MEDIA 

RALF SEEKS FOR REDEMPTION

Schumacher Jr's favorite track  - 10/04/98 
In Australia, Ralf Schumacher crashed his Jordan out  on  the  second lap after a collision with Dane Jan Magnussen  while in  Brazil he spun off on the first  lap... He  does  not  manage  to  complete two consecutive lap in race trim ! 
Twelve  months  ago  Ralf Schumacher marked the third race of his debut season in FormulaOne with a  podium  finish  in  the  Argentine grand prix. On his return to the Buenos Aires circuit, the 22-year -old's sights are set on a repeat to bring an end to a  horrendous  start  to  the season for his Jordan team.  These  results  were  a  far  cry   from  the performances expected after the team had signed
former world champion Briton Damon Hill. Hill was disqualified from the Brazilian race  and  finished eighth  in  Australia.  Despite  the  setbacks ,  Ralf Schumacher remains confident  his team can mount a decent challenge this season. 
"It is always a good feeling coming back to a race track where I have had  success," Ralf  explained. "Last  year  the  result  was  fantastic for me and, following a good  test  in  Barcelona  last  week, I think  we  are  well - prepared  this  time too. I am hoping that my team mate  Damon  Hill  and  I  can finish  in  the  points  Ralf  believes Jordan could 
still   secure  a  victory   this  season,   their  first 
 
 

 
 
in formula one,   if  luck  is  on their  side. "After  the first  two races   I   must   say   that McLaren look  like  they  cannot  be  beaten  under  normal
circumstances," the  German  said. "Their package of  chassis,  engine,   tyres  and  drivers  is   very competitive,  but  then  again  you cannot tell how long  their   performance   will  last.  Jordan  are working very hard, and I believe they will get the job done. If you add  the  experience that Damon has  brought  to  the team, I am sure we will enjoy success in  the near  future. But to win a race also requires  some  luck -- and  hopefully we will have that.  The  team  has  changed  a  lot  since I first came to them in the autumn of 1996".
Schumacher  Jr's hopes have been boosted by the addition of 1996 world champion Hill  to the team. After  a  problematic  season  alongside Giancarlo Fisichella last season, the  difference  is  obvious. "Working   with  Damon  Hill  is  a completely new experience for me. I have never worked with such an  experienced  driver and what he is bringing to Jordan is helping both  the team and myself to set the  car  up  well.  From  the   moment  we  started working  together  we have got on well and I hope it continues that  way.  Damon is very professional in everything he  does  and,  although he had some trouble with my brother, he  has  never shown that to  me.  He  understands  that  I  am  Ralf  and not Michael." 
It   may  take  some   time  before   Ralf   emerges entirely from the shadow of his older brother, but he has made it clear that the bond he enjoys with Michael  will  never  compromise  his or his team's position. "Believe it or  not,  when  Michael  and  I meet  we  do  not  speak  a  lot  about  racing.  We decided  this  last  year because Michael does not like  to  speak  about  Ferrari  and  their progress, and I don't want to tell him anything about Jordan. When we get together, we talk about football and tennis."