Ralf Schumacher

Lore & Background

Born and raised in North Rhine-Westphalia, Schumacher is the younger brother of seven-time Formula One World Champion Michael Schumacher, and the pair are among the few sibling duos to each win a Formula One Grand Prix, alongside the Rodriguez brothers (Pedro and Ricardo). Schumacher began karting at the age of three and achieved early success before making the transition to automobile racing in the German Formula Three Championship and the Formula Nippon series. He first drove in Formula One with Jordan Grand Prix for the 1997 season. Schumacher moved to the Williams team in 1999, finishing sixth in the Drivers' Championship that year. He won his first Grand Prix in 2001, en-route to fourth place in the Drivers' Championship, and subsequently won five more races over the course of two years. Schumacher left Williams at the end of 2004 and joined Toyota Racing in 2005. His performance throughout 2006 and 2007 resulted in Schumacher leaving Formula One as a result of internal pressure. After leaving Formula One, Schumacher joined the Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters (DTM) in 2008, achieving minor success, and retired from motorsport at the end of 2012 to enter a managerial role within DTM, mentoring young drivers. He is now a co-commentator for Sky Sport in Germany.

Did You Know?

• Schumacher won the Formula Nippon Series in 1996 on his first attempt, becoming the first rookie to clinch the championship.
• Schumacher's first Formula One podium was third place at the 1997 Argentine Grand Prix.