Michael Schumacher's brother makes heartbreaking admission about F1 icon amid health battle
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Michael Schumacher's brother, Ralf Schumacher, has revealed that he felt the burden of being related to the F1 icon during his prime years in the sport.
Michael won seven Formula One titles during his career, establishing himself as one of the best drivers in history in the process.
As for Ralf, the 49-year-old was also once an F1 driver.
He raced for the likes of Jordan, Williams and Toyota before retiring in 2007 - despite a couple of attempted comebacks.
Michael Schumacher's brother, Ralf Schumacher, has revealed that he felt the burden of being related to the F1 icon during his prime years in the sport
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These days, little is known about Michael. The former Ferrari star hasn't been seen in public since a tragic skiing accident in the French Alps back in 2013.
And Ralf, speaking to The Times, has admitted it was tough being related to Michael while they were both involved in F1.
He even claims that their father, Rolf Schumacher, even suggested that he quit the sport because he'd never be able to replicate his sibling's achievements.
“People look at you and everything you do is not good enough," he said.
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“They (my family) are not really into motor sport. My father doesn’t like that. He prefers fishing.
“Even when Michael was so successful, my father always said to me: ‘Please, do something different.’
“He wanted me to be a chef, to have a proper job and not motor racing, because you cannot make money with it.
“Even when Michael was in Formula 1, my father said: ‘No, no, forget it. He was so lucky. One is amazing already, but two [sons] will never make it. So do something else.’"
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Ralf managed to win 10 races during his F1 career.
But he insists he's at peace with everything he achieved throughout his time behind the wheel.
“I remember before I did my first year in Formula 1, I was already living in Monaco and I met [the Austrian driver] Gerhard Berger with my brother on his boat in Monaco and he was talking about his career," he continued.
"I think he managed to win ten grands prix, and when I was young I thought: ‘Oh God, this poor guy, you know, if I finish Formula 1 one day, I don’t want to end up like him with only ten victories.’
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Michael Schumacher and Ralf Schumacher celebrate together at the 2001 Canadian Grand Prix
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"And I didn’t even manage that, you know, so that’s life.”
Ralf also looks back fondly on his memories of driving against Michael, insisting they were always close despite being rivals.
“[Racing against each other] was never an issue between the two of us," he stated.
"Because what Michael did was amazing and I was always so happy for him. But sometimes to be able to beat him was also nice.
Michael and Ralf Schumacher's father, Rolf Schumacher, urged the latter to pursue another career outside of F1
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“But after the races, we always celebrated together. And to be as brothers on the podium [in Canada in 2001] is something very special.
"We had a big party together that day. It was just an amazing feeling, for our parents also.”
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