Schumacher slams Germany's bleak F1 future as self-inflicted 'CATASTROPHE'
Schumacher slams Germany's bleak F1 future as self-inflicted 'CATASTROPHE'
Former Formula 1 driver Ralf Schumacher has pulled no punches in his scathing criticism of Germany's diminishing presence in motorsport, declaring it a self-inflicted "catastrophe".
In an interview with motorsport-magazin.com, Schumacher unleashed his frustration surrounding the lack of investment in German motorsport.
"It's a catastrophe," he stated bluntly.
"We have abolished ourselves from the world of motorsport. And we did it with our eyes wide open.
"I have pointed it out multiple times, but apparently, it wasn't desired."
The six-time F1 race winner's frustration stems from the neglect of crucial elements that underpin a successful motorsport ecosystem. The 47-year-old draws attention to the demise of Formula 3, once a vital pathway to Formula 1 and a "focal point" of German motorsport.
"Our biggest problem was selling Formula 3," said the German.
"Formula 3 used to be the gateway to Formula 1 and as a support series for DTM, it was a focal point of German motorsport, attracting international drivers as well.
"Now, Germany has become interchangeable. Why should anyone pursue motorsport here anymore? Italy is where karting and Formula 4 thrive."
According to Schumacher, Germany's dwindling presence in Formula 1 further compounds the issue.
"We no longer have Formula 1 races, and with Mercedes, we only have one German manufacturer, although Audi will join as a second one.
"Mercedes recruits people regardless of their origin, which is the right thing to do. But Mercedes doesn't engage in traditional talent development.
"On top of that, we have barely any karting tracks. And the ones we have are old and in poor condition."
READ MORE: Wolff teases 'EXCITING' Mercedes upgrade news ahead of Monaco GP
'It's too late'
When questioned about prospects for improvement, Schumacher's response is bleak. He believes that the "Formula talent" train has already departed and suggests that Formula racing in Germany will remain dormant for the foreseeable future.
"As far as I'm concerned, the 'Formula talent' train has left. ADAC will focus on touring car racing," he said.
"For me, Formula racing in Germany is over for the next few years. We haven't invested in anything!
"If someone starts in karting today, they have to go to Italy. And once they're there, they stay in Italy. That excludes 99 per cent of all motorsport athletes because a professional season in Italy costs almost a quarter of a million. I don't know how many parents can afford such sums.
"That's the truth. I've been pointing it out for about ten years, but nobody wanted to listen."
As a nation that has delivered three F1 world champions in the modern era, the German motorsport community must confront these issues head-on.
Swift and substantial investments, coupled with comprehensive reforms, are imperative to revive and revitalise Germany's once-thriving Formula racing scene.
READ MORE: Schumacher BLASTS Red Bull's Marko over 'personal' feud
Related
Change your timezone:
Latest News
Ferrari secret upgrade REVEALED for key F1 race
- 24 minutes ago
New F1 record announced following Miami Grand Prix
- 1 hour ago
New British racing sensation EXCITED by Netflix developments
- 2 hours ago
Brundle spots key Senna and Mansell F1 feature in first Norris win
- 3 hours ago
Former F1 driver calls for KEY change to calendar
- Today 13:54
Verstappen highlights positive of Donald Trump after F1 appearance
- Today 12:55
F1 Race Calendar 2024
-
GP BAHRAIN
29 Feb - 2 Mar
Max Verstappen
-
GP SAUDI ARABIA
7 - 9 Mar
Max Verstappen
-
GP AUSTRALIA
22 - 24 Mar
Carlos Sainz
-
GP JAPAN
5 - 7 Apr
Max Verstappen
-
GP CHINA
19 - 21 Apr
Max Verstappen
-
GP USA
3 - 5 May
Lando Norris
- GP ITALY 17 - 19 May
- GP MONACO 24 - 26 May
- GP CANADA 7 - 9 Jun
- GP SPAIN 21 - 23 Jun
- GP AUSTRIA 28 - 30 Jun
- GP GREAT BRITAIN 5 - 7 Jul
Related news
Former F1 driver calls for KEY change to calendar
Red Bull chief accuses Wolff of DISRESPECTFUL Verstappen poaching
F1 drivers' penalty points: F1 star on brink of being BANNED
Lando Norris: 10 things you may not know about the F1 race winner
F1 Standings
Drivers
- Oliver Bearman
- Charles Leclerc
- Carlos Sainz
- Lando Norris
- Oscar Piastri
- Pierre Gasly
- Esteban Ocon
- Sergio Pérez
- Max Verstappen
- Alexander Albon
- Logan Sargeant
- Lewis Hamilton
- George Russell
- Nico Hülkenberg
- Kevin Magnussen
- Fernando Alonso
- Lance Stroll
- Valtteri Bottas
- Zhou Guanyu
- Daniel Ricciardo
- Yuki Tsunoda
Races
- Gulf Air Grand Prix of Bahrain 2024
- Saudi Arabian Grand Prix 2024
- Grand Prix of Australia 2024
- MSC Cruises Grand Prix of Japan 2024
- Grand Prix of China 2024
- Miami Grand Prix 2024
- Gran Premio dell'Emilia Romagna 2024
- Grand Prix of Monaco 2024
- AWS Grand Prix du Canada 2024
- Gran Premio de España 2024
- Grand Prix of Austria 2024
- Grand Prix of Great Britain 2024
- Grand Prix of Hungary 2024
- Grand Prix of Belgium 2024
- Heineken Dutch Grand Prix 2024
- Grand Prix of Italy 2024
- Grand Prix of Azerbaijan 2024
- Grand Prix of Singapore 2024
- Grand Prix of the United States 2024
- Gran Premio de la Ciudad de Mexico 2024
- Grande Prêmio de São Paulo 2024
- Heineken Silver Las Vegas Grand Prix 2024
- Qatar Grand Prix 2024
- Grand Prix of Abu Dhabi 2024
About GPFans
GPFans is a multi-platform, multi-language brand dedicated to Formula One coverage. We bring you all the ins and outs of the sport, 24/7, everything from up-to-the-minute news and features to the latest viral stories and clips.We believe that a new generation of exciting, outspoken drivers will make F1 more popular than ever before, and we want to give our users access to as much of their heroes as possible, on and off the track. From Lewis Hamilton to Max Verstappen, Daniel Ricciardo to Sebastian Vettel, we provide in-depth analysis of every every Grand Prix in the season, from Australia to Abu Dhabi.
With Formula One under the new ownership of Liberty Media, how the sport is being covered is evolving, and GPFans will look to be at the heart of this progression into new media, as one of the fastest-growing sites covering the king of motorsports.
Follow us on your favorite social media channel
Corporate & Media
Innovatieweg 20C7007 CD, Doetinchem, Netherlands
+31645516860