Williams concerned about Ralf

Frank Williams has said the team is a bit concerned about Ralf Schumacher and would like him to be quicker and assert himself more. Schumacher is under pressure from team mate Juan Pablo Montoya who has scored five pole positions in a row and while Williams believes a little pressure is no bad thing, Schumacher needs to rise to the challenge more.

"We'd like him (Schumacher) to be quicker, so you could say we're concerned," Williams told Motorsport News. "Some days he's brilliant, some days he can't put his hand on the button that makes the car perfect. It's quite obvious that he's under pressure form Juan Pablo. But that will spur him on."

"Personally I don't care who wins races, we're just desperate to win another one. I'd say he's presently in a bit of a dip. Ralf's performances are being coloured a bit by his equipment, but we need him to assert himself."

Montoya may have gained the positions but none of his pole starts have seen him win a race. Schumacher won in Malaysia, has been on the podium three times since (1 second, 2 thirds) and in the points three times other than podiums. Montoya has been on the podium five times (3 seconds, 2 thirds) and in the points three times. Both have had four non-points scoring races and Montoya is just two points ahead of Schumacher in the driver's standings.

Despite recent rumours, Montoya has yet to sign again for Williams next year. Schumacher is believed to be contracted until the end of 2004 and although Williams may be slightly worried, in terms of results there's not much between the German and Montoya. However, the Colombian has been a star in qualifying, which he seems to have mastered, and it's only a matter of time before the race results match.

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