F1 to One
with Ralf Schumacher - Jordan.
F1 Racing, November 1996.

Q: How do you get on with your brother?
A: We have a real good relationship. We talk a lot. We've always been close and he takes a strong interest in my racing. He can't advise me on the actual driving but obviously he already knows the way Formula 1 works.

Q: Are you a fan of his?
A: Yes, I am. I think it's obvious that he is the best driver in F1 by a long way. He turns in a lot of fantastic drives and he's done some great things with Ferrari.

Q: Were you close to signing for McLaren?
A: To be honest, I don't think I was the right person for them. McLaren want and need to win races next year and I think there would have been too much pressure. I don't have F1 experience and I couldn't have done it in my first year. In two or three years, who knows? I had to respect Ron Dennis's decision to continue with Mika Hakkinen, who is very good, and I wasn't angry about it. It would have been the wrong decision.

Q: What about a McLaren testing role?
A: They wanted me to do it, but I'm a racing driver. That's what I told Ron.

Q: Has your name opened doors?
A: Yes, for sure. But when you go through them, you've got to deliver.

Q: What attracted you to Jordan?
A: They are a fast, upcoming team. For a driver like me, who is new to F1, it was the best solution.

Q: Has racing in Japan prepared you for F1?
A: Yes. The cars in the All Nippon championship are good and I think it was very important in helping to develop my speed.

Q: Why did you go there?
A: At first, I wanted to try and race Formula 3000 in Europe, but there was no budget for that. Michael and my manager, Willy Weber, thought I should do touring cars, but I said I wanted to go race F3000 in Japan. Willy was on my side but Michael wasn't. But it's all worked out okay in the end.

Q: How was your first test with Jordan?
A: Good. On the second day at Estoril, we did a 1min 22.6secs, which is just a couple of tenths away from the team's qualifying times for the Portuguese Grand Prix. The track conditions weren't perfect either, so I was pleased with that.

Q: How does the Jordan compare to the McLaren?
A: I expected it to be worse, but with my driving style, I actually prefer it. The engines feely very similar: the Peugeot is good but the Mercedes was very strong as well.

Q: Have you got a busy winter testing schedule?
A: I already have plans for November and December: two more runs at Estoril and we'll also go to Magny Cours and Jerez.

Q: Did you want Damon Hill as a partner?
A: Yes. I hoped for it. I was quite surprised that he signed for Arrows. It's a shame that he's not coming here, but it's good for Tom Walkinshaw.

Q: Why do you think he didn't sign?
A: I think it was a money decision, or maybe he doesn't like Schumachers! But I think he's going to have Pedro Diniz as his team-mate at Arrows, so that should be all right....

Q: Who will be your team-mate?
A: I don't know. Eddir Jordan doesn't have to do anything in a hurry and I think he'll take a late decision. It's always good to have experience in a line-up and I would be happy if Martin Brundle stayed.

Q: What do you want from your first season?
A: I'd prefer to try the new car with the smaller Peugeot engine before I answer that. But realistically I'm aiming to improve on Jordan's past performance.

Q: Michael made an immediate impact on F1. Can you?
A: I think things are different now. When Michael arrived there was Williams and then nothing. Now there's Williams, Benetton, Ferrari, and McLaren who are all competitive so it will be much more difficult to make an impression. Still, I hope I can.