Ralf steals big brother’s thunder with sizzling display

GERMAN Ralf Schumacher upstaged brother Michael on home soil here at Hockenheim yesterday when he finished fastest in first qualifying for the German Grand Prix.

Schumacher, who failed to receive the big airhorn welcome reserved for his world champion brother, led a Williams one-two at the Hockenheim circuit as their Michelin tyres excelled in the hot conditions.

His time of 1min 14.427secs beat Colombian team-mate Juan Pablo Montoya’s lap by 0.246 secs as Michelin runners filled the top seven positions and Michael finished ninth in his Bridgestone-shod Ferrari.