Schumacher Expects Ralf to Help Montoya

Ferrari's Michael Schumacher is resigned to the idea of his younger brother Ralf helping Colombian Juan Pablo Montoya become World Champion at his expense.

"I think that's just his job," Michael said when asked at the Italian Grand Prix how he and Ralf would handle the psychological fallout of such a scenario.

"I would do exactly the same if I were in his position. He does his work for Williams, not for me," said Schumacher, whose dreams of a record sixth Championship are in danger of being shattered by Montoya or Finland's Kimi Raikkonen.

Ralf, recovering from a heavy crash in testing at Monza last week, is still a distant contender for the crown with three races remaining. But he is 14 points adrift of Michael while Montoya is just one point behind the Ferrari number one with McLaren's Raikkonen a point further back.

If he fails to claw back much of the deficit at Monza on Sunday, Ralf could find himself in a supporting role to Montoya for the last two races as Williams also chase the constructors' title.

Team orders, of the kind that caused huge controversy worldwide after last year's Austria Grand Prix when Ferrari told Brazilian Rubens Barrichello to move over to allow Schumacher to win, have now been banned.

But both Schumacher and Montoya said they were confused by the ruling and unsure of the difference between acceptable team tactics and illegal orders.

"I don't have a clue," said Montoya. "At the moment I am really focused on doing my job, if I want to win the Championship I have to beat everybody and that includes Ralf."

"I'm not really clear," said Michael Schumacher, questioning McLaren's tactics at the British Grand Prix when David Coulthard was passed easily by teammate Raikkonen.

The German has in the past benefited from teammates assisting him, moving over during races and not challenging him for position. Barrichello is 23 points behind him, while Raikkonen is 25 points clear of Coulthard.

"The last three races should be very exciting as the Championship is so open," said Barrichello, last year's winner at Monza in a Ferrari one-two.

"Unfortunately, I lost too many points in the last few races which is disappointing, but I will be going into the final part of the season hoping to help Ferrari win the constructors' title."

Asked whether he, Ralf and Coulthard would not be cast in a supporting role, he said: "All I can say is that I don't think there is anything our trio can do. The title contenders are all grown-ups and they can do it for themselves. Of course, I work for Ferrari and by helping my team I will probably be helping Michael too."