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It is April 20, 2003, Michael Schumacher wins the Formula 1 race in Imola. However, the victory is overshadowed by a stroke of fate for the world champion.
Imola – Blue, clear skies and summery temperatures on Easter Sunday, nothing stood in the way of a good Formula 1 race in Imola in 2003. Michael Schumacher grabbed pole position on Saturday, with his brother Ralf starting right behind him. However, you couldn’t see any joy on the Schumachers’ faces. On the contrary, Ralf and his wife Corinna appeared on the track completely in black on Sunday and for a very sad reason.
Born:3. January 1969, in HürthFormula 1 starts:307last team:Mercedes GP Petronas F1 TeamGreatest successes:Formula 1 world champion (1994 & 1995 Benetton, 2000 – 2004 Ferrari)
Imola 2003: After qualifying with the private jet to the mother’s hospital bed
After Michael and Ralf Schumacher qualified on the front row of the grid, neither of them felt like celebrating. Instead, they quickly packed their hand luggage and were taken to the airport. The two men flew to Cologne. They were then picked up there by their father Rolf, who drove straight to the hospital with his sons. The mother of the two racing drivers collapsed on April 10, 2003.
During an examination at the local hospital, the doctors discovered internal bleeding and transferred Elisabeth Schumacher directly to the university hospital. Even then, the two sons came straight from the race track to their mother’s sick bed. As the week went on she got worse and worse. On Friday, April 18, 2003, Elisabeth was put on a transplant list because, as doctors discovered, she suffered from cirrhosis of the liver.
After the race, Rubens Barrichello gave his teammate Michael Schumacher a hug. © IMAGO / Laci Perenyi
Mother’s death: The sons spent three hours at the sickbed
When Michael and Ralf Schumacher arrived at the hospital, their mother’s condition had already deteriorated significantly and she had been in an induced coma for days. The two brothers stayed there for three hours before flying back to Italy. On Sunday, April 20th, Elisabeth Schumacher died in the hospital. The International Automobile Federation FIA expressed its deepest sympathy: “In view of this fact, Michael and Ralf Schumacher are exempt from all formalities before and after the San Marino Grand Prix,” it said at the time.
This meant you didn’t have to go to a press conference or answer questions about the family situation. Other drivers spoke up at the time to talk about the situation and a possible start to the race. Niki Lauda said in an interview: “If you decide to start and sit in the racing car, then it works.” And that was also the case with Michael and Ralf Schumacher, because even under the tragic circumstances, the two of them decided to take part in the Grand Prix from Imola.
After the victory in Imola: Michael Schumacher is close to tears. © IMAGO / Laci Perenyi
Michael Schumacher: Perhaps the hardest Formula 1 victory of his career
Michael drove an almost flawless race and won in the end, for him it was his first win of the season in 2003 and the way to a new world title. Still, he had nothing to celebrate. Ralf also fought at the front at the beginning, but ended up fourth. The award ceremony moved Michael and he tried to hold back tears. At the press conference after the race he was represented by his team boss Jean Todt. For the seven-time world champion, April 20, 2003 was perhaps the hardest victory of his career, but according to Jean Todt, perhaps also the most important. (lhe)