Sports
Michael Schumacher’s Relative angrily left show because of secret ‘Schumi clause’
Michael Schumacher’s Relative angrily left show because of secret ‘Schumi clause’
Rumours are swirling that the sudden departure from a reality TV show in Germany was connected with Formula 1 legend Michael Schumacher.
Cora Schumacher, the ex-wife of Michael’s brother Ralf, was briefly on the German version of the well known show ‘I’m a celebrity – Get me out of here!’
Called ‘Ich bin ein Star – Holt mich hier raus!’ in Germany, the program is broadcast on RTL, the former F1 broadcaster that has just done a deal with Sky to broadcast several grands prix live in 2024.
So when Schumacher suddenly departed the show, rumours suggested producers and executives were concerned that she would reveal on air secrets about the health condition of the seven time world champion.
Bild newspaper reports: “We know that RTL is afraid of whispers about tpics that are not intended for the ears of the RTL audience.
“It’s about a mysterious Schumi clause,” the newspaper added.
The clause is reportedly a gentleman’s agreement between RTL executives and the family of stricken F1 legend Michael Schumacher about broadcasting any information about his condition in the wake of his 2013 brain injuries.
Michael Schumacher’s Relative angrily left show because of secret ‘Schumi clause’
Earlier, Cora’s ex-husband Ralf doubted she would say anything inappropriate on the show.
“I think that she wants to find her own topics and won’t, for example, take up our shared past,” he said.
As for RTL, producers have clarified that she chose to leave the show because of her “cough”.
Cora Schumacher, the ex-wife of Ralf Schumacher, has left the German version of I’m a Celebrity Get Me Out of Here.
And reports say she was given the boot by TV bosses who were worried she’d discuss Michael Schumacher and his current health status.
Schumacher is one of the best F1 racers of all time, having won a stunning seven titles during his prime years in the sport.
READ: “Don’t Feel the Desire to Remain Active in F1”: Lewis Hamilton Makes Big Retirement Statement Despite Having Two More Years Contract Left
He has lived the last decade shrouded in secrecy, however, following a tragic skiing accident in the French Alps back in December 2013.
Little is known about the stricken star these days, though it has been claimed he’s set to attend his daughter’s wedding later in the year.
And BILD say Cora Schumacher was given the boot by I’m a Celebrity bosses amid fears she’d blab about his condition.
The report says the Schumacher family had a ‘gentleman’s agreement’ with RTL that they wouldn’t go digging into the 55-year-old’s health.
Yet producers were nervous with Cora described as being ‘too talkative’ during her stint on TV.
TV bosses are able to edit clips before they go out to the general public.
However, they were reportedly fearful of Cora letting slip any details about Schumacher’s health if they were to broadcast live.
Cora did have the blessing of the family to appear on the programme, with Ralf previously backing the decision.
“I think that she wants to find her own topic with the jungle camp and won’t, for example, take up our shared past,” said the 48-year-old.
“After all, it was all a long time ago.”
However, Cora lasted just a few days before leaving the series.
A statement says she had been suffering from illness prior to her exit.
“Cora suffers from a severe cough and decides that she no longer feels healthily fit for the jungle adventure,” it read.
“We wish her all the best!”
And Cora was heard moaning about the smoke while sat round a campfire during the show.
“I want to go home. I cannot stand this anymore,” she emotionally said.
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A former Ferrari engineer has criticised the decision to bring in Lewis Hamilton and thinks the Brit’s presence will mean “a lot of potential for drama”.
At the age of 40, seven-time Formula 1 champion Hamilton will form a formidable driver partnership with Charles Leclerc. His big switch comes at the expense of Carlos Sainz, who has performed well for the Italian squad but who was axed so they had room for their blockbuster new signing.
But not everyone of a Ferrari persuasion is convinced that it will go well. Ernest Knoors, who spent many years as an engineer at Maranello, specialising in power units, worries that Hamilton’s presence could do more harm than good for a team that is finding its groove under Frederic Vasseur.
“A big name like Hamilton also brings a lot of politics and if politics within Ferrari are not managed well, then there is a lot of potential for drama,” he told Formule1.nl. “Hamilton has the tendency that if things do not work out, he turns his whole car upside down and starts experimenting.
