Ralf improving says Theissen

BMW motorsport director Dr Mario Theissen believes Ralf Schumacher has driven better this year and is improving steadily. Ralf and Williams team mate Juan Pablo Montoya are currently battling for second in the Driver's championship along with Ferrari's Rubens Barrichello. Montoya is just two points ahead of Ralf and Theissen thinks the pair are evenly matched, despite Montoya's more aggressive style.

"A driver who is willing to learn improves steadily. This is also the case with Ralf," Theissen said. "In many ways does Ralf drive less spectacular than Juan Pablo Montoya. But that does not mean that his is the wrong way. In the results, both are level. In the past two years, Ralf has actually been driving stronger in the first half of the season, than in the final half. I could not witness this in 2002."

The statistics show that the two Williams drivers are indeed a close match. Both have scored points in ten races this year; Montoya has been on the podium seven times, Ralf six. They have outqualified each other a level 7-7, although Montoya has the better record with 6 pole positions -- but the Colombian has yet to score a win, whereas Ralf has one victory this year. Montoya has scored four second places to Ralf's one.

Much has been made of the differences between the two, both on track and off. While Montoya was on a roll mid-season, Ralf seemed to slack off; until boss Frank Williams publicly said he need to pull his socks up. Ralf duly obliged and has bettered Montoya in the last couple of races. Time will tell if the pair remain as closely matched next season.

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