Eurosport - Wed, 11 Feb 17:55:00 2009
Ralf Schumacher has extended his contract to continue in the DTM for the coming season, with the former Formula One racer moving up to a 2009-spec Mercedes C-Class for his second year in the series.
Having seen his F1 career come to an end, the 33-year-old followed in the footsteps of drivers like Jean Alesi, Mika Hakkinen and Heinz-Harald Frentzen in switching to the touring car series but he endured a difficult year in a 2007-spec car - taking a best finish of seventh and finishing down in 14th place in the standings.
However, with his learning year now behind him, Schumacher will be armed with the new 2009 Trilux AMG Mercedes C-Class for the new campaign and he said he was now keen to repay the faith shown in him by the manufacturer for the his second year of competition.
"After only one year with a year old car I now change to the up-to-date Mercedes-Benz C-Class," he said. "It was clear for all of us that 2008 would be a learning year for me, therefore I am satisfied with my achievements.
"The 2009 C-Class is a big chance for me and I want to justify the trust Mercedes-Benz put in me with good results.
"In my opinion, the DTM is the best touring car series in the world. Here we fight hard for every metre and every tenth of a second. As I know from many encounters in the paddock, the fans like this as much as me.
"From my point of view, the spectators don't get more value for their money in any other top racing series."
Mercedes-Benz motorsport chief Norbert Haug welcomed the chance to give Schumacher the latest model of car for the season ahead and said he was confident the driver would show what he is capable of during the year ahead.
"During the last season, Ralf Schumacher demonstrated that he was racing in the DTM with all his heart and that, after his Formula One career, he does not consider touring car racing a challenge which he has yet finished," he said.
"His learning year was good for him and for the DTM. The racing series again showed that even a world class driver with Formula One victories to his credit cannot come straight in and compete against the front runners.
"Nevertheless, Ralf became one of the most popular drivers already in his debut year and was the focus of the interest from the beginning to the end.
"Our latest tests in Mugello showed that Ralf can drive a DTM touring car at top level. After his 'learning year', he will get the chance in our new 2009 C-Class: now everything is up to him and to us and I am sure Ralf will show what he can do."
Comment 1 - 15 of 15
Spunky: last year he was new to the DTM, he was in an old car, & driving on circuits that were new to him. 3 reasons he was pish poor. Non of those excuses will wear this year. (And also he's a @#$% driver).
He should switch to goKarts again. Maybe he'll do well against all the eight year olds..
Hey, he has been in a good car at Williams, and the Toyota showed some real promise his first year there but he still did incredibly badly, and it didn't stop him making pathetic excuses then. So why should now be any different?
The issue here is, that for this man to keep a drive in DTM after his terrible year last year, AND get a better car, the once amazing DTM series must really be on it's knees. Which is a criminal shame.
marnio you really are a pain in the arse you know that. I am sick fed up of reading through the comments on here to find your garbage of all this @#$% about hamiltons son, this and that, glock and all the rest of it. So who really cares what happened, the season is OVER, its time for a new season, the old season is consigned to the history books. Its time to see what these new machines can do, stop leaving your useless and annoying comments that as far as I can see just piss people off, no one wants to hear what you have to say. You don't take part in any of the debates now do us all a favour and just shut the @#$% UP!!!!!!!
mediocre driver (comparatively) and a poor sports man. Will only be remembered as the brother of ...?
he rode michaels coat tails.....c+ driver at best
In F1, he seemed to have reasonably good speed with a good car but when was asked to become the first driver and therefore a development driver for the Toyota F1 team, the feedback he was giving the engineers drove the car and the team backwards. Look at the progress the team had after Trulli took over.
Nevertheless, if the new car they give him is comparable to the other top runners he should be able to do reasonably well.
It will be interesting to see how he stacks up against the top guys in the best cars. He has no excuses to hide behind this year. If he doesn't make it they should give the car to Susie Stoddard.
Seriously who cares, he was a lack talent liabilty in F1, he may as well be racing go karts of the pedal variety.
I guess. We'll just have to wait and see how he performs. I suspect that if he doesn't, he'll be out of that series also. Then he might try NASCAR. All he has to do for that series is go around in a circle..............haha
mejask............
Unlike Hakkinen, the German 1 eyed Pink Piccolo player has had more rings than a second hand jewellers. Admittedly, the rings are usually waist height and belonging to Thai or Brazilian (possibly Peruvian) rent boys, but that trait runs in his family.
The has-been, that never was, is to motor racing, what Jeremy Clarkson is to diplomacy.
Norbert will be rueing the day that he allowed the 3rd rate German behind the wheel of the new Merc.
Of course he did, he needs the job and the money that goes with it. He is not as wealthy as his brother as he did nothing in F1
nah just more mediocrity
Unlike Hakkinen, 2 championship rings, he has none. Can't compare them. Also, to say DTM is the best touring car series in the world is his opinion. Well I will agree it is one of the best, ALMS and GRAND-AM here in the US is just as good. That's my opinion........
Looking forward to seing him again at Brands and hope he's a bit faster this year.
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