Schumachers play down Monaco rift

Michael and Ralf Schumacher have called a truce in their war of words.

Ralf Schumacher accused his brother of “crazy” driving after a last-gasp manoeuvre in the Monaco Grand Prix two weeks ago but today the pair put on a united front to quell a growing rift in the family.

Prior to this weekend’s European Grand Prix at the Nurburgring, world champion Michael Schumacher said: “Honestly, I think we are both highly competitive racing drivers.

“We fight on the circuit in our interests, for our teams. But at no moment do you forget it’s your brother and you love your brother.

“At the end of the day it doesn’t really matter, it’s your brother and it’s your blood. If you know us two, you know it’s rubbish.”

Ralf, however, refused to back down from his criticism and admitted the pair disagreed over the last-lap incident which saw Michael attempt to pass the Toyota through the tiniest of gaps.

He said: “You have an opinion, it’s nothing to do with being emotional or anything. It has nothing to do with a family war or brotherly war – it’s just a different opinion.

“Whether it would have been Michael or anyone else I would have had a different opinion to a competitor.

“We had a few chats, that’s the way it is. In racing situations sometimes you see things a different way.

“We all fight for position – sometimes people think it’s a bit tough, too tough.

“Don’t forget, we are all sensible at the end of the day, nobody wants to hurt another driver but at the same time you have to fight for position for your team.

“It’s a decision you have to take within a couple of tenths of a second so it might not be the right one.”

Michael Schumacher also had to deal with criticism from Ferrari team-mate Rubens Barrichello in the aftermath of an eventful Monaco Grand Prix.

The Brazilian was upset that Schumacher overtook on the last lap, risking an accident which could have put both cars out, but the German was unrepentant.

He added: “It’s racing. I think if you see the situation in general, you have a race, you are tired and you have emotions.

“When you think about it and see that race you might think differently. I spoke to him on Monday because it was his birthday and he was relaxed. He’s Brazilian so he’s more temperamental.”

Ralf Schumacher hopes to cap the mood of reconciliation by claiming a strong result for Toyota just a few miles from the Schumachers’ home town of Kerpen.

He added: “I’s always great to perform well in front of a home crowd. We have both grown up here and I am really looking forward to this weekend.

“There is a really good chance to score some good and important points and maybe more.”