Analysis: Ralf's Title Hopes Grow as Williams Dominate

Germany's Ralf Schumacher allowed himself to dream on Sunday of dethroning the older brother who has won five Formula One crowns.

Sitting alongside Ferrari's Michael at a news conference after leading the French Grand Prix from pole to chequered flag, the younger sibling savoured his second win for Williams in the space of eight days. He recognised that he was better placed than at any time in his Grand Prix career to wrest the Championship from his brother.

"Certainly every driver who joins Formula One would love to win the title one day," said Ralf. "I am waiting very long for that and am aware of the situation that it might be possible this year. But it is still so far away."

Just 11 points separate the German brothers with six races remaining. Ralf is third, three points behind McLaren's young Finn Kimi Raikkonen. Williams' Colombian Juan Pablo Montoya is fourth and six points behind Ralf. Williams are three points behind Ferrari in the constructors' standings.

"Since the points are so different this year, the gaps are a lot smaller and it became more difficult. Let's wait and see what the next races are doing and then continue talking about it, maybe," Ralf said.

He said Williams, with three wins in four races, could keep on winning.

"I think if the two of us, including the team, keep working like that we can keep it going," he said. "There will be circuits where it's going to be tough again but certainly we are going in the right direction.

"In Formula One you can never be confident. I think we are doing a very good job all together at the moment...but you never know...all of a sudden they could make a big step. It might look good at the moment but it can all change around."

Michael, who finished third in France after a fifth place at the Nurburgring last weekend, said Ralf was a clear Championship rival.

"Yes, he's capable of it. I see no reason speaking against him being considered a favourite for the Championship. The performance and consistency show that he simply belongs there."

For the first time, Ralf won from pole position even if, as in his previous five victories, he had a clear run to the chequered flag without having to overtake anyone in anger once away from the grid.

"Ralf drove a brilliant race today, true textbook style, not putting a foot wrong," said Williams' chief operations engineer Sam Michael.

"The second consecutive one-two is simply unbelievable if you think about how weak we were at the start of the season," said BMW motorsport director Mario Theissen. "The way we dominated the race from first to last lap was stunning."