Key takeaways
- Jet ski incident: Ralf Schumacher suffered a dislocated right shoulder and a small bone fracture after flipping a jet ski in Duisburg, Germany.
- Surgery required: The six-time F1 race winner will undergo minor corrective surgery, but joked he will simply hold his broadcast microphone with his left hand.
- Monza presence confirmed: Schumacher expects to fulfill his Sky Sports Germany duties at the upcoming Italian Grand Prix from September 4–6.
Former Formula 1 driver Ralf Schumacher will undergo surgery on his right shoulder following an accident during a jet ski competition in Duisburg, Germany.
Schumacher was competing in the “Jet Ski Star World Championship” alongside passenger Stefan Raab when their vessel capsized multiple times. While attempting to board the boat and reset his dislocated shoulder following a hard fall into the water, the injury worsened.
Subsequent medical evaluations revealed both a dislocation and a small bone fracture, necessitating minor surgical intervention. Despite the injury, Schumacher reassures fans that his role as an expert analyst for Sky Sports Germany at the upcoming Italian Grand Prix remains on track.
“First of all, many thanks to the team on site who popped my shoulder back in and pulled me out of the water. Everything happened incredibly fast. They took the first X-ray yesterday evening and followed up with an MRI this morning,” Schumacher shared on social media.
“It was just a shoulder dislocation, but unfortunately a piece of bone also broke, so I’ll need a small surgery. It should be quick, and I’ll still be able to be present in Monza. I’ll just need to hold the microphone with my left hand,” joked the six-time Grand Prix winner.
“It probably happened because of the cold. It takes a lot of skill to dislocate a shoulder while being pulled out of the water or capsizing a jet ski, but maybe I’m just getting too old for these things. Either way, the organization wasn’t at fault at all, and if they repeat the event, I’ll obviously be there.“
Schumacher’s F1 career spanned 11 consecutive seasons from 1997 to 2007, competing for Jordan, Williams, and Toyota across 180 Grands Prix, securing 6 victories, 6 pole positions, and 27 podiums.
This update lands amidst a busy F1 news cycle ahead of Monza, including McLaren celebrating Norris’s contract extension through 2030 and Toto Wolff reflecting on the 2021 World Championship outcome.
Formula 1 resumes action from September 4–6 at Monza for the Italian Grand Prix, the 13th round of the 2026 World Championship. GRANDE PRÊMIO provides complete live coverage across all sessions. Follow all updates on our news page.
World Championship Standings (Top 5 after Dutch GP)
| Pos | Driver | Team | Engine | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Andrea Kimi Antonelli | Mercedes | Mercedes | 242 |
| 2 | George Russell | Mercedes | Mercedes | 183 |
| 3 | Lewis Hamilton | Ferrari | Ferrari | 183 |
| 4 | Lando Norris | McLaren | Mercedes | 159 |
| 5 | Charles Leclerc | Ferrari | Ferrari | 155 |
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
1. What injury did Ralf Schumacher suffer in the jet ski accident?
Ralf Schumacher suffered a dislocated right shoulder along with a small bone fracture, which requires minor corrective surgery.
2. Will Ralf Schumacher miss the Italian Grand Prix at Monza?
No. Schumacher confirmed he expects to be present at Monza to fulfill his TV commentary role for Sky Sports Germany.
3. When is the next race on the 2026 Formula 1 calendar?
Formula 1 returns from September 4–6, 2026, for the Italian Grand Prix at Monza.
