1969: Born on January 3 in Huerth-Hermuelheim, Germany.
1973: Made his racing debut in a kart race.
1987: Won German and European kart championships.
1988: Finished fourth in German Formula Ford championship and second in the European series in first year of car racing.
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1990: Won first major single-seater title, clinching the German Formula Three crown. Stepped up to sportscars, driving for Mercedes.
1991: Made Formula One debut for Jordan in Belgium, qualifying seventh before retiring. Poached by Benetton for the rest of the season.
1992: Takes first grand prix win in Belgium on his way to third in championship.
1994: Wins title, with eight wins to his name, after controversial last-race clash with Damon Hill.
1995: Retains world crown, taking nine victories.
1996: Moves to struggling Ferrari and manages three wins on his way to third in championship.
1997: Wins five races but is stripped of second in the championship for attempting to take out title rival Jacques Villeneuve, the then Williams driver, at Jerez.
1999: Breaks his leg at Silverstone when easily leading the championship.
2000: Finally wins Ferrari’s first world title since 1979, amassing nine wins on the way.
2001: Another nine wins and another title, setting a new record for all-time victories on the way.
2002: Wins championship in record time, setting a new mark of 11 victories.
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2003: Wins title by a point after six victories, breaking Juan Manuel Fangio’s record of five championships.
2004: Breaks his own record for wins in a season to take title number seven.
2006: September 10 - Announces his retirement at end of 2006 season after winning Italian Grand Prix.