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Motorsports
April 21, 2003
IMOLA, Italy -- Michael Schumacher knew this day would have meant so much to his mother: Ferrari fans lining the track as he won a Formula One race.
But this day was one of mourning for Schumacher and his brother, Ralf.
Wearing a black armband over his red racing suit, Michael Schumacher won Sunday's San Marino Grand Prix just hours after his mother's death. Ralf was fourth.
"My mother loved to be at the track," Schumacher said in a statement. "She loved it when we drove go-carts on the old track at home. She would have wanted to see us race today."
Unlike during normal postrace jubilation, there was no champagne, and F1 excused Schumacher from news conferences after the race.
Kimi Raikkonen of McLaren Mercedes was second, followed by Rubens Barrichello of Ferrari.
"I don't know if I would have been able to take part in a race under the same conditions," Barrichello said. "He's a great person and absolutely deserved to win."
Team director Jean Todt said Ferrari did not force Schumacher to compete.
"It was his decision to race," Todt said. "Ferrari would never push him to drive the car here."
Elizabeth Schumacher, 55, had been in a hospital since April 10 in her hometown of Cologne, Germany. She reportedly fell in her home, sustained internal injuries and had surgery.
The Schumacher brothers finished 1-2 in qualifying Saturday, then flew to Cologne for a brief visit with their mother. They returned Saturday night and she died Sunday morning.
Michael Schumacher took the lead from Ralf on Lap 17 and led the rest of the way except during pit stops.