Ralf Schumacher facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Ralf Schumacher
Schumacher in 2016
Born	(1975-06-30) 30 June 1975 (age 50) Hürth, North Rhine-Westphalia, West Germany
Spouse(s)	Cora Brinkmann ​ ​ (m. 2001; div. 2015)​
Children	David Schumacher
Relatives	Michael Schumacher (brother) Corinna Schumacher (sister-in-law) Mick Schumacher (nephew) Gina-Maria Bethke [de] (niece)
Formula One World Championship career
Nationality	German
Active years	1997–2007
Teams	Jordan, Williams, Toyota
Entries	182 (180 starts)
Championships	0
Wins	6
Podiums	27
Career points	329
Pole positions	6
Fastest laps	8
First entry	1997 Australian Grand Prix
First win	2001 San Marino Grand Prix
Last win	2003 French Grand Prix
Last entry	2007 Brazilian Grand Prix

Ralf Schumacher (born 30 June 1975) is a German former racing driver. He also works as a broadcaster. Ralf competed in Formula One from 1997 to 2007. He won six Formula One Grands Prix during his 11 seasons.

Ralf grew up in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. He is the younger brother of Michael Schumacher, a seven-time Formula One World Champion. Ralf and Michael are the only brothers to both win a Formula One Grand Prix. Ralf started karting at age three. He had early success before moving to car racing. He raced in the German Formula Three Championship and the Formula Nippon series.

Ralf first drove in Formula One for the Jordan Grand Prix team in 1997. He then moved to the Williams team in 1999. That year, he finished sixth in the Drivers' Championship. He won his first Grand Prix in 2001 and finished fourth overall. He went on to win five more races over the next two years.

Ralf left Williams at the end of 2004. He joined Toyota Racing in 2005. After the 2007 season, Ralf left Formula One. He then joined the Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters (DTM) in 2008. He retired from motorsport at the end of 2012. Now, he works as a co-commentator for Sky Sport in Germany. He also helps mentor young drivers.

Early Life and Racing Start

Ralf Schumacher was born in Hürth, West Germany, on 30 June 1975. His father, Rolf Schumacher, was a bricklayer. His older brother is Michael Schumacher. Ralf started karting at age three on his parents' track in Kerpen.

He won the NRW Cup and Gold Cup in karting in 1991. In 1992, he won the German Junior Kart Championship. He then became runner-up in the senior series.

At 17, Ralf began car racing. He finished second in the ADAC Junior Formula Championship. This led to him testing a Formula Three car. In 1994, he joined the German Formula Three Championship. He finished third overall. He also raced in the Macau Grand Prix and the Masters of Formula 3.

In 1995, Ralf's performance improved. He won pole position and the race at the Macau Grand Prix. He finished second in the Masters of Formula 3. In the German Formula Three series, he won three races. He finished second in the Championship.

For 1996, Ralf's manager, Willi Weber, helped him get a spot in the Formula Nippon Series. He drove for Team Le Mans. Ralf won the series on his first try. He was the first rookie to win the championship. That same year, he raced in the All Japan Grand Touring Car Championship. He won four races and finished second.

Formula One Career

Ralf Schumacher had a long career in Formula One. He drove for three different teams.

Jordan Team (1997–1998)

In September 1996, Ralf signed a three-year deal with the Jordan team. His sponsor, Bitburger brewery, also brought money to the team. In January 1997, Giancarlo Fisichella became his teammate.

1997 Season

Ralf earned his first podium finish in Argentina. He finished third despite a crash with his teammate. He had several retirements in the next races. But he then finished sixth in France. He also got three consecutive fifth-place finishes. Ralf finished 11th in the Drivers' Championship with 13 points.

1998 Season

Ralf stayed with Jordan in 1998. His teammate was Damon Hill, the 1996 champion. Ralf had a tough start with three retirements. He finally scored his first point for Jordan at the British Grand Prix.

He finished second in Belgium, right behind his teammate Hill. He was told not to overtake Hill, which caused tension. Ralf then took third place in Italy. After this, it was announced he would join Williams for 1999. He finished 10th in the Drivers' Championship with 14 points.

Williams Team (1999–2004)

Ralf joined Williams in 1999. This team would partner with BMW from 2000.

1999 Season

Schumacher driving for Williams in the 1999 Canadian Grand Prix.

Ralf started 1999 well, finishing third in Australia. He then got fourth in Brazil. He had some retirements but continued to score points. He took another podium, finishing third in Britain. Ralf finished the 1999 season sixth in the Drivers' Championship with 35 points.

2000 Season

Ralf continued with Williams in 2000. His new teammate was Jenson Button. Ralf started strong with third place in Australia. He also got fifth in Brazil. He had some retirements due to car issues and crashes.

He finished fifth in France. He also had two third-place finishes in Belgium and Italy. Ralf finished fifth in the Drivers' Championship with 24 points.

2001 Season

Schumacher driving for Williams at the 2001 Canadian Grand Prix, where he took his second career victory.

At the first race in Australia, Ralf retired after a crash. He scored his first points in Malaysia. At the San Marino Grand Prix, Ralf started third and led every lap. He took his first Formula One victory there.

He won his second race in Canada. His older brother Michael finished second. This was the first time brothers finished first and second in a Formula One race. Ralf won his third and final race of the season in Germany. He finished the 2001 season fourth in the Drivers' Championship with 49 points.

2002 Season

Schumacher in 2002.

For 2002, Ralf decided to wear glasses to improve his vision. He got permission from the FIA, Formula One's governing body. His helmet maker even made special padding for his glasses.

His season started with a crash in Australia. But in the next race in Malaysia, Ralf took his only win of the season. He then had two podium finishes in Brazil and San Marino. Ralf finished fourth in the Drivers' Championship for the second year in a row, with 42 points.

