Twenty-six years ago, on 17 May, Ralf Schumacher launched a bizarre attack on his brother’s Ferrari team-mate, Rubens Barrichello.
The Brazilian driver had only just arrived at Maranello from Stewart for the 2000 F1 season, joining a team built entirely around Michael Schumacher’s championship ambitions.
He was widely expected to play a supporting role, but publicly insisted he was free to race the German as an equal. That stance clearly irritated the younger Schumacher brother.
Speaking just days after Barrichello had pulled off a stunning double overtake on both Schumachers at the Spanish Grand Prix, Ralf took aim at the Ferrari driver in extraordinary fashion.
“Rubens should stop trying to beat my brother and putting pressure on himself,” Ralf said. “[He should] concentrate instead on helping Michael win the championship.”
The comments were remarkable, not least because they came from a rival driver rather than anyone within the Ferrari organisation. Ralf was effectively telling Barrichello to abandon his competitive instincts and submit to a number-two role.
Barrichello was having none of it, dismissing the outburst as sour grapes, putting Ralf’s behaviour down to the overtaking manoeuvre he had executed on him in the previous race at Barcelona.
On lap 50, as Michael defended hard against his brother into the La Caixa hairpin, both lost momentum. Barrichello swept past them both in one decisive move, claiming the final podium spot whilst Ralf was left fourth. It was a moment of brilliance that clearly stung.
Michael went on to win the 2000 F1 drivers’ championship, his first with Ferrari, clinching the title at Suzuka after a dominant end to the season.
Whether Barrichello’s early-season defiance helped or hindered that success remains a matter of debate.
Check out Barrichello’s stunning overtake on the Schumacher brothers below!
