This Tuesday, DTM newcomer Ralf Schumacher completed his final test prior to the season kick-off held in Hockenheim. During the course of one and a half days of testing at the Motorsport Arena Hockenheim, the six-time Grand Prix winner covered a total mileage of 927.696 kilometres (251 laps). In the run-up to the DTM Launch in Düsseldorf, the German answered the questions of Sport Informationsdienst (sid).
You’ve made enough money in your Formula 1 career, didn’t you? Why don’t you retire to just enjoy your life?
Being a racing driver, you don’t feel really comfortable when having stayed at home for a while without racing. It’s getting boring on the long run. And when I was offered the opportunity to test a DTM Mercedes, I said: “Great! I’d love to test it.” And now, with five tests completed, I’m looking forward to the season kick-off held at Hockenheim on 13th April.
When did you start thinking seriously about making the switch to DTM?
In December. This chance arose thanks to the contact to and my long-term friendship with Norbert Haug. A long time ago, Norbert and I already had agreed that I would test a DTM car, sometime. We talked about this plan again and again, in our joint Formula 1 days. And now, the opportunity came up.
What detail of the Mercedes offer was the most convincing, for you?
DTM combines two factors: motor racing on the highest level and extremely safe racing cars. Both was and is extremely important for me. There were some other opportunities available but they were out of question, from my point of view. Following the first laps of testing at Estoril I quickly realised that I truly enjoyed driving a DTM car. And after the next test it was clear that I would love to race in DTM. Afterwards, we quickly came to an agreement.
You are aware that any other DTM driver will give his very best to beat you. Do you really know what you are about to get involved with?
There will be a lot I’ll have to learn but I have fun doing so and am facing a huge challenge: I regard myself as apprentice in a series on the highest level. My first DTM season definitely will be a learning year, for me. Still, I return to an environment I know and appreciate. More than ten years ago, I have been racing as young gun in the DTM support programme for three years - and in these days, I learned appreciating DTM and its environment.
You take a major risk. Are you afraid of making a fool of yourself?
No, definitely not. As I said, it will be a learning year. First of all, I will have to adapt to a new situation that will begin on the final third of the grid, for me.
You don’t want privileges in DTM but to be treated as any other driver. Does this switch possibly also represent a chance to spruce up your reputation?
When racing in Formula 1, you have to cope with that many media and PR commitments all over the world that it’s extremely difficult to always deliver in fine style. While DTM offers the chance of distinguishing both on and off track. And that’s exactly what I want to achieve - step by step.
What did your wife, Cora, say regarding your decision? Will she feel comfortable on the small DTM stage representing a completely different environment than the glamorous Formula 1 world?
My wife welcomed my decision. On the one hand because she knows that I can get rather bad-tempered when having to stay at home for too long without racing. Furthermore, she is a motor-racing enthusiast and likes DTM.
Do you plan a long-term DTM involvement or have you thought just about this year, to date?
So far I’m just planning the 2008 season and fully focus on the tasks ahead. At a later point in time, Norbert Haug and I will discuss the future.
Is the door to Formula 1 closed for good or do you dream of a comeback?
Now, I’m truly looking forward to DTM. Quite obviously I’d loved to continue in Formula 1 with a car with winning potential but now, a new challenge has come up and it’s a challenge I like to meet.
Wouldn’t it be fantastic to also race a Silver Arrow in Formula 1?
As I said: Continuing my Formula 1 career at the wheel of a potential winner would have been great. But unfortunately, such a car wasn’t available at the end of the 2007 season. The result the Silver Arrows secured in the season opener at Melbourne demonstrated their potential. And it goes without saying that driving such a car would be an attractive option, for me. Actually, I executed my maiden Formula 1 test, back in 1996, with a McLaren Mercedes. But now I fully focus on my DTM involvement. And should the chance arise to return to Formula 1 with a competitive car, Mercedes definitely wouldn’t prevent me from doing so.
There are five German drivers on this year’s Formula 1 grid. Who do you think will be the best?
BMW-Sauber and Nick Heidfeld. With two races contested, Nick holds a promising position in the drivers’ championship standings and BMW Sauber has secured good results, in the first two rounds of the season. After all, BMW knows how to succeed. Those not too young possibly will remember that I won several Formula 1 races at the wheel of a Williams-BMW, five years ago.
Will the season bring another title duel between Ferrari and McLaren-Mercedes? Or will BMW be able to also become a factor in this battle? Who are your World Championship favourites?
McLaren-Mercedes and Ferrari certainly will be battling at the very front of the field but BMW also has got what it takes to win - no doubt. Therefore, I think that the fight for the 2008 championship will turn out to be a battle of those three teams.
