First Child Will Not Slow Ralf Down

Ralf Schumacher believes the birth of his first child will not put the brakes on his chances of becoming Formula One World Champion next season.

"Perhaps one day I'll find myself in a situation where I would rather brake, but at the moment, I would say no," the BMW-Williams driver told Reuters on Wednesday.

Only time will tell whether baby David - born only last week - will follow in Ralf and World Champion brother Michael's footsteps and join the motor racing fold.

"First he has to learn how to walk," said the proud father, adding: "Perhaps he'll learn a proper job."

Ralf, who won three races in 2001, helping the Williams team to finish third overall in the constructors' standings, said he had high hopes for the next season. He saw himself, teammate Juan Pablo Montoya, Ferrari-driving brother Michael and McLaren-Mercedes' David Coulthard as favourites, but added that other teams like Renault could not be underestimated.

Asked whether he could imagine teaming up with his brother, Ralf said it would probably be better for the two highly competitive drivers to stay in separate teams.

"On the one hand, I'd like to do it. On the other hand, one of us would always lose and that wouldn't do any good."