Wel Come To Site Of Phenomenon In F1.....Michael And Ralf Schumacher

Come Home To The Stars

There have been over a million people who wanted joint Schumacher interviews over the years, but always the brothers have said no: They are individuals and should be treated as individuals went the argument. "Talk to us separately" they would say. Forget the comparisons. Now though, after months of persuation, Michael And Ralf are sitting down together infront of microphones and cameras for the first time. The audience for this historic occasion comprised the viewers of FOX SPORTS NET, AMERICAN T.V. STATION and the readers of 'F1 RACING'

  Given their carve-ups at Silverstone and Barcelona this year, given their though,hard racing in France and Austria in 1999, how do the Schueys feel when they are out there, fighting wheel to wheel ? Do they race againts brother the same way they would race a Hakkinen or DC?

Ralf says first " We Dont need to, Beacuse we know each other very well. We fight againts each other"

" Yeah, In Austria (1999), you shut the door on me" interjects Michael, smiling.

"And you nearly ran into the back of me" continues Ralf.

"I shouldent say this" continues Ralf, "Because motor racing is so serious now, but I really enjoy racing with Michael, and I think it's the same with him. OK, I was very angry after Barcelona (2000), but that was because I thought Michael was about to call into pits and therefore he should have made it easy for me. But Michael will always race and always race for me. This is how we are. I wanted to pass himbefore the end of the lap and, in the middle of all that, Barrichello got past me. I was angry about that."

Michael continues: "But you race with an open mind and you know who are you racing with. Thats what we enjoy. We want to fight. We really want to have this situation. We can be ourselves and still be very serious. We can be on the limit, but at the same time we can enjoy it."

In Melbourne (2000) both of them were on podium. What did it feel like to climb out of the cars in parc ferme and give each other a bearhug and What's it like to share that success with your brother?

" Its always a nice feeling" says Ralf, looking across Michael ," Especially when you know that both family members are in good position and have been able to fulfil their targets for the weekend"

" In Melbourne, I was very much surprised on the slowdown lap when I saw this guy coming up next to me, showing three fingers. I didn't know weather he was telling me he was third or three laps down! But it was obviously great result."

"They didnt expect to be third, we won the race and so, all in all, it was a very happy family atmosphere"

Going back to the early days, Ralf, was Michael helpful to you when you first started?

Michael, on cue, itervences " Be careful what you say now"

Ralf, laughing: " Well, every time i had a question, he was able to help me, because he had the experience, but every time you sit in the car, you have to do it yourself. He always helped me when he could, but it was a bit difficult, really"

Michael talks on brother's self-assertion "We did spent a lot of time together when i used to be his mechanic when he was karting, and i would often be quite upset with him when he woulden't be there to help me work on the cart and was instead running around with his friends and things like this."

"But he has developed and , obviously he has matured a lot, and you can see the results. I must say that he did learn very well"

Thier father Rolf Schumacher, used to work at a kart track.How did Schumacher dynasty begin its stranglehold on Formula 1? Did they follow the sport when they were kids?

"Not at all" replies Ralf. "I am not aware of any history, to be honest. I'm not really interested in it. Thats the way i am. I have only known F1 since Michael started in it in' 91"

"Yes, we are both the same because it comes from the parents, and how we were educated. Our parents weren't interested in motor racing. It was not our father's idea to make two racing drivers out of us."

Michael further adds " It just developed. And if you haven't lived this life for a long time, you dont look at it yet. So, as a child, we did all the normal things and we didn't cared about F1. In Germany, F1 wasn't a big deal at that time"