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Interview with Michael Schumacher Takes the Cake

March 1, 2004

Racing star Michael Schumacher confused his interviewer on French TV by speaking English and ignoring the French/German interpreter provided. When the interviewer switched to German, the chaos was complete.

https://p.dw.com/p/4jAa
Michael Schumacher does better on the winner's podium than in the TV studio.Image: AP

Six-time Formula One world champion Michael Schumacher's demonstration of his linguistic abilities has left France somewhat confused.

In a live TV show on the channel France 2, he was introduced as a "German phenomenon." Linguistic confusion then set in as Schumacher bypassed the interpreter specially brought in to translate from French into German for him, opting instead to use his schoolbook English.

To add to the chaos, another guest, ageing French rock star Johnny Halliday, then chose to boast in English that he had driven his Ferrari much faster than the world Number One. But what totally flummoxed Schumacher was when the host praised him (in German this time!) for not being a "Torte," the word for a German cream cake. The presenter must have literally translated a French expression using the word "tarte" and meaning " you're no fool."