SALZBURG, Austria, 22 September 2004 — Ralf Schumacher is hoping to score some championship points for Williams-BMW in the last remaining three races, he said yesterday.
The younger brother of world champion Michael Schumacher is set to return to Grand Prix racing at the Chinese Grand Prix in Shanghai on Sunday after a 12-week-long injury lay-off following an accident at the US Grand Prix. “I am very happy to be able to race again and am highly motivated to pick up some points for my team. I think I owe that to the mechanics and the whole team, that has been working so hard throughout the season,” he said. The 29-year-old wants to start picking up points on Sunday in Shanghai. “I am optimistic that we can manage that. Nobody knows the track and everybody needs to learn how to race on it. I am sure it will be exciting for all drivers.”
The reason for his optimism is that he believes the car is strong. “I was pleasantly surprised with the development. The car has received a boost and is much easier to handle.” The long break since the accident on June 20 in Indianapolis has been good for Schumacher.
“When I tested in Silverstone last week, I realized how much fun it was to race. After having raced for eight years in Formula One, I was taking it for granted.”
Although Schumacher broke two vertebra and nearly ended up in a wheelchair, he did not think of retiring. “Not for a second. I enjoy racing much too much for that.
“Formula One racing is simply dangerous, but there are many other things that are also dangerous.”
Next season’s move to Toyota is not a big deal at the moment for him. “Of course I think about it at times, but at the moment the only thing that matters are the next three races.”
