MEDIA 

An interview with Ralf Schumacher 

18 May 2000
Question:  Did  you  make  up  with  your  brother after the duel in  Barcelona?
Ralf Schumacher:  We  didn't  need  to!  OK,  the manoeuvre was  very harsh and I got angry about
the lost podium place. As a matter of fact Michael and I don't really  enjoy  being overtaken and we also like to attack. Therefore we are  both strong adversaries on the  track  and  this was evident in our  last  two  races,  but  the  fact  remains  that Formula1 will never  change  our  relationship. No matter what happens. 
Question: Do you consider the Grand  Prix  at the Nurburgring as a home race?
Ralf Schumacher:  I  am  in  the  lucky position to
have  three  home  Grands  Prix a  year. With this race and Hockenheim I have two in Germany, and of course there is Monaco! Nurburgring is one of my favourite tracks but Monte Carlo is lots of fun as well, in spite of the narrow streets. 
Question:  What  connects  you  so strongly to the Nurburgring?
Ralf Schumacher: Many good memories. Kerpen is not far away and I also grew  up  near  the  track and  have  done  a  few  laps of the Nordschliefe (the old name for the  circuit). On the new circuit I  have had good results in Formula 3 and in 1999 I led a GP here for the first time. 
Question:  What  are  the  strongest emotions you feel when you get there?
Ralf Schumacher:  With regards to nervousness it is just another of 17 races for me, a lot is routine, and from 1999 I have learned that in motor sport you must never be too happy too soon. 
Question:  With  16   finishes  since  you   joined Williams you  are  the  most  consistent  Formula1 driver  of  the  last 15 months. Are you impressed by that?
Ralf Schumacher:  Statistics  are  not  my  strong point  really ,  but  the  more  points  I have to my  name the more I enjoy looking at the schedules! 
Question:  Williams  are  currently  third  in   the Constructors' Championship and you  are  fifth in the Drivers', is this a surprise?
 
 

 
 
Ralf Schumacher: Yes. Before the season we had big problems. Melbourne was  the  first  time that we completed a full race distance! 
Question:  What do you attribute this to?
Ralf Schumacher:  Everybody  works  long  hours everyday, and when its not enough they  also add the night! 
Question : In  Gerhard  Berger  you  have  an  old rival  as  one  of  the  BMW  bosses.  What is your relationship like?
Ralf Schumacher :  Gerhard  is  a  very important member of the team in that he  helps  co-ordinate the  engineers  and  the drivers. For example: the engineers  know that two engines are identical as they  have  identical  value  data  but when  I tell them   that   one   seems   better  than t he  other, Gerhard   understands. 
Question :  Williams  extended  your  contract at the  end  of  last y ear.  Did this boost  your self- confidence?
Ralf Schumacher :  It  was  a  very positive signal and both sides feel that we work well  with  each other. 
Question :  But  at the beginning there were some doubts..?
Ralf Schumacher :  A  man gets more mature as he grows up, especially when he began  his  Formula1 career  at  only  21. Then  as  a  person's   stature grows  he  establishes  himself  more  and  this is what happened to me. 
Question : What do you think about young drivers in  the  sport?  How   do  you  and   Jenson  work together?
Ralf Schumacher: In terms of work Jenson and I understand each other very well, even if we don't have any personal relationship. He is fast and that is good. 
Question :  Williams seem much closer to McLaren and Ferrari this  season. Where  are those missing tenths?
Ralf Schumacher : At  the  moment we are clearly behind those teams. The last  tenths  are  in  fact the  most  difficult - a  bit like losing weight! The package  is  not yet quite as  good as those of the teams in front of us. The engine is new and misses
some  performance and is also a bit heavy. But the chassis must also improve aerodynamically. 
Question :  What do you wish for at the European Grand Prix this weekend?
Ralf Schumacher :  Rain! 
Question :  Do  you  think  there  is any chance of that?
Ralf  Schumacher :  Not   without  having  seen  a weather   report.  At  the  Nurburgring  there   is  always   the  chance  of   variable  weather and I would  suggest  you  take  both  shorts  and  warm boots   with   you !   This   knowledge   is   called
home - race - advantage !