On the heels of Michael Schumacher's announced return to Formula 1 with Mercedes, speculation is building that his younger brother Ralf Schumacher – currently a DTM series touring car driver for Mercedes – could also be set to return to grand prix racing next season.
Ralf, a six-time GP race winner who lost his Toyota seat at the end of 2007, has been linked with several teams, including Toro Rosso, Sauber and Renault, and also claimed last week that he had turned down an offer from one of the sport's new teams. Red Bull's junior team is currently thought to be the most likely spot for the younger Schumacher, having declined to confirm Jaime Alguersuari's place alongside Sebastien Buemi for 2010.
Toro Rosso's team principal Franz Tost worked with Ralf Schumacher at Williams, and also served as his business manager earlier in his career. "Franz Tost and I are very good friends," Schumacher admitted to Germany's SID news agency when asked about his F1 prospects. "But it should be understood that I am not going to name any teams. It is all speculation."