ON THIS DAY: HAMILTON RACES SCHUMACHER FOR THE FIRST TIME IN KERPEN KART FINALE

Twenty-five years ago today, a reigning four-time world champion showed up at a karting race in Kerpen, Germany, and squared off against a teenager who would one day match his record. Michael Schumacher, fresh off his fourth F1 title, dropped into the CIK-FIA Formula Super A finale at his home track. Also on the grid: Lewis Hamilton, then still climbing the karting ladder, marking the first time the two seven-time champions ever shared a circuit.

Nico Rosberg was there too—three future F1 champions in one kart race. Vitantonio Liuzzi won the title that day, but history remembers the names who didn't.

The moment underscores that Hamilton's path to matching Schumacher's seven crowns began long before Mercedes, long before McLaren, in karting weekends where the sport's royalty was still being sorted. The kid kept pace. Twenty-five years later, he's still chasing the next record.