Michael Schumacher interview

Q: Which one?
MS: Floh. He barks between seven and eight in the morning which makes us leap out of bed. Afterwards there's breakfast. I like to eat muslie. Then we take the dog for a walk or I do some fitness-training. In the afternoon we spend our time together and watch TV.

Q: In the evening you go out for dinner or to the cinema?
MS: No. We watch video. We don't like to go out . It's no fun.

Q: Because you always get recognized?
MS: Yes.

Q: Why don't you put on a wig or something?
MS: I already tried that. Something heavy-metal like. And sunglasses. But it didn't work. I went to the gas-station and when I left the guy at the counter said:"Bye, Mr. Schumacher."

Q: How did he recognize you?
MS: Probably my well-pronounced chin did it.

Q: Do you find yourself attractive?
MS: I think groupies like me because I'm successful and not because I'm handsome.

Q: I'm not interested in what groupies think. What do you think?
MS: I don't find myself good looking. Designer jeans usually don't fit me. And my chin is much too pronounced.

Q: Hopefully your child won't inherit it...
MS: I hope she takes after my wife.

Q: Let's talk about your young brother Ralf. He seems to have decided to enter F1 in 1997 and this against your will.
MS: Right. In my opinion it wouldn't have done him any harm if he would have waited a year longer. This doesn't mean that he can't drive fast enough. I mean he's only 21. At 22 he would have been more mature.

Q: Why didn't he listen to you?
MS: My brother wants it all and as soon as possible.

Q: What do you have in common besides being able to drive fast.
MS: Not much.I am the one who can compromise. Ralf is too stubborn and difficult. But he's very kind - he'd do anything for anyone.

Q: Ralph told us that you are the wild one.
MS: Right. I'm able to let myself go more easily-have more fun.

Q: Your brother is negotiating with Jordan and McLaren. Can you imagine to be in the same team with your brother?
MS: Yes. Later on.

Q: Getting into motorsports is very expensive. Some of the pilots even have to put money into it. Do you help your brother financially?
MS: I never had to. He did it all on his own. That's because he's good.

Q: And because his name is Schumacher?
MS: On the contrary. A lot of people are sceptical about that. Like with Michael Graf. He only started in Opel-Lotus or in F3 because he's the brother of Steffi Graf and not because he was such a good driver. The name helps, I think. Probably it did for Ralf too. But he's the one who made those sharp times.

Q: You are a millionare many times over. How many bank-accounts do you have?
MS: Good question. I don't know myself.

Q: You're lying!
MS: No!

Q: Do you take care of all that money yourself?
MS: Yes. I decide what happens with it and what for.

Q: What do you do with it?
MS: I'm rather conservative with it. I put it in the bank and watch it grow.

Q: Your manager Willi Weber says that you're a bit stingy.
MS: I don't throw it out of the windows, that's true. But stingy is an exaggeration. I'd never enter a casino. Because you always loose there. I got a private jet but that enables me to win some private time. My expenditures have to be meaningful. Maybe Willi thinks differently about that.

Q: I don't believe you.
MS: Why not?

Q: You collect watches like he does. Your favourite watch is a Omega Speedmaster Professional Chronograph. It's made out of platinum and there's only one of it. It costs 60 000 mark.
MS: You sure did your homework. But they just made a cheaper one. The Omega Speedmaster Racing. For 2 000 mark.

Q: Enough PR- talk. You live abroad and you're going to move to Switzerland. Is it because of the taxes?
MS: German taxation is crazy and complicated. Yes, it was one of the reasons I went to live abroad. I save a lot of money by living in Switzerland. I don't deny it.

 German magazine - Gala - 12th of September 1996