Formula One news

Ralf Schumacher to continue in DTM

Former Formula 1 driver Ralf Schumacher has extended his contract with Mercedes for the DTM series. The 33-year-old Schumacher enjoyed his first year in DTM in 2008, but with a one-year old car. In the upcoming season Ralf Schumacher will be racing a 2009 AMG Mercedes C-Class.

After 11 years in Formula 1, Ralf Schumacher started his DTM career at Hockenheim on 13th April 2008. Like Jean Alesi and Mika Häkkinen before, who had changed from Formula 1 to DTM in 2002 and 2005 respectively after their Formula 1 careers, Ralf Schumacher was by far the most demanded interview partner for the media and a favourite of the spectators.

Ralf Schumacher scored his first point in the DTM finishing eighth at the Nürburgring in extreme weather conditions. There he had started from seventh on the grid, his best ever qualifying result. In Barcelona he finished seventh which was his best race result of the season.

Ralf Schumacher had concluded his Formula 1 career after 11 years and 180 grands prix at the end of the 2007 season. He won six grands prix and - with BMW Williams - finished both the 2001 and 2002 Drivers' World Championships in fourth place. Ralf Schumacher is the second best German grand prix driver behind his brother Michael. After changing to the DTM at the beginning of the previous season, he became soon one of the most popular drivers for fans and media due to his friendly attitude.

Commenting on his new contract for DTM Ralf Schumacher said: "After only one year with last year's car I now change to the up-to-date Mercedes-Benz C-Class. A great chance for me. 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."

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