Planet-F1

Ralf: I knew my F1 career was over

Friday 22nd February 2008

Ralf Schumacher admits he never had any plans to race in Formula One this season despite claiming last year that he would definitely be in the sport.

Following his announcement last season that he would be quitting Toyota, Ralf continuously told the media that he would be in Formula One in 2008.

The German even took part in a test with Force India in his bid to find a race-seat.

However, Ralf has now admitted that the Force India test was never an audition for a drive nor did he even plan on being in F1 this year. In fact that only reason Ralf claimed he would be is because he wanted to leave the sport on a quiet note.

"I did make those comments, but the situation never changed for me," Ralf told Autosport.

"I just said that (I would remain in F1) because there were a lot of people talking, and the situation was difficult at Toyota, so I just wanted to finish the season in peace."

As for the Force India test, he said: "I did test over the winter, but that was just something for a friend.

"I did not really look at it as an option for this year. It may be the case that they can do something good over the next few years, but it was not something I considered."

Ralf will continue in motosport this season after signing a one-year deal to race for Mercedes in the DTM series.