Ralf wants title before Michael retires

Ralf Schumacher wants to win the world championship before brother Michael retires, just to prove that he can. The younger Schumacher thinks the title will be worth more to win it against Michael rather than after he retires and it would put to rest ...

Ralf Schumacher wants to win the world championship before brother Michael retires, just to prove that he can. The younger Schumacher thinks the title will be worth more to win it against Michael rather than after he retires and it would put to rest the critics' opinion that Ralf cannot compete against his brother.

Ralf Schumacher.

Photo by BMW PressClub.

"I have to win the world championship while my brother Michael is still driving," Ralf told Bild. "Then I wouldn't have it said all the time that the only reason why I won the world championship was because my brother didn't race anymore. The title is worth more if you win it against and not after Michael."

Ralf has been criticized in the past for not fighting as hard against, or being good enough to beat, Michael. Schumacher Jr. has won four GPs, however, so he certainly is able to beat his older brother but some say he will always be judged against five-time champion Michael and be found lacking.

Ralf finished the season opener in Melbourne in eighth place after trouble in a pit stop and being hampered by a spin in the changeable weather conditions. He was pleased for Williams that team mate Juan Pablo Montoya made it on to the podium but more work is needed: "However, something is clear, we have a lot of work ahead of us as the new Ferrari is going to arrive shortly as well as the new McLaren." He commented.

Williams is preparing a new aerodynamic package and bodywork for the FW25 for the Malaysian GP. The wind tunnel at team headquarters in Grove, UK, is being modified as it's thought that the accuracy of data from the existing wind tunnel was off kilter, as both last year and this year's chassis have not performed as expected.