Michael in the dark over brother's wedding.

Michael Schumacher has admitted that he was unaware of brother Ralf's plans to marry before the Japanese Grand Prix, claiming that the first he knew of it was in a telephone call from the bridegroom!

According to Schumacher Sr, he was heading home from three hard days of testing at Fiorano when Ralf called him, confirming that the private ceremony was intended to be just that so the happy couple could escape the inevitable glare of publicity the event was sure to generate.

"I knew nothing about it," Michael admitted, "Ralf was on the 'phone, and just said 'You can congratulate me, I'm married'.

"Of course, Corinna and I are very happy for them both. It's marvellous. The best thing about it is that they managed to get married quietly, just as they had planned, just the two of them on their own. I am very happy for both of them."

Ralf and wife Cora will have no time for a honeymoon in the next week or so, as he completes the Formula One season at Suzuka in the Japanese Grand Prix. However, the venue has been the scene of some riotous celebrations in the past - not least last year when Michael won the championship - and the notorious Log Cabin could be rocking to the sound of Schumacher music again in 2001.