Ralf Schumacher entered Formula One in 1997 with Jordan. He is the younger brother of Michael Schumacher, so he has had a lot to live up to when he made his debut. But Ralf Schumacher is a highly rated talent in his own right.

1997 was rather a mixed year for Ralf. He got his first podium finish in his third ever Grand Prix but, he had taken out his own his teammate; Giancarlo Fisichella to get there. From there he got a reputation as a ‘crasher’ because of not only taking his teammate out, he had retired from five Grand Prixs because of accidents.

In 1998 he got a new teammate, former World Champion, Damon Hill. In the early part of the 1998 season Ralf continued to have silly accidents. But in the latter part of the season he matured as a driver. Ralf finished second behind this teammate at the Belgium Grand Prix. The maturity that Ralf had show in 1998 was enough to catch the eye of Frank Williams.

In 1999 Ralf was driving for Williams. He had an impressive season and put his new teammate, CART Champion, Alessandro Zanardi to shame as he failed to score a single point, where as Ralf collected 35 points.

In 2000 Williams got a new engine supplier BMW. Ralf also, got a new teammate, Jenson Button. Ralf had three podium finishes; he also finished a strong fifth in the Championship.

In 2001, Ralfs life a Williams suddenly stared to become a little harder because, of the arrival of Juan Pablo Montoya. Montoya instantly declared war on Ralf. Tensions at BMW Williams were high. But, Ralf had the edge over Montoya on the track. Ralf finally won his maiden victory at the San Marino Grand Prix, he then when on to win the Canadian Grand Prix and his home Grand Prix. While Montoya only managed to win the Italian Grand Prix. Ralf ended the season finishing fourth in the Championship.

In 2002 Ralf wanted to build on what he had achieved in the pervious year but he only managed to win the Malaysian Grand Prix. The Ferraris were simply too strong.

In 2003 it was a season of two halves for him. From the season opener to the Austrian Grand Prix Williams, were having an appalling season. But at the Monaco Grand Prix, Williams season started going the right way for them, with Montoya winning the Monaco Grand Prix. But, Ralf didn’t let Montoya take all the glory. He won back-to-back victories at the European and French Grand Prixs.

But Ralfs season tuck a turn for the worst at the German Grand Prix, he was accused of causing a multi-car pile up on the first lap but the FIA cleared him. From there it got even worst, during a test season for the Italian Grand Prix, the suspension of his Williams broke causing him to crashed heavily, after the crash he fell unconscious. He had to withdraw from the Italian Grand Prix because headaches caused from the crash.

In 2004 he had another bad season. When it finally seamed as if his luck was changing at the Canadian Grand Prix, he was disqualified from seconded place through no fault of his own. The following week at Indianapolis he had a death defying accident. He had broken his back in the accident and he had to sit out for six Grand Prixs. While he was on the sick bench he announced that he was going to drive for Toyota in 2005. He returned for the last three Grand Prixs of the season and took second place at the Japanese Grand Prix.

In 2005 at his new team; Toyota he seams more comfortably and relaxed. He has been frequently in the points.