Analysis: Ralf Can Unlock Michael's Title in France

Ralf Schumacher could hold the key to unlocking a record-equalling fifth Formula One title for older brother Michael in France in two weeks' time.

Michael has won seven of the ten Grands Prix so far this season and, after winning in Britain on Sunday, can oust Briton Nigel Mansell as the quickest champion if he triumphs again on July 21.

But his Ferrari team's awesome domination could keep the German's title celebrations on hold even if he wins at Magny-Cours for the second year in succession.

Schumacher is 54 points clear of Brazilian teammate Rubens Barrichello with seven races remaining and will be champion in France if he wins and Barrichello or Colombian Juan Pablo Montoya finish third or lower.

Ralf, Montoya's teammate and a winner in Malaysia, is 56 points behind Michael - and one behind the Colombian - and can give his brother a helping hand while also improving his own position.

Last year, the younger sibling started on pole in France and followed Michael's Ferrari across the line in a Schumacher one-two with Barrichello third.

If Schumacher wins the title with six rounds to spare in France, equalling Argentine Juan Manuel Fangio's five Championships, he will have needed only 64 percent of the season compared to Mansell's 68 percent.

Mansell won his title for Williams in 1992 at the Hungarian Grand Prix in August, the 11th round in what was then a 16-race Championship. The season now extends to 17 rounds.

Ferrari Joy

Barrichello won the European Grand Prix at the Nurburgring last month and came second at Silverstone on Sunday for Ferrari's fourth one-two finish of 2002. Another one-two for the most successful pairing in Ferrari's history would mean Schumacher having to wait at least until his home German Grand Prix at Hockenheim on July 28 for the title.

That would be no great hardship and the Ferrari celebrations could start anyway as another one-two in France will leave only Barrichello as Schumacher's mathematical rival - and the Brazilian is a clear number two.

But on two occasions this season - Brazil and Canada - Schumacher has won without Barrichello or Montoya following in the top two and that could well happen again. Sunday was Montoya's first finish in the last four races, despite claiming pole in all of them, and he has been second only three times this year.

Whatever the outcome in France, Schumacher was as usual refusing to be carried away by the ifs and maybes.

"He doesn't really have to think about it, he's got it in his pocket already," quipped Montoya, sitting alongside Schumacher when the German was asked about the Championship at Sunday's post-race news conference.

"Thank you. Wait and see," said the German.

Silverstone was as much about tyres as the weather, with Montoya the only Michelin runner in the points and Bridgestone winning the battle with embarrassing ease.

"It was purely down to when to put on what tyres," said Schumacher. "Naturally with the car we have, the package that we have, we are feeling comfortable," he said of France. "But then Magny-Cours is a very particular circuit where tyres, as we have seen, can play the opposite effect.

"Things will be a bit more tight, especially if we have very hot conditions which we should expect there."

In the rain at Silverstone, with the Bridgestone wets, Ferrari were on another plane - lapping several seconds faster than some of their rivals. Their supremacy was so clear-cut that Barrichello, who started at the back of the grid after stalling and carved his way back to second place in 19 laps, implied it was almost dangerous at times.

"I was lucky not to crash with people because the difference in terms of speed with some of our competitors is great," he said.

Williams can expect to be closer in France but few would bet against Schumacher popping the champagne.