Formula 1

Williams better than Ferrari claims Ralf

A double non-finish at the Japanese Grand Prix put paid to Williams' chances of taking the constructors' title, but Ralf Schumacher believes the team is already better than Ferrari. Schumacher's own hopes for the drivers' title came to an end when ...

Published: Oct 21, 2003, 5:10 PM

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A double non-finish at the Japanese Grand Prix put paid to Williams' chances of taking the constructors' title, but Ralf Schumacher believes the team is already better than Ferrari. Schumacher's own hopes for the drivers' title came to an end when he was forced to miss the Italian GP after a testing crash but the German is already confident for next year.

Ralf Schumacher.

Photo by Brousseau Photo.

"It is said that a team can only beat Ferrari if the team is on the same level at the end of the season before," Schumacher told the BMW website. "I claim that we are already better than Ferrari. A good omen for 2004."

Ralf praised the team for its work on the FW25 throughout the year: "The successful development of a winner's car as it was done by our team is probably unique in Formula One, because it happened within one season," he said.

"The entire team deserves extra praise. With it, the foundations are laid for next year. Be sure, BMW, Williams as well as Michelin will each further develop their parts to maintain our competitiveness."

Recently there were some changes agreed for the race weekend format for 2004; Friday qualifying has been scrapped and two qualifying sessions will take place on the Saturday instead. Schumacher liked this year's format but acknowledges it maybe wasn't that good for the fans.

"I liked the rule changes," he remarked of the 2003 way of doing things. "I had great fun in the qualifying, but I don't know if it was the same for the spectators. To see only one car on the track is probably not really enjoyable, however, they are to change it for next year."

There has been some speculation about Schumacher's future with Williams but while he concedes there is some fine tuning to be done in regard to his contract, he isn't worried about next year. "Some details have yet to be discussed," he said. "I think time isn't running short. My contract only expires at the end of the season 2004."

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