Long-term aircraft management customer Ralf Schumacher has been so impressed by the service provided by Austrian operator Europ Star that he has bought a share in the company.

German racing driver Schumacher says: "In Formula 1, what counts is absolute professionalism and passion – requirements that have shaped my standards. This is why, almost six years ago, I trusted the professionals at Europ Star with the management of my jet.

"I have purchased a ten per cent stake in Europ Star with the option to expand my ownership share in the company. The reason for this step is easy to explain; the branch of business aviation has great potential, especially in the growing markets of Russia and Asia."

As a shareholder, Schumacher will be responsible for new customer relations and quality management.

"We are glad to have Ralf as a part of our team," says ceo Werner Welz. "He knows from his own experience how we work and has wide ties in business, sports and show business sectors – which is our core audience. Together we are ready to implement innovation solutions in management and quality standards which were previously used in F1."

Ralf is the youngest brother of the seven-time Formula 1 world champion Michael Schumacher, making his own debut in the Jordan team in 1997. Having moved to Williams he won his first F1 race in 2001 in Monte Carlo. He currently competes in the German Touring Car Masters competition.

Europe Star has a fleet of ten aircraft, and bases at Vienna, Moscow, Riga, Salzburg, Klagenfurt, Munich, Dresden, Milan and Trieste.