Michael Schumacher keeping an eye on Williams

2001 was Ferrari's year, with Michael taking eleven pole positions and nine wins - the man who came closest in the number of wins was Ralf, with three. In recent years Ferrari and McLaren have been the "big two" that the other teams strive to reach ...

2001 was Ferrari's year, with Michael taking eleven pole positions and nine wins - the man who came closest in the number of wins was Ralf, with three. In recent years Ferrari and McLaren have been the "big two" that the other teams strive to reach and in 2001 Williams were up there fighting it out.

Asked if Williams would be a challenge next year, Michael said; "Definitely, yes. I am even surer about Ralf, even if the last races didn't show it all that much. I believe, that after the world championship was decided, which happened in Hungary, he subconsciously relaxed and had only 99 percent motivation left."

Press conference: Michael Schumacher and Ralf Schumacher. Photo by Brousseau Photo.

Schumacher believes that the threat will come more from Ralf rather than Juan Pablo Montoya, saying that many other drivers have had great first seasons and then faded away.

"To me there are sufficient other drivers in Formula One, who have shown exactly the same actions as Montoya. I remember Alexander Wurz, who overtook Heinz-Harald Frentzen on the outside in Brazil. Currently, Montoya is 'in', he did a good job, particularly towards the end of the season. But how consistent is he? Seen over the year, it was pretty much up and down, with a strong upward tendency towards the end. But who knows, if it doesn't turn downward at times."

Both Ralf and Montoya had some fine performances in 2001 and Williams will undoubtedly be a serious contender in 2002.