Interview: Ralf Schumacher Warns Against F1 Novices

Ralf Schumacher has warned against inexperienced drivers entering Formula One too soon.

"You have to fix a limit," the Williams driver said hours after the International Automobile Federation (FIA) decided to grant a licence to novice Kimi Raikkonen.

The 21-year-old Finn, who will now partner German Nick Heidfeld at Sauber, comes straight from Formula Renault and has only competed in 23 races to date.

"I'm not saying anything against Raikkonen personally but there are rules that you must respect," Schumacher told Reuters on Friday.

"In my opinion you should not go directly from Formula Renault into Formula One.

"To become a Formula One driver you have to go through at least one Formula Three season if not one in Formula 3000," added Schumacher, who was only 21 when he started in the elite class but had won the Japanese Formula Nippon title the previous year.

"Those Formulas are the schools for Formula One and if you don't need to go through them anymore, they might disappear. It wouldn't be a good thing because that's where you learn the job."

Another topic on the FIA agenda at a meeting in Monaco was traction control, a controversial device which reduces wheelspin but also curbs skill, according to Ferrari's Rubens Barrichello.

"I am totally in favour of it because it's fair," said Schumacher. "Obviously teams like Ferrari are against it because they have other sophisticated devices which mean they don't need it. Now everybody will have it, even small teams who cannot invest as much as Ferrari. That's good."

No Problem

Schumacher was talking after his first meeting with new team mate Juan Pablo Montoya. The Colombian replaced Jenson Button, now with Benetton.

The pair did some testing together this week in Jerez, Spain.

"We spoke a bit and got on well," said Schumacher, who said publicly earlier that he would rather have continued with Button. "He seems a nice guy.

"I had a great time with Jenson and I have a lot of respect for him but I have no problem with the fact that Montoya has joined."

The duel between Schumacher and Montoya, faster than the German at Jerez, promises to be one of the highlights of the new season.

"I didn't look at the times," said Schumacher. "But I know what to expect. There's no number one at Williams. Whoever is the fastest will be the number one."

The goal for BMW-Williams this season, Schumacher said, would be to finish in the top three of the world constructors' championship again after finishing third this year.

"We want to establish ourselves as one of the top-three teams, if not the top two," he said.

"Personally, I wouldn't mind being in the top three (of the drivers' championship) but better than top five might be difficult," added the younger brother of world champion Michael Schumacher, who was fifth this year.

Waiting

Schumacher, who made his Formula One debut for Jordan in 1997, said he was tired of waiting for his first win.

"I've been waiting for four years and that's a long time," he said. "Of course a win would be great but I can't say whether it will come. I certainly hope so."

If he cannot win, will he consider joining another team?

"Maybe. But first of all I've got two more years with Williams which I'm definitely looking forward to."

The quiet, taciturn Schumacher needed all those years to counter his nicknames such as Little Schumi or Bonsai Schumacher.

"I have never had a problem in being Michael's brother," said Ralf, now widely regarded as one of the most competitive drivers in the field.

"He is my brother and I love him. But being always compared to him was a bit annoying."

As for being discreet, that will not change. "I just can't show off my underwear," he said. "Others do it, that's fine, but it's not me."

Schumacher also said he would never live in Germany again. "It's just too hectic and there's too much stress. People are also jealous of those who have success.

"I will always return with pleasure but I'll never go back to live there again."

Will he stay in Monaco then? "I don't know. It's convenient but it's a flat with a lift and no garden.

"Maybe southern France. That would be nice."