Ferrari Still the Team to Beat, Says Ralf

German Ralf Schumacher believes Ferrari will still be the team to beat in 2004 after both Williams and the Italian squad tested their new cars for the first time on the same track on Tuesday.

Schumacher's Williams lapped faster than brother Michael's Ferrari at a freezing Imola. The final test before the season starts with the Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne on March 7 was hampered by rain and occasional snow flurries that limited running time at the Italian circuit.

Ralf's best lap in the Williams FW26 of 1:21.869 compared to the 1:21.923 clocked by six times World Champion Michael in the Ferrari F2004. The Williams driver said the conditions made it hard to judge the pace of the cars.

"With these conditions, how can one understand what is the potential of the cars? It's impossible. Anyway, I haven't even looked at the F2004. But Ferrari remain the team to beat," said Schumacher.

"We'll see about McLaren in the next few days, but there's something I already know: they'll be quick. I won't talk about Renault, while the BAR has always been very fast; we'll have to see whether they will still be during the GP weekends.

"I honestly think that they could fight for victory at some Grands Prix, but I don't think they can fight for the Championship."

Ralf said his chances of fighting for the title are better than a year ago.

"It's one week until the start [of the season], and I can say we are in a very good position," Schumacher told Gazzetta dello Sport. "Better than we've ever been so far: we are firmly convinced we have a package that should allow us to aim for victories right from the first few races of the season.

"Last year I tried to take the title away from my brother, but I'm particularly confident this year: I really think that our chances are better this year than twelve months ago."