When people mention the name Schumacher in Formula One, the majority will automatically refer to Michael, the seven-time world champion, the legend in Ferrari, the name that is synonymous with the household. But what of his younger brother Ralf Schumacher?
Ralf Schumacher somehow never received the same attention, even though he competed in the same high-stakes world and accomplished quite a lot on his own. What is the reason? So, let us discuss it.
He Had Big Shoes to Fill
Just think of it, you are the younger brother of one of the best drivers in the history of F1. such was the case of Ralf Schumacher. Even at the beginning, the comparisons to Michael were apparent everywhere. Whatever he did on the track was always compared to that of his brother.
When you are compared to a living legend on a daily basis, it is hard to luster. Regardless of how good a job he did, there was an ever-present invisible line created by Michael — and the media, fans, and critics were rarely letting him forget about it.
He Was Good but Just Not “Michael Good”
Ralf Schumacher was a good Formula One driver. His career statistics were 6 wins, 27 podiums and more than 300 points in the Grand Prix. Not everybody can do that. Yet the limelight in F1 can be found following the largest titles, the most glamorous performances, and the largest personalities.
When Michael was setting records and winning titles, Ralf Schumacher was faring well but not winning titles. And in a sport where it pays to be number one, then number two (or even number six) does not always receive the affection it should.
His Cars Held Him Back
The fact is that even the most skilled driver cannot do without a good car. And Ralf Schumacher did not have the best machinery beneath him in the majority of his career. He raced with such teams as Jordan, Williams, Toyota and although Williams provided him with some good seasons, none of those vehicles were fast and reliable enough to compete with front-running teams such as Ferrari or McLaren.
Many fans fail to understand the extent to which the car is important in F1. He could have been talented but without the car to suit he found himself most of the time fighting against time.
Media Attention Was Always Somewhere Else
When Ralf Schumacher was racing there were some big characters in F1. Michael Schumacher was ruling the news. Then there came others such as Mika Hakkinen, Fernando Alonso and later on Kimi Raikkonen and Lewis Hamilton entering the scenario.
He was neither the most vocal, nor the most flamboyant, nor the most scandalous. He simply jumped into the car and did his job – which sadly, does not always make newspapers sell or get discussed on television.
He Was More Reserved Than Others
F1 fans are suckers of a good personality. It can be a hot-blooded driver, such as Fernando Alonso, or a cold-blooded one, such as Kimi Rikkonen, but the fans want to have a driver whom they can cheer or discuss. Ralf Schumacher was rather silent, most of the time. He did not create drama or seek headlines.
It is good when you do not want to be controversial — not so good when you want to remain in the limelight. What made him a great teammate, his calm and collected nature, did not serve him well in a sport that was dominated by big egos and big stories.
Injuries and Accidents Didn’t Help
Ralf Schumacher was not spared some tough times on the track as well. He had a couple of big wrecks, one of them a frightening one at Indianapolis in 2004. These accidents made him lose some races and disrupt the flow of his seasons.
In a game where momentum is key, being made to sit on the sidelines can really hurt your chances not only in the league tables, but also in the hearts of fans and teams. When you are not even on the track, it is difficult to remain in the spotlight.
The Toyota Move Didn’t Pay Off
Ralf Schumacher moved to Toyota in 2005, a team that has big ambitions, and a big budget. A lot of people believed it might be a clever career step. Yet the hype was followed by no results. Toyota had never been able to provide him with a really competitive car.
Rather than advance in ranks, he found himself stagnated in the midfield. It was not his doing – the team simply failed to perform. But that was also why Ralf Schumacher was not regarded as a top driver in the eyes of the public.
Fans and Media Just Didn’t Get Behind Him
The thing is that sometimes reality and the perception of reality by people are not the same. Ralf Schumacher did not do anything wrong. He was skillful, diplomatic and successful on his part. The F1 limelight is a weird one though. It does not necessarily go to those who deserve it most.
Be it that the time was not right, be it that the selection of the teams was wrong, or simply that his surname was associated with an excess of expectations, he never was the phenomenon many believed him to be capable of.
He Deserved More Credit
Ralf Schumacher ought to have been given more credit for what he accomplished. Not all F1 drivers are race winners. Not all drivers remain behind and exceed ten years. And not all drivers take being compared to their famous brother or sister as well as he did.
He was not simply the brother of Michael. He was a talented racer and a good one, and he had an honorable career in one of the most competitive sports on the planet.
It is very easy to remain in the shadows in Formula One – more so when your brother leaves a very large shadow like Michael Schumacher. It does not imply that he did not have his brilliance though.
He might never have won the limelight but he won the admiration of fellow riders, put his stamp on the sport and provided the fans with some moments to remember. And that, right there, is worth a celebration.
