The Hindu : Sport : Schumachers squabble

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Tuesday, May 24, 2005

Sport

Sport

Schumachers squabble

FRANKFURT: Ralf Schumacher has accused older brother Michael of endangering their lives with a risky overtaking manoeuvre at the Monaco Grand Prix.

Michael tried to squeeze in-between the wall and his brother's Toyota in the last lap on the straight, just before the chequered flag, in Sunday's race. Ralf avoided any contact by pulling his car away from Michael's Ferrari.

``It was very dangerous,'' Ralf Schumacher told a German television station. ``It seems to be that Michael sometimes loses it. I have the feeling he sometimes switches his brain off,'' Ralf was also quoted in Monday's Bild newspaper.

"If our tires had touched even slightly, one of us would have been gone,'' he said. ``At least one of one would have a broken neck. I don't want that.

``We are not there to endanger each other's lives. It's just frustration, because nothing is working for Michael.''

Attack justified

Michael responded to his brother's accusation by saying he was not on a ``day trip.''

``My attack was absolutely justified. I am a full-blooded race driver,'' the seven-time Formula One world champion told Bild.

At the time, Ralf was in sixth position, with Michael right behind, and they finished the race in that order.

After dominating last season, Michael finds himself in the unusual also-ran role this year. He has not won a race in six attempts and has finished only three — one second place and two seventh-placed finishes. — AP

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