Ralf Schumacher will undergo shoulder surgery after crashing during Stefan Raab’s celebrity jet ski world championship in Duisburg on Saturday.
The former Formula 1 driver was injured during the team competition after partnering with television entertainer Stefan Raab. Schumacher was driving the jet ski, with Raab seated behind him, when the pair crashed at a buoy.
Both men initially climbed back onto the jet ski, but Schumacher accelerated before Raab had fully regained his position. The celebrity duo fell into the water for a second time, initially prompting laughter from the crowd.
Schumacher’s condition appeared more serious when he tried to climb back onto the jet ski.
“My shoulder was dislocated when I tried to turn the jet ski around so quickly,” Schumacher explained during the live broadcast on RTL+.
Photo by: Kym Illman / Getty Images
Raab said he did not immediately realise how serious the injury was.
“At first I thought nothing had happened, and then the jet ski kept going,” he said. “I was like, ‘Ralf, what’s wrong?’ He said he’d dislocated his shoulder. Then I quickly started waving for help.”
The accident ended the Schumacher-Raab team’s involvement in the competition. Schumacher had earlier reached the grand final of the individual Speed Duel, where he was beaten by German circus performer and Ninja Warrior athlete Rene Casselly.
Although the current Sky pundit was competing outside his usual environment, his speed remained evident. He ultimately missed out on the event’s golden inflatable ring but won the sympathy of the crowd.
“It almost happened the first time as well,” Schumacher said. “I hope nothing is broken. Thank God. A huge thank you to the team who got me out of there so quickly. And thanks to the doctor who put my shoulder back in place.
“It’s not exactly pleasant, I have to admit. But at the moment I’m OK.”
Schumacher posted a video on Instagram on Sunday morning, again thanking the medical team and the hospital in Duisburg.
“team on site who put my shoulder back in and pulled me out of the water. It all happened incredibly quickly, so thank you very much. And a huge thank you to BG Klinikum Duisburg as well.”
Photo by: Alexander Trienitz
Schumacher underwent an X-ray late on Saturday evening and an MRI scan on Sunday morning. The tests showed that the shoulder dislocation had also caused a bone fracture.
“It was only a shoulder dislocation, or a dislocated shoulder, but unfortunately a piece of bone broke off as well,” Schumacher said.
The six-time grand prix winner will therefore require “a small operation”. Despite the injury, he expects to work as a Sky Germany pundit at the Italian Grand Prix in Monza.
“The operation will be over quickly and then I should be back in Monza as well,” he said. “I only have to hold my microphone with my left hand!”
Schumacher said he had no regrets about taking part in the celebrity jet ski event.
“It was an amazing event and a lot of fun. […] If they do it again, I’ll definitely be there. It was a great event. Sorry we couldn’t win the team competition like that. But next time we’ll definitely be better.”
Photo by: Red Bull Content Pool
Schumacher joked that he still could not understand how the accident had caused such a serious injury.
“Pulling it out of the water, turning the jet ski around and dislocating your shoulder in the process – you’ve got to manage that first,” he joked. “But maybe I’m simply too old for this crap.”
He also defended the event organisers.
“In any case, the organiser is absolutely not at fault.”
