F 1 is bigger than any individual: Ralf Schumacher

Mumbai, Mar 21 (UNI) Ralf Schumacher, the brother of Formula 1 legend Michaelsc, believes that the sport is too big to miss individuals.

The 31-year-old German, who will be racing for the Toyota team this year, which is his 11th on the Formula One circuit, was speaking to the media after unveiling the Toyota's Formula 1 car for the season here last night.

India's Kingfisher Airlines, which has entered into a multi-year partnership with the F1 team, brought the event home and conducted it in its signature style -- late and large, complete with red disco lights, the sounds of an F1 car revving up and, of course, the Kingfisher air hostesses.

A life-size replica of the car sat in a big metal dome that turned around to show the mechanical wonder, minus the engine.

Dressed in the team's red and white shirt, Schumacher had to make way through a huddle of photographers to get to the stage before he could get into the car for another plumb photo-op.

When it came to answering questions, most of which were concerned about his more-successful brother, the German was crisp and candid.

''I have been racing with him for almost all my life,'' Ralf said, adding, ''It is a bit strange feeling for me not to race with him any more. I do kind of miss him, not on the track though.'' ''But the paddock didn't look any different without him. You've to understand that F1 is so big that you don't miss individuals. Of course, he won seven championships but no driver can be bigger than the sport. Kimi (Raikkonen) has taken his place and won the first race with Ferrari, so it's moved on,'' the F 1 driver said.

Predictably, Ralf picked up champion Fernando Alonso and the Ferrari-powered Kimi Raikkonen as title favourites for this season.

He said he would have to be patient with the Toyota team before tasting success.

''The budget of all the teams are more or less similar,'' said Schumacher, who won his last Grand Prix in 2003 at Magny-Cours.

''But we are fighting with teams that have around 30 years of experience in racing. The F1 car is so sophisticated, it takes some patience and we have to level or top that kind of expertise. You can't buy experience in F1,'' he said.

He picked up a point in the first race of the season in Melbourne, beating teammate Jarno Trulli to the eighth position.

Ralf, who has been compared with his legendary champion brother Michael almost all his life, said the comparisons and expectations haven't been fair.

''Well, Michael has been the best driver and comparisons have always been there. But they are not always fair. I've raced for a long time, I am in my 11th year now. I haven't been as successful as I had wished after I started out, but I've had a good time. The partnership with Toyota is promising and I am still motivated to race,'' he said.

UNI