Michael Schumacher denied Kerpen honour, brother outraged

Ralf Schumacher has criticised the decision by Kerpen's council to reject a proposal to grant honorary citizenship to his brother, seven-time Formula 1 world champion Michael Schumacher.

Michael and Ralf Schumacher were born in Hurth, but their deep connection to the nearby town of Kerpen is well known. The brothers launched their karting careers at the Kerpen circuit, where their father, Rolf Schumacher, worked as a manager.

Despite Michael's global fame and his efforts to support the local karting community, including keeping the circuit operational until its closure in 2020, the Kerpen council voted against awarding him the honorary title.

"This is typical of Germany and our politics," Ralf Schumacher wrote on Instagram, as quoted by RTL. "When you think about what my brother has done for Kerpen through his success, I am simply at a loss for words."

Reiner Ferling, chairman of the Michael Schumacher fan club, also expressed anger at the decision.

"The way Michael is treated as a person is disgusting. I'm really angry," Ferling said. "The city can't even bring itself to appoint someone as an honorary citizen who has won seven world championship titles for us?"

Ferling has petitioned for the recognition multiple times in the past but believes this rejection might end the efforts.

"After everything that has happened, I can no longer imagine that the Schumacher family even wants Michael to become an honorary citizen," he added.

In stark contrast, Michael Schumacher has received honorary citizenship elsewhere—Maranello in Italy recognised his contributions in 2006, and Spa in Belgium followed in 2019.

When asked about the decision, Kerpen council member Andreas Lipp told the Kolner Stadtanzeiger newspaper: "It currently makes no sense. We simply have other projects to work on."