No Rift Between Montoya and Me, Says Ralf

Williams driver Ralf Schumacher has denied having any problems with new teammate Juan Pablo Montoya, despite speculation indicating the opposite since the 1999 CART champion entered the team.

Since Montoya joined the Williams team at the end of the year 2000, the rumours about a rift between the two young drivers have been constant, but Schumacher dismissed the reports, though he admitted that the Colombian will not be his friend.

"We have a normal relationship as teammates," said Schumacher today at the launch of the new Williams FW23. "But you can't expect us to have a friendship.

"Last year I got on well with Jenson Button at the circuits, but when I was away from the car and the track I spent my time with family and friends, which seems quite obvious to me.

"I think we haven't reached that stage yet and I think whenever we reach that step we are intelligent to avoid any problems. It happens between teammates sometimes but I'm sure it won't happen between us."

The German, younger brother of 2000 World Champion Michael Schumacher, also admitted that the Williams' goal for this season was to close the gap to Ferrari and McLaren, althought he did not discard a possible race win.

"I hope and think it will be possible to be closer," he added. "But for definite I can't tell you, because there are so many question marks. You can be sure that Ferrