Williams looking like title contenders

"You see, even a bad driver can win a race!" joked the younger Schumacher, poking fun at the media criticism he received for failing to attack his brother Michael more forcefully in Canada a fortnight ago.

Schumacher then paid tribute to the team: "We have taken an amazing step if you remember where we started from," he said. "I can't remember a team turning it around so much from the start of the season."

After three races at circuits well suited to the FW25 chassis-engine combination, many saw Nurburgring as an acid test of the true Williams potential for the remainder of the year. Michelin has played a significant role but it now looks as if both McLaren and Williams can give Ferrari a serious run for its money over the remainder of the season.

Juan Pablo Montoya said: "We are looking very good. I think the team has done a fantastic job. The last four races, since Austria, we have been very quick. I was leading at A1-Ring, we won Monaco, we were second and third in Canada and very strong, and now first and second here. The way it looks, we can probably keep the ball rolling to the end of the year."