Montoya Plays Down Schumacher's Chances

Michael Schumacher's chances of taking a first victory of the season in Sunday's Brazilian Grand Prix are not very great, according to Colombian rival Juan Pablo Montoya.

The Ferrari World Champion has yet to stand on the podium in two races this year and Montoya said on Wednesday that he expected Schumacher to have a hard time at Interlagos despite winning there four times in the past, including 2002.

"He has chances but I don't think the chances of him winning here in Brazil are very big," the Williams driver told a news conference at Sao Paulo's Granja Viana go-kart track before putting in a few laps.

"From what we've seen in the first two races, the Michelin tyres are working much better than the Bridgestones and I think they can give us a bit of an advantage on this circuit.

"Michael won last year but Ralf (Schumacher) and I were both much faster than him. So on that basis... I don't think they (Ferrari) will be that fast."

McLaren, who use the same Michelin tyres as Williams, won the first two races with Briton David Coulthard in Australia and Finland's Kimi Raikkonen in Malaysia.

Ferrari, who use Bridgestone, have had only one podium finish so far after winning 15 of last year's 17 races, with Brazilian Rubens Barrichello second in Malaysia.

Barrichello has a terrible record at home however, retiring from his last eight Brazilian Grands Prix.

Williams Improving

Ferrari are using their old F2002 in Brazil, with the new F2003-GA expected to be given its race debut at the first European race at Imola on April 20th.

Montoya expected the new car to give the Champions a boost but probably not a dramatic one.

The Colombian, who started on pole at Interlagos last year and led in 2001 before a collision with Dutchman Jos Verstappen ended his race, said the new Williams was also improving.

"We have good hopes. With everything that we have done to the car, Ralf was very quick in the tests in Barcelona. There is a lot of potential.

"This car and Williams are competitive enough to fight for the Championship. It gives us something to fight for wins with," he said.

Williams are expected to run a more effective front wing and rear suspension at Interlagos after struggling in pre-season testing with aerodynamic problems.

Montoya will also be wearing a new helmet, which he showed off on Wednesday, designed by a 16-year-old schoolgirl who won a competition in Colombia.

The girl and an 11-year-old boy who won the younger age category, will be Montoya's guests at Interlagos - a race he considers the closest thing to a home Grand Prix.

The helmet will be auctioned for charity after the race.