Ralf Schumacher ups his game

Ralf Schumacher thinks that although the upcoming season will be important to BMW Williams, as there is a lot pressure on them to do well, for himself it is not a critical year. But he admits that he needs to improve his performances from the latter half of last season when he seemed to lose momentum and team mate Juan Pablo Montoya was Williams' shining star.

“ It's a very important year for the team, because people are expecting a lot of us - maybe too much. But why should it be more critical than any other year for me? I don't think about it much.” He said.

Asked if he would be upping his game this year he replied:“ I hope so. I have to, don't I? Basically, I know that when everything is right I can win races. That is what I proved three times last year, and that's what I'm concentrating on this year.”

Schumacher may have a long term contract with Williams but with Heinz Harald Frentzen being abruptly sacked last year and Jos Verstappen losing his seat at Arrows despite having signed a contract, it seems that is no longer any guarantee.

Sir Frank Williams recently said that there could be a place for Jenson Button with Williams next year -- Schumacher and Montoya will be striving to prove their worth this season.