RALF SCHUMACHER is a German former racing driver who was born on this date. He is the younger brother of seven-time Formula One World Champion Michael Schumacher, and the pair are the only siblings to each win Formula One races.
Schumacher began karting at the age of three and achieved early success before making the transition to automobile racing in the German Formula Three Championship and the Formula Nippon series. He first drove in Formula One with Jordan Grand Prix for the 1997 season. Schumacher moved to the Williams team in 1999, finishing sixth in the Drivers’ Championship that year. He won his first Grand Prix in 2001, en route to fourth place in the Drivers’ Championship, and subsequently won five more races over the course of two years.
Schumacher left Williams at the end of 2004 and joined Toyota Racing in 2005. His performance throughout 2006 and 2007 resulted in Schumacher leaving Formula One as a result of internal pressure. After leaving Formula One, Schumacher joined the Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters (DTM) in 2008, achieving minor success, and retired from motorsport at the end of 2012 to enter a managerial role within DTM, mentoring young drivers. He is now a co-commentator for Sky Sport in Germany.
In April 2001, Schumacher became engaged to Cora-Caroline Brinkmann, a former model; they were married in October that year in a private civil ceremony at the couple’s home in Hallwang, Austria. In October 2001, their son David was born three weeks premature.
In February 2015, Schumacher’s lawyer confirmed that Schumacher and his wife had divorced after an acrimonious period of separation. The couple fought a custody battle over their son, and Schumacher’s estimated €100 million fortune, which was resolved with Cora receiving a €6 million settlement and the family home at Bergheim. Schumacher was appointed a Laureus Ambassador at the Laureus World Sports Awards for the Laureus Foundation in 2011.
Schumacher’s close friend, actress Carmen Geiss, subsequently confirmed that he is gay. In July 2024, he announced on social media that he has been in a relationship with his partner for two years.
Schumacher announced his retirement from active motorsport in March 2013 and would enter a management role at Mücke Motorsport, as well as becoming a shareholder in the team. In his role, he assists in the mentoring of young drivers signed with Mercedes-Benz.[