Williams Wish Ralf Well in the Future

The Williams team chiefs extended best wishes to their driver Ralf Schumacher, upon the announcement today that the German will be leaving the team next year for Toyota.

"Ralf has made a steadfast contribution to the team over the past five years, with some truly spectacular high points," team owner Frank Williams commented in a team statement. "We fully respect his decision to pursue his future career with another team, and we wish him well in his new endeavours."

Mario Theissen, BMW's Motorsport Director, added: "Continuity is of course a factor for success in the fast business of Formula One. This is also true for the driver line-up. But, by the end of 2004, Ralf Schumacher will have been at WilliamsF1 for six years. It is therefore quite normal for a driver to think about a change.

"Following long and intensive negotiations between Frank Williams and Ralf Schumacher, both sides have decided not to renew the contract for the period after 2004. If both sides seek a new challenge, it should understandably be taken. We were kept informed about the negotiations throughout."

Williams will have both drivers leaving next season, as Juan Pablo Montoya will be moving to McLaren. Jaguar's Mark Webber is widely regarded as one of the drivers to sign up for Williams next year, but the second driver remains unknown - sparking speculations ranging from a return of World Champion Jacques Villeneuve to Formula One, to the signing of Giancarlo Fisichella or Nick Heidfeld.

Williams said, however, they were in no hurry to make a decision on their line up.