Berger Predicts Tough Battle to Fend Off McLaren

BMW motorsport director Gerhard Berger claimed on Sunday that the Williams team are closing the gap on Ferrari but admitted their target is still to hold off McLaren for second in the manufacturers' championship.

BMW-Williams drivers Juan Pablo Montoya and Ralf Schumacher came home second and third respectively behind German Grand Prix winner Michael Schumacher at Hockenheim on Sunday.

But despite closing the gap in terms of time deficit on Ferrari, Berger insisted that the team's immediate goal is to hold off McLaren for second position in the Constructors' standings behind the dominant Ferrari team.

"It is a good result for us especially because we are much closer to the winner this time," Berger said. "That is very good for us because in the last few races we have been very strong in qualifying but in the race conditions we've been far away.

"So it is a good improvement great result. But I still think there is a long way to go. Today Michael was ten seconds ahead but I still think he has a good advantage.

"But this year our goal is to finish second in the Championship and I think today we cam a bit closer to it, but I think it is still going to be difficult to stay ahead of McLaren and that is our first goal this year."

Williams are currently 27 points ahead of McLaren in the standings. Former driver Berger, who won twice on the old Hockenheim circuit, also gave his approval to the new heavily modified track which debuted this year.

"I have to remember the old track, it had a big tradition and I succeeded twice and I loved it," he said. "But I have to say when I went round this circuit it is great, it has good run-off areas and it is challenging. It is just a modern circuit."