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Source: IRS News
Date: March 7
Subject: Schumacher junior shines in the sunshine
He sat in the sunshine at the back of the Jordan motor home and smiled. He was surrounded by a mass of heaving reporters, thrusting tape-recorders into his face. But he was not bothered. 21-year-old Ralf Schumacher, younger brother of double world champion Michael, had just scorched into fifth-fastest time on his first day as a Grand Prix driver in the first free practice for the season-opening Australian Grand Prix. "Look, Eddie," said one reporter to his team boss Eddie Jordan. "That guy is going to be a star." "He is already," responded Jordan, the Irish owner of the Jordan team which, after six years in Formula One, is in dire need of a first victory.
Jordan also was smiling. "People kept telling me before the start of the season that there was not enough experience in my driver line-up," he said. "Well, they were right. Youth is faster, isn't it?" Ralf himself sat and enjoyed it all. A former German Formula Three championship contender and a winner of the Macau Formula Three race, he was enjoying making his mark in the big time. But at only 21, he was exhibiting remarkable coolness. "I slept perfectly last night, as usual," he said. "I was not nervous at all today. I just did my job as usual. I tried to improve myself and to learn the track and to make the car better...That was all."
As he spoke, the wide smile remained intact. Older brother Michael may have taken fastest time and top place for Ferrari, but he was not allowing that to interfer with his own satisfaction. "He is Mr Cool," said a German reporter. "He just cruises through life. He is going to be just as big a star as his brother. Maybe bigger." Jordan added more: "To achieve what he has today in his first session in Formula One, on his first visit to this track, it is an exceptional achievement. "But today is only practice. Tomorrow is qualifying and that is what really matters." Schumacher junior agreed. "Of course, I am pleased, but I have always tried to enjoy myself right from the start of my racing career. So, I am not nervous about anything like this." It was a day for the Germans. Michael Schumacher was quickest, just ahead of Heinz-Harald Frentzen in his first run with Williams. "But it was not a day to celebrate," said Schumacher. "Maybe we will do some of that on Sunday or Monday...I don't know. But I have learned a few things already and I am going to enjoy myself this year."
Older brother Michael warned of what lay ahead. "We have been on holiday for a few days before this race and he was not worried at all, he hardly mentioned this weekend. "With him that is normal...But I am sure he will have his bad days as well as his good ones."