Schumacher undergoes shoulder surgery after jet ski crash ahead of Italian Grand Prix – Ralf Schumacher will undergo a minor operation after dislocating his shoulder and suffering a small bone fracture in a jet ski accident, but the former Formula 1 driver expects to return to Sky’s coverage of the Italian Grand Prix next weekend.
The 51-year-old Formula 1 expert was injured while competing in the team challenge at the Jetski Star World Championships alongside German television host Stefan Raab.
Schumacher and Raab reached the final before crashing from their jet skis after taking a right-hand turn. Despite the accident, Schumacher said he had “a ton of fun” during the event.
The former Jordan, Williams and Toyota driver subsequently revealed that the injury was more serious than initially expected, with a dislocated shoulder accompanied by a piece of bone breaking off.
“Unfortunately, a piece of bone also broke off,” Schumacher reported after the accident. “Therefore, a minor operation, but it will be over quickly. Then I should be back in Monza. I just have to hold my microphone with my left hand.”
Schumacher expects to be back for Italian Grand Prix
Schumacher’s injury comes just days before the Formula 1 paddock heads to Monza for the Italian Grand Prix, which takes place from September 4 to 6.
The former F1 race winner currently works as a television expert for Sky, meaning his planned return would allow him to resume his punditry duties despite the shoulder operation.
Schumacher appeared to take the incident in good spirits, even joking about the unusual circumstances in which he sustained the injury.
“How someone can dislocate their shoulder while pulling themselves out of the water and turning the jet ski around, that’s quite an achievement. But maybe I’m just too old for this nonsense. The organizer can’t be blamed for that.”
Despite the injury, Schumacher added that he would gladly take part in the event again.
Former F1 driver thanks medical team
In a video message following the accident, Schumacher also praised the medical team that treated him at the venue.
The former Formula 1 driver specifically thanked the “entire team on site” and those “who popped my shoulder back into place and pulled me out of the water. That was super fast – thank you so much!”
His comments underline how quickly the initial treatment was carried out after the crash.
Schumacher’s injury occurred away from the Formula 1 environment, but the timing means his recovery will be closely watched because of his regular role alongside Sky’s Grand Prix coverage.
Schumacher enjoyed successful Formula 1 career
Schumacher raced in Formula 1 from 1997 until 2007, making his debut with Jordan before later driving for Williams and Toyota.
The German enjoyed the most successful period of his career with Williams, winning six Grands Prix in total. He finished fourth in the Drivers’ Championship in both 2001 and 2002, establishing himself as one of the leading drivers outside the championship-winning battles of that era.
After leaving Formula 1, Schumacher continued his racing career in the DTM between 2008 and 2012.
He subsequently moved into television work and has been a Formula 1 pundit for Sky since 2019.
For now, Schumacher’s focus is on recovering from the shoulder injury and completing his scheduled operation. If his recovery proceeds as expected, he intends to be back in the paddock for the Italian Grand Prix at Monza.Reddit comment option
Ralf Schumacher dislocating his shoulder while trying to turn a jet ski around is one of those injuries that sounds made up until you remember motorsport people will apparently find a way to get injured doing absolutely anything. At least he’s taking it in good humour — and hopefully the recovery is as quick as he expects.
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