Q & A with Ralf Schumacher

The former Grand Prix driver looked ahead to the coming season as a rookie in the ultra-competitive tin-top series.

Q. You made enough money in your Formula One career, why didn't you retire this year and just enjoy your life?

Ralf Schumacher: Being a racing driver, you don't feel really comfortable when you've stayed at home for a while without racing. It gets boring in the long run. When I was offered the opportunity to test a DTM Mercedes, I said: "Great! I'd love to." Now, with five tests completed, I'm looking forward to the season kicking off at Hockenheim on April 13.

Q. When did you start thinking seriously about making the switch to DTM?

RS: In December. This chance arose thanks to my long-term friendship with Norbert Haug. A long time ago, Norbert and I agreed that I would test a DTM car sometime. We talked about this plan again and again in our joint Formula One days, and now the opportunity came up.

Q. What detail of the Mercedes offer was the most convincing, for you?

RS: DTM combines two factors: motor racing at the highest level and extremely safe racing cars. Both are extremely important for me. There were some other opportunities available but they were out of question.

Following the first laps of testing at Estoril I quickly realised that I truly enjoyed driving a DTM car. After the next test it was clear that I would love to race in DTM, and after that we quickly came to an agreement.

Q. Every DTM driver will give his best to beat you, do you really know what you're about to get into?

RS: 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 high-level series and my first DTM season will definitely be a learning year.

Still, I return to an environment I know and appreciate. More than 10 years ago, I was racing as young gun in the DTM support programme for three seasons, and in these days I learned to appreciate the DTM and its environment.

Q. Are you taking a major risk, are you afraid of making a fool of yourself?

RS: No, definitely not. As I said, it will be a learning year. First of all, I will have to adapt to a new situation and will begin in the final third of the grid.

Q. What did your wife, Cora, think about your decision?

RS: My wife welcomed the decision. On one hand because she knows that I can get rather bad-tempered when having to stay at home for too long without racing, but furthermore she is a motorsport enthusiast and likes the DTM.

Q. Does this switch represent a chance to spruce up your reputation?

RS: When racing in F1, 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 a better chance to distinguish yourself both on and off track. That's exactly what I want to achieve, step by step.

Q. Do you plan to be racing in the DTM long-term?

RS: So far I'm just planning for the 2008 season and focussing fully on the tasks ahead. At a later point in time Norbert Haug and I will discuss the future.

Q. Is the door to F1 closed for good, or do you dream of a comeback?

RS: I'm truly looking forward to DTM. Obviously, I'd have loved to continue in F1 with a car with winning potential, but now a new challenge has come up and it's a challenge I'd like to meet.

Q. Wouldn't it be fantastic to also race a Mercedes in F1?

RS: As I said, continuing my F1 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 Mercedes secured in the season opener at Melbourne demonstrated their potential. It goes without saying that driving such a car would be an attractive option.

Actually, I had my maiden F1 test back in 1996 in a McLaren Mercedes. Now I am focussed on DTM, but should the chance arise to return to F1 with a competitive car, Mercedes definitely wouldn't prevent me from doing so.

Q. There are five German drivers on this year's F1 grid. Who do you think will be the best?

RS: Nick Heidfeld. With two races contested, he holds a promising position in the drivers' championship and BMW have secured good results. BMW know how to succeed, those not too young will remember that I won several races at the wheel of a Williams-BMW five years ago.

Q. Will BMW be able to fight McLaren and Ferrari for the championship?

RS: McLaren and Ferrari certainly will be battling at the very front of the field, but BMW have also 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.