Ralf Schumacher's Emotional First Visit to Ferrari's Maranello Shrine

Ralf Schumacher recently visited Maranello, Ferrari's hallowed ground, for the first time before the Italian Grand Prix. It's the birthplace of the iconic red cars and a place where drivers, especially Michael Schumacher, became legends. His impressions, as detailed in the "Backstage Boxengasse" podcast, offer a unique glimpse into the enduring legacy there.The visit was particularly poignant for Ralf, as Maranello is inextricably linked to his brother Michael's legendary Formula 1 career. He noted, "I know a few teams, but this was very special." He was especially struck by the unique atmosphere: "It was beautiful to see everything around, how Maranello lives. Ferrari and its standing in Italy are unique; I haven't experienced anything like it before."### Michael Schumacher's Enduring LegacyFor Ralf, the visit to the famous Restaurant Montana, where "Mamma Rossella" has cooked for Ferrari drivers for decades and became a surrogate mother to Michael, was profoundly moving. Ralf stated, "That's a special place. Impressive pictures, helmet collections, memorabilia – this emotional side of Rossella was something very special. It made me realize again what Michael initiated at Ferrari and what he left behind. Even in the museum, how proud they are of Michael and how much he is part of the family became even more apparent."### The Ferrari Museum ExperienceMichael Schumacher's successes are vividly showcased at the Ferrari Museum, which houses his five championship-winning Ferrari cars. Ralf was astounded by the museum's popularity: "Over 650,000 visitors annually, the museum is open daily except for Christmas/New Year, as the museum director told me. That's impressive."He added, "When you enter the Hall of Fame and see how your own brother shaped that era and will continue to shape it for a long time, that's special." He felt the lasting impression Michael left on people: "The museum director said, 'Not every driver has that; he was family.'"### A Taste of Michael's FavoritesRalf also delved into his brother's culinary world at Montana, where requests for Michael's favorite dishes are still common. Mamma Rossella often serves tagliatelle with meat ragout. Ralf revealed, "Even the current drivers want to know what Michael ate and then choose that." For Ralf, the visit was almost "a piece of home," reminding him of his early karting days.