Switzerland is synonymous with watches and clocks; nobody does it better. As for Audemars Piguet, I was a big fan even before the brand became a sponsor. They’re the embodiment of style, class, and reliability.

Celebrating a partnership established in 2008, Audemars Piguet released a limited series inspired by racing car last October: the Royal Oak Offshore Jarno Trulli. This timekeeper in forged carbon, a material that the Brassus brand was the first to use, also includes titanium and a bezel in cermet, elements that evoke racing car. But outside the world of racing, it was the man and his deep attachment to his roots that won over AP.

The Monza racetrack, in Italy, is particularly meaningful to Jarno. There he enjoys the unswerving support of the tifosi, who welcome him like a prince. His first name, Jarno, comes from Monza; his parents named him in honor of the Finnish driver, Jarno Saarinen, who died on the circuit in 1973 in a terrible crash.

But it’s not just car racing that anchors him to his native country. A wine connoisseur, the athlete owns vineyards that have been producing wine for ten years. When he travels, which also helps him broaden his market, his father is in charge of the Podere Castorani brand. This young wine, based on old farming traditions, is a Motepulciano d’Abruzzo.

Very moved by the earthquake that shook Abruzzo in April 2009, Trulli founded an association, “Abruzzo ne cuore,” or “Abruzzo in the heart.” His initiative has already raised nearly 680,000 euros to help the victims. His dedicated and generous personality captivated the Le Brassus-based brand.

http://abruzzonelcuore.org/

http://www.poderecastorani.it/

It’s not every day that one can meet an artist with a background as varied and impressive as Qunicy Jones’. The musician’s journey has taken him from inner city Chicago to Seattle, Boston, and New York, and on to various European cities, where he played and composed for the principal jazz heavyweigts of the time, including Ray Charles and Dizzy Gillespie.

Imbued with a passion for music, he worked in the 1960s alongside artists with styles as varied as Frank Sinatra, Barbra Streisand and Tony Bennett. Subsequently he found himself increasingly interested – as a musician, composer and producer – in blues, funk and pop, a direction that naturally led him to the doorstep of the young Michael Jackson. They began a three-album collaboration (Off the Wall in 1979, Thriller in 1982 and Bad in 1987), which became a world-wide sensation.

Today, the 78-year-old musician has a special relationship with Switzerland. He is a trusted friend of Claude Nobs, the founder of the famous Montreux Jazz Festival, and has been closely associated with Audemars Piguet for many years. In 2010, the Manufacture paid homage to this extraordinary personality by dedicating a limited edition collection in his name: the Millenary Quincy Jones, a model inspired by the black keys of the piano keyboard, the artist’s favorite instrument.

For although Jones is an excellent trumpet player, it was the piano he discovered first, as a child, and taught himself to play. “I never thought I’d have a watch bearing my name,” he explained during a visit to the Manufacture last year.

Jones’ simple manner and philanthropic side have always impressed the brand, which wanted to bear witness to his friendship by donating a portion of sales of the Millenary Quincy Jones to the Quincy Jones Association. “I try to live according to the words I often hear from Nobel laureates, which are: Love, live, and give,” added Jones, thanking Audemars Piguet along the way for its support of his foundation.

Photo credit: JimYoung/Reuters