2003 Season

Schumacher driving for Williams at the 2003 United States Grand Prix.

In 2003, Ralf continued with Williams. He had a strong first half of the season. He scored points in the first seven races. He got his first podium of the season in Canada, finishing second. Ralf then won two races in a row: the European and French Grands Prix.

He had a high-speed accident during a test. He suffered a concussion and missed a race. Ralf returned for the United States Grand Prix. He finished the season fifth in the Drivers' Championship with 58 points. He also helped Williams finish second in the Constructors' Championship.

2004 Season

Schumacher after a serious accident at the 2004 United States Grand Prix.

Ralf stayed with Williams in 2004. He started well, finishing fourth in Australia. At the Canadian Grand Prix, he started from pole position and finished second. However, he was later disqualified due to issues with his car's brake ducts.

At the United States Grand Prix, Ralf had a serious accident. He suffered a concussion and minor fractures to his spine. He had to miss the next six races. In July, Ralf signed a three-year contract with the Toyota team. He returned for the Chinese Grand Prix. He finished the season ninth in the Drivers' Championship with 24 points.

Toyota Team (2005–2007)

Ralf joined Toyota in 2005. He was hopeful for success with his new team.

2005 Season

Schumacher driving for Toyota in the 2005 Canadian Grand Prix.

Ralf scored points in his first two races for Toyota. He had a tyre failure during practice at the United States Grand Prix. This forced him to miss that race. He returned for the French Grand Prix. He then had a good run of four races where he scored points. This included a podium finish in Hungary. He finished the season sixth in the Drivers' Championship. He also helped Toyota finish fourth in the Constructors' Championship.

2006 Season

Schumacher (bottom) leads teammate Jarno Trulli in the 2006 Canadian Grand Prix.

Ralf continued with Toyota in 2006. He scored his and Toyota's first points of the season in Malaysia. He then achieved Toyota's only podium finish of the season in Australia.

He had some retirements but also scored points in other races. On 29 September, Ralf was chosen as the chairman of the Grand Prix Drivers Association (GPDA). This is a group for Formula One drivers. He finished the season tenth in the Drivers' Championship with 20 points.

2007 Season

Schumacher driving for Toyota at the 2007 British Grand Prix.

Ralf stayed with Toyota for 2007. He scored a point in the first race in Australia. Toyota was not happy with his performance during the season. He was publicly asked to improve.

He had a crash at the United States Grand Prix. On 1 October, Ralf announced he would leave Toyota at the end of the season. He finished his final Formula One season 16th in the Drivers' Championship with 5 points.

After Formula One: Attempted Comebacks

After leaving Toyota, Ralf talked with several Formula One teams. He spoke with Toro Rosso but they signed other drivers. He also asked McLaren about a seat but was turned down.

Ralf's last time driving a Formula One car was at a test for the new Force India team in December 2007. He was the slowest driver there. He then announced he would not join the team. He decided it was unlikely he would race in Formula One again.

Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters (DTM) Career (2008–2012)

After Formula One, Ralf Schumacher joined the Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters (DTM) series. This is a popular touring car series in Germany.

2008 Season

Schumacher driving for Mücke at the DTM round at Brands Hatch in 2008.

On 18 February 2008, it was announced Ralf would drive in DTM for Mücke Motorsport. He finished 14th in his first race. He scored his first DTM points by finishing eighth at the Nürburgring. He finished the season 14th in the Drivers' Championship with 3 points.

2009 Season

Schumacher driving for HWA at the Hockenheimring in 2009.

For 2009, Ralf moved to the HWA Team with Mercedes-Benz. He scored his first points of the season with a sixth-place finish at the Norisring. He finished the season 11th in the Drivers' Championship with 9 points.

2010 Season

Schumacher driving for HWA at the Hockenheimring in 2010.

Ralf stayed with HWA for 2010. He scored points with a sixth-place finish at the Nürburgring. He had some retirements due to collisions and car issues. Ralf finished the season 14th in the Drivers' Championship, scoring 3 points.

2011 Season

Schumacher competing in the 2011 DTM season.

In 2011, Ralf remained at HWA. He achieved his first two podiums in DTM. He finished third at the Hockenheimring and second at the Red Bull Ring. This second-place finish was his best result in DTM. He finished the season eighth in the Drivers' Championship with 21 points.

2012 Season

Ralf continued with HWA for the 2012 season. He scored points in the first two races. He had an electrical problem while leading a race at the Norisring, which forced him to retire. Ralf finished the season 17th in the Drivers' Championship with 10 points.

Life After DTM

Ralf Schumacher announced his retirement from active racing in March 2013. He took on a management role at Mücke Motorsport. He also became a part-owner of the team. In this role, he helps mentor young drivers who are signed with Mercedes-Benz.

In 2019, Ralf became a commentator for Formula One races on Sky Deutschland. He made a special return to racing in August 2024. He entered the Nürburgring round of the Prototype Cup Germany. He shared a car with his son, David. They won both races that weekend.

Personal Life

In April 2001, Ralf became engaged to Cora-Caroline Brinkmann. They married on 5 October 2001. Their son, David Schumacher, was born on 23 October 2001. David also became a racing driver. Outside of racing, Ralf enjoys cycling, tennis, and backgammon.

Ralf and Cora divorced in February 2015.

In 2011, Ralf became a Laureus Ambassador for the Laureus Foundation. He supports the Gut Aiderbichl animal sanctuary near Salzburg. Ralf is also a brand ambassador for Mercedes-Benz, Toyota, and Lexus in Germany.

On 14 July 2024, Ralf announced on social media that he is in a relationship with Étienne Bousquet-Cassagne.

Racing Record

Career Summary

See also

In Spanish: Ralf Schumacher para niños