Enjoy it While it Lasts, Michael Tells Ralf

Michael Schumacher has warned little brother Ralf that his Formula One bubble could be about to burst.

Ralf has won the last two races for Williams, turning the screw on Michael as the Ferrari driver's bid for a record sixth World Championship has slowed, and wants more in Sunday's British Grand Prix.

But Michael, speaking to reporters at a rainswept Silverstone, suggested that the weekend could dampen his brother's hopes.

"I'm pretty optimistic that we can fight again for victories from now on," said Schumacher, who leads McLaren's Kimi Raikkonen by eight points and Ralf by 11 with six races remaining. Williams are three points behind Ferrari in the constructors' standings.

"I think they (Ralf and Williams) are very strong. Luckily they are 11 points behind but I have seen many seasons and I sort of feel that if you analyse a season, you have your highs and lows," added Schumacher.

"I think they are absolutely at a high and we are probably not so much on a high on our side. And I think we can turn it around again."

Schumacher led Ferrari teammate Rubens Barrichello in a one-two at Silverstone last year and also won in Spain this season at a circuit that shares some of the characteristics of the British venue. If the German takes his fifth win of the year on Sunday it will be his 50th for Ferrari.

Michael played down suggestions that the close nature of this year's title battle, after a year of extraordinary Ferrari domination, was all down to tyre technology.

"If you look at the season so far it has always been Williams and McLaren very close to each other, especially in the last races," he said. "In the last race, we still beat the McLaren team who are running on other tyres to us and we didn't beat Williams. So I think success or not having success does not come from a single factor.

"We have to work in every department. We have done and I think we have done very well," he added. "Now we have to see if it is good enough."

Whatever happens on Sunday, Schumacher hoped that his closest rival would be Ralf.

"It's a good situation," he said. "Imagine the two of us fighting for the Championship, only a Schumacher can win. That's great, isn't it?."