Delighted Ralf Hits Back at Critics

German Ralf Schumacher hit back at Formula One's so-called experts today and ironically claimed "even a bad driver can win" following his success at the European Grand Prix at the Nurburgring.

Schumacher, who will celebrate his 28th birthday on Monday, scored his first win since March 2002 after benefitting from the retirement of race leader Kimi Raikkonen, of the McLaren-Mercedes team.

The Williams-BMW driver had been heavily criticised after failing to challenge brother Michael in the Canadian Grand Prix two weeks ago, but he hit back at his doubters in leading teammate Juan Pablo Montoya home.

"It has been a long time," said Schumacher, who last won in last year's Malaysian Grand Prix. "I've had a couple of pole positions but I couldn't turn them into victory. I got a bit of criticism but, you see, even a bad driver can win a race.

"It's down to the experts, those who call themselves experts after the race. This was far more important. For the team, we took an amazing step, if you remember where we started (the season). I can't remember a team turning it around so much from the start of the season. Again, it's amazing what a job the team has done this year."

Schumacher made a good start from third on the grid to pass brother Michael's Ferrari and he never looked back despite being initially left to trail Raikkonen before the Finn's retirement from the lead. He admitted winning in front of his home fans was a special experience with the result helping Williams to move into second place in the Constructors' Championship.

"I simply had a good start," he added. "For whatever reason he didn't and that's why I took the chance. I don't know, maybe it looked more spectacular from the outside than it actually was. It's great to win in front of the home crowd, especially here or in Hockenheim, obviously, but even here the crowd was amazing today.

"The reception for all of us, and then being one and two for Williams again is really good for the Constructors' Championship at the same time."