F1 Stories

F1 winner admits he NEVER liked his team-mates...except one

Team-mates don't always see eye to eye in F1

Matthew Hobkinson Lead Editor

F1 Editor & Journalist

Thursday 8 February 2024 14:57

Ex-Formula 1 star Ralf Schumacher has admitted that he didn't like any of his team-mates in the sport, with a single exception.

Jenson Button was the man who melted Schumacher's heart, breaking the common sense of an inter-team rivalry in the sport - with team-mates often compared to each other above all else.

Running in the same machinery, team-mates are eager to prove that they are the best driver and therefore get some of the perks associated with that such as preferential strategy calls during a race.

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It is not uncommon for team-mates to clash – see 'Multi 21, Seb' – as after all there is only space for one driver at they very top of the podium.

Ralf Schumacher on duty for Sky Sports Germany

The German was a fan of Jenson Button during their time together as team-mates

Schumacher: Button only F1 team-mate I liked

Yet there was one exception, in the form of his then Williams team-mate Button during the 2000 season.

“I didn’t like my team-mates. Never. Except for Jenson I have to say," he told the Formula For Success podcast.

"He was a relatively easy guy. On the other hand, I was difficult for my team-mates too because I didn’t want any conversation other than setup work we had to do with the engineers.

"That was separate for me and team-mates was always the first one to be beaten.”

Button himself has admitted a similar outlook to Schumacher, stating that he even looked to take advantage of Lewis Hamilton's vulnerabilities when the pair were together at McLaren.

F1 Williams Michael Schumacher Ralf Schumacher Jenson Button