Ralf Schumacher expressed frustration after Kerpen refused honorary citizenship to his brother Michael, calling it “typical of German politics.”
Ralf criticized a political decision to deny his famous brother Michael honorary citizenship of a city synonymous with his career.
The Schumacher brothers were born in Hürth, but their personal connection to the nearby city of Kerpen is well known. It was there they began their karting careers, and their father, Rolf Schumacher, managed the local track.
Moreover, after achieving worldwide fame as a seven-time world champion, Michael Schumacher and his family supported the Kerpen karting community and helped keep the circuit operational until its closure in 2020.
Nevertheless, Kerpen’s city council voted against a motion to grant Michael Schumacher, now 55 and still recovering from brain injuries, honorary citizenship of the city.
“That’s typical of Germany and our politics,” said Ralf Schumacher.
“When you think about what my brother has done for Kerpen through his success, I simply have no words.”
Michael Schumacher’s fan club president, Reiner Ferling, agreed: “The way Michael is treated as a person is disgusting. I’m really angry.”
“The city can’t even bring itself to name as an honorary citizen someone who won seven world championship titles for us?”
This is not the first time Ferling has called for the honor, but it may be the last.
“After everything that’s happened, I can no longer imagine the Schumacher family even wanting Michael to become an honorary citizen.”
By contrast, Maranello in Italy and Spa in Belgium made Schumacher an honorary citizen in 2006 and 2019, respectively.
When asked why the motion was rejected, Kerpen city council member Andreas Lipp stated: “It currently makes no sense.”
“We simply have other projects to focus on.”
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Ralf frustrated by Kerpen’s snub of Michael Schumacher Ralf frustrated by Kerpen’s snub of Michael Schumacher
