RALPH SCUMACHER

BIOGRAFIA

DOB: 30th June 1975
Nationality: German
Active: 1997 - Present

Younger brother of double world champion Michael Schumacher. Ralf has been working hard to build a reputation in his own right. In 1991 he took home the NRW Cup, the Gold Cup and the Junior Karting Championship crown, and the following year he went on to finish 2nd in the German National Series.

By 1995 Schumacher had progressed up the motorsports ladder and was competing in Formula 3, winning the prestigious F3 World Final in Macau and was runner-up at the Monaco F3 Grand Prix. These results brought the offer of a test with the Le Mans F3000 Team in Suzuka. Schumacher was offered the drive for 1996 and took up the challenge, moving to the Far East to take part in the All Nippon F3000 Championship. Ralf emerged triumphant claiming the Championship crown at the very last race of the season.

Now something of hot property in the driver market, Schumacher tested for McLaren before signing to drive with Jordan in 1997. However, his first season was a disappointment. It began well enough with a podium at the Argentinean Grand Prix - but even this was not without controversy in a season when the young German seemed to attract more than his fair share. Schumacher's self belief got the better of him in the race, taking of team-mate Giancarlo Fisichella to secure his own podium result - a move that did little to impress the team despite his fine result. Ralf Schumacher had proved that he had the speed, although Jordan's reliability and a number of "offs" have not helped his cause in his debut year.

Again with Jordan in 1998, Schumacher lined up with Damon Hill as his team-mate. The two drivers could not be more different in terms of attitude and lifestyle, but despite this they seemed to get on well and managed to develop what was an awful chassis into a competitive proposition. After a poor start to the 1998 season, when Jordan and Schumacher had more than a few disagreements, Schumacher  proved that he has settled as a driver with fewer silly mistakes and some very good race performances. The highlight of the season was undoubtedly his second position behind Hill at Spa Francorchamps. On the podium Schumacher looked less than happy - well aware that team orders had prevented him challenging Hill for the win.

Ralf Schumacher joined the Williams Mecachrome team for 1999. If nothing else Frank Williams will always get on well with a driver who gives his all and no-one at the grove based factory has any complaint in that respect in regards to Ralf. The season started well with a well earned third position in Australia. More points paying positions followed with none of those tell-tale mistakes that characterised the early part of Schumacher's career. Schumacher joined the team expecting a fraught battle with Alessandro Zanardi for top honours, but to date the German has completely over-shadowed the reining CART champion. Wins may be out of the question thanks to the under-powered Mecachrome V10 engine, but with works BMW power coming on tap for the 2000 season, Ralf could be a challenger for the world title.