“Ferrari believes very much in the big personalities and will follow him. But Hamilton is just someone you have to guide a little bit and not give the freedom to rebuild the whole car, because then it will go completely wrong. So I do not know if it is such a smart move, but of course it is nice for the sport.”
News of Hamilton’s planned move broke on February 1, coinciding with football’s Transfer Deadline Day. That the back pages of many newspapers were dominated by the decision of Hamilton to swap Mercedes for Ferrari was testament to the magnitude of the announcement.
Sainz was not surprised as he had been informed by his team of the plan ahead of it being made public. But the Spaniard responded well with two victories to date this season and five further appearances on the podium, on the way to what looks likely to be a fifth-placed finish in the championship – two spots and 54 points ahead of Hamilton.
Sainz has signed for Williams next year and, after several years of running at the front of the grid, will focus on his new challenge of helping restore one of the grid’s most historic teams to its former glory. But Knoors believes he should have been kept on by Ferrari instead.
The Dutchman added: “I see Lewis Hamilton’s arrival at Ferrari more as a PR move. With all due respect, Hamilton is not going to take that Ferrari from P6 to P1. He will get the most out of it, but what Ferrari has to do is make that car faster. And if you make that car faster, you can easily drive at the front with the current line-up.
“Besides, as a team you have to look further on the horizon. If Hamilton becomes champion in the coming years, he and Ferrari will become immortal. But if you want to build a team with talent for the next five years, are you going to build on Hamilton? No, because he will really be finished after two or three years. That is why I would have kept the very strong line-up that Ferrari has now.”
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Chase Elliott had a front-row seat for one of NASCAR’s most bizarre moments of the 2024 Cup Series season. At the start of Stage 2, the pace car dove onto pit road in front of Elliott; however, it was a tad too late. The pace car made contact with the sand barrels at the entry of pit road and caused a red flag for cleanup.
Initially, there was some speculation on the NBC Sports broadcast, even from the No. 9 team, that Elliott made contact with the pace car. Fortunately, the pace car didn’t slide across the No. 9 car’s nose, but it undoubtedly provided one of NASCAR’s craziest red flag moments in recent memory.
Below, you can listen to Elliott and the No. 9 team react to the pace car crashing into the sand barrels on pit road at Phoenix during Championship Weekend!
Reflecting on the recent retirement of 2017 NASCAR Cup Series champion Martin Truex Jr., Earnhardt didn’t mince words about the toll NASCAR takes on its drivers. Speaking candidly, the two-time Daytona 500 winner admitted that the pressure to perform every week left him feeling miserable for most of his racing career—a sentiment he believes is shared by many of his peers.
“Right or wrong, racing made me a miserable person 90% of the time,” Earnhardt confessed. “And him too. I mean, ask Kyle Busch, ask anybody—unless you’re winning, you’re not happy.”
For these elite drivers, the sport is a relentless grind. A podium finish might bring temporary relief, but anything short of victory is often a source of frustration. The immense effort poured into preparation and execution rarely feels like it pays off unless the checkered flag is theirs.
Earnhardt highlighted the mental toll of falling short, explaining how the relentless focus on winning can overshadow the joy of simply competing. Even a solid performance feels hollow compared to the euphoria of a win.
“Unless you’re winning, you’re not happy at all,” he said. “You’re okay with a good run, but for the most part, all the effort it takes just to run good—it doesn’t weigh out.”
For drivers, the stakes are sky-high every week. Sponsors, fans, and teams demand nothing less than excellence, leaving little room for error or personal satisfaction in anything less than a dominant performance.
Earnhardt also shared insights into his friendship with Martin Truex Jr., who recently announced his retirement. While the two often spend time hunting together during NASCAR’s off-season, Earnhardt noted that the stress of racing even creeps into their leisure activities.
“When I’m with him during hunting season, it’s always in the back of his mind,” Earnhardt said. “It’s that stressful part of the year when he’s as miserable as he’s going to be.”
Now, with Truex stepping away from the track, Earnhardt looks forward to seeing a lighter, happier version of his long-time friend. Without the weight of weekly competition hanging over him, Truex might finally be able to relax and enjoy the outdoor lifestyle he cherishes.
“It’ll be fun to see him loosen up,” Earnhardt added.
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