Michael Schumacher's brother provides clarity on relationship with F1 legend as health battle continues
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Michael Schumacher's brother, Ralf Schumacher, has insisted their relationship was never about 'intense competition' following their careers in F1 together.
Michael won seven Formula One titles prior to retiring for a second time in 2012, with the German establishing himself as one of the biggest legends in the sport's entire history.
Ralf also had a career in F1, racing for the likes of Jordan, Williams and Toyota.
Given how the pair both realised their dreams of competing in the sport, it's understandable to think the duo were fiercely competitive growing up.
Michael Schumacher's brother, Ralf Schumacher, has insisted their relationship was never about 'intense competition' following their careers in F1 together
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Yet Ralf, speaking to The Times, has insisted that was never the case and that his older brother was always more 'supportive' instead.
“No, my brother was more supportive,” said the 49-year-old.
“He showed me karting. We practised a lot together. He was my mechanic also in the beginning.”
He continued: "[Their rivalry] was never an issue between the two of us.
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"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."
Not much is known about Michael these days.
Having gone through his entire F1 career without sustaining any life-threatening injuries, tragedy struck while he was skiing in the French Alps back in 2013.
Michael, that day, veered off course and hit his head on a rock.
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The sporting world prayed for a miracle and, after being placed in a medically induced coma, he was later able to return home.
However, Schumacher's condition remains shrouded in secrecy over 11 years on - with only a handful aware of what he's like today.
The report says that questions about his life post-accident are banned. Understandably, with the family working tirelessly to keep details under wraps.
As for Ralf, the former F1 star is currently enjoying life with his partner, Etienne, having announced he was in a gay relationship last year.
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Michael Schumacher's brother, Ralf, admitted that he liked competing against his brother in Formula One
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His ex-wife, Cora Schumacher, has ripped into Ralf repeatedly - insisting she was kept in the dark over his sexuality.
He acknowledges there were always 'rumours' about his private life while he was in the paddock.
But he also firmly insists that he was never unfaithful to Cora.
Ralf continued: “The rumours were always there, but there were many reasons.
Michael Schumacher hasn't been seen in public since a tragic skiing accident back in 2013GETTY“You see, like Formula 1, back to the image, there were people well known for having girls in all of the countries they went to, even though they were married back home.
"And I just didn’t want to do that, maybe that’s why. Because I was married and that’s it."
Asked if he'd had any gay relationships while married to Cora, he continued: "Obviously not, no."
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