Ralf Schumacher: Just Like Starting Over

Ralf Schumacher made his DTM debut at Hockenheim last weekend. Despite the ongoing coverage and hype surrounding his move, he remained relaxed and frank about his conservative expectations.

He wanted to race an older car so he could adapt to the series without the burden of expectation that would have come with one of Mercedes' four new cars. While he didn't get the low-key debut he was hoping for thanks to the eager home press, he did make a solid start and conducted himself admirably during the weekend.

His Friday morning practice was cut short when he lost sixth gear and pulled off the road about 15 minutes before the end of the session. He, like most of the Mercedes drivers, elected not to go out in the treacherous conditions on Friday afternoon.

It looked as though he would make it through to the second round of qualifying until he was pushed out by the very last laps of the session.

Sunday's race was a solid effort. He made a poor start but passed a couple of cars and was catching the battle between Alexandre Premat, Markus Winkelhock, and Paul di Resta at the end of the race. He didn't quite have the pace to threaten them, but he did beat his teammate Maro Engel and finished 14th.

Q: What's your overall impression of the weekend?

Ralf Schumacher: In general I'm pretty happy. I think the start can be improved, but apart from that I had the possibility to overtake two guys which was very enjoyable. The pit stops were brilliant by the team, the strategy was good as well and enabled me to pass another car in the pits.

My race pace, the third stint was relatively satisfactory compared to the other 2007 Mercedes, so in general I'm reasonably happy. I know 14th doesn't look too brilliant, but when you compare the lap times it's alright.

The Mucke Mercedes-Benz of Ralf Schumacher © DTM

Q: Was it more enjoyable than F1?

Schumacher: Yes, clearly, because the car was quite good and it was comparable to the other cars. I was able to follow (Paul) di Resta and some Audis, so that was a good comparison.

Q: What did you find difficult this weekend?

Schumacher: Overtaking is a problem in general. Unless somebody makes a big mistake you have no chance. The slipstream is there and you follow cars, but you lose front aero so it's difficult.

I got a bit more into the race flow, which I have to learn a bit more about, and the start was not good enough so we need to look into that. I only had about 10 practice starts ahead of the event - we couldn't do many because of the weather, so I will have to practice more next week at Oschersleben. Obviously the manual start was something new as well.

Q: How did you find qualifying on Saturday?

Schumacher: It was more or less as expected. We didn't quite make it but I was quite comparable to my teammates, so it's OK.

Each qualifying mode has its difference, but the biggest thing for me is to get together with the car and get the most out of the tyres. There is a special warm-up procedure and then you have to get onto the limit and that's difficult.

Q: How have you settled into the DTM after moving from F1?

Schumacher: It is refreshing to be in a comparable situation. In F1 you always depend on your car. You do here as well, but everyone has the same so you can compare yourself and see if you're an idiot or not. So I'm really looking forward to that as well this year.

The weekend is more relaxed, there are more people around, but it's still more relaxed. I'm here to enjoy myself, and try to do my best. It's a very nice situation, which I haven't felt for a long time.

Everything is very professionally handled. I have to say the journalists around here are a lot more relaxed than I'm used to, so you can enjoy your work.

Q: The DTM paddock is very busy. How does that compare to F1?

Ralf Schumacher follows the 2008 HWA Mercedes-Benz of Paul di Resta © XPB/LAT

Schumacher: The paddock is as full as F1 so there is not much difference. The fans are relaxed because they know they will get their autographs, so even if you go through and you say 'sorry, I have to go to the next meeting' they are pretty relaxed about it and they will wait.

Q: Now you have experienced a DTM race, are you still happy to be in a one-year-old car?

Schumacher: I know only half of the tracks so for me this situation, working with the team to get the best out of the car, I'm really happy to be in a used one. The gap to the new cars seems to be bigger this year, which makes it more difficult for the used car guys to be up there.

For me, it's pretty simple. I will try to be around the people I should be near, which is the people with the other used cars.

Q: Do you know if you want to do this long-term?

Schumacher: We will see how it develops. I am at the age where I could stick around, but it has to make sense. If we find that it makes sense, then we continue and I hope we do. That is the target, if not, then Norbert (Haug, Mercedes motorsport boss) is going to kick me out.

Q: Do you feel like a superstar in this paddock?

Schumacher: Why should I be a superstar? I did Formula One, not as successfully as I wished to, but I was there 11 years. But that has passed now, this is something new and to work with all these guys here is just enjoyable. I try to take it easy, this is the first time in a long time that I can enjoy it.