24 January 2024 , 11:06
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Ralf Schumacher has admitted his regret at never sharing a Formula 1 team with his brother Michael.
Ralf competed in F1 between 1997 and 2007 for Jordan, Williams and Toyota, achieving six wins. Yet his career was overshadowed by his brother's, as Michael won seven world titles during his time with Benetton (1994-1995) and Ferrari (2000-2004).
Only Lewis Hamilton (2008, 2014-2015, 2017-2020) has won as many world championships as Michael. Ralf would've loved to have partnered his brother at Benetton, Ferrari or another team during his career, but he never had the chance to do so.
"It would have been amazing, but on the other hand the problem was always... first of all there was never really an opportunity," Ralf told the Formula for Success podcast, which is hosted by F1 legends David Coulthard and Eddie Jordan.
"And second, one of us would have always lost. I don't know whether that would have been good from a marketing point of view or a relationship point of view between brothers. Going back, it would have been amazing to share a season together."
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For a decade, Ralf and Michael battled in F1. Yet Ralf, who is seven years younger than his brother, insists their rivalry never caused friction in the family. He added: "I have to say it was very open. I knew what he was doing and he knew what I was doing. It was always good to be able to talk to somebody that you could trust."
Michael and Ralf aren't the only members of the Schumacher family grace motorsport. Michael's son Mick, 24, competed in F1 between 2021 and 2022 for Haas before being dropped. He is now a reserve driver for Mercedes and McLaren.
Michael Schumacher's son Mick has also competed in F1 (Getty Images)Do you remember Michael Schumacher's battles with Ralf in Formula 1? Let us know in the comments below!
Ralf's son David, 22, is also pursuing a career in motorsport, having participated in Formula 3 and other series. And Sebastian Stahl, who is the step-brother of Michael and Ralf, has competed in endurance events - including the Nurburgring 24 Hours race.
Michael hasn't been seen in public since suffering a brain injury in a skiing accident in 2013, with his family providing few updates on his condition. His wife Corinna said in 2021: "He still shows me how strong he is every day. We're trying to carry on as a family."
Corinna revealed that information in a Netflix documentary about her husband's life and career. She added: "'Private is private', as he always said. It's very important to me that he can continue to enjoy his private life as much as possible.
"Michael always protected us, and now we are protecting Michael... We live together at home. We do therapy. We do everything we can to make Michael better and to make sure he's comfortable. And to simply make him feel our family, our bond."