How Michael Schumacher's tragic accident changed his brother Ralf

Michael Schumacher's tragic accident has left a huge mark on his entire family, but there is one family member who has changed so visibly since the life-changing events of 2013. We're talking about his brother Ralf.

Michael, a record-matching seven time Formula 1 World Champion, suffered a life changing head injury after a skiing accident in 2013. Since then, his family has been tasked with caring the F1 superstar, whose condition remains a mystery to the public.

The Schumacher brothers were very close as children. In an interview with Sport1, Ralf Schumacher (photo) said that the two had a good childhood and spent a lot of time together.

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Ralf, who is six years younger than his more famous big brother Michael, was also a successful German Formula 1 racing driver.

Although Ralf Schumacher couldn't outdo his older brother, he won six of the 180 Grand Prix races in which he competed between 1997 and 2007.

The brothers' passion for racing was awakened by their experiences at the go-kart track where their father was initially employed in Kerpen and which he then leased himself.

Michael Schumacher's tragic accident was devastating for his brother. Now a Formula 1 driver reports how much Ralf Schumacher has changed since then...

Former racing driver Johnny Herbert (photo), who was a teammate of Michael Schumacher, told Grosvenor Sport that Ralf had grown up.

Because Ralf had to take care of many family matters after Michael Schumacher's accident, he became a different person, says Herbert.

Herbert said that Ralf Schumacher was a much more settled and responsible person. During his active racing days, the younger Schumacher brother was obnoxious, Herbert said in an interview with Dutch CasinoSite.

One area in which the public was made aware of just how much Ralf had changed his lifestyle was when the former F1 driver came out as gay in July 2024 – so far the only openly gay Formula 1 driver in history – showing a level of comfortability with himself that he previously was unable to share.

Ralf also spoke to German outlet Bunte in 2023 about his relationship with his nephew and niece, saying: “When I see his [Michael’s] kids, Gina-Maria and Mick, my heart smiles. If anyone in the family seeks my advice, I’m there. They’re making their way.”

It all points to a man who has really had to put his life in perspective over the last decade as he deals with a heartbreaking family tragedy.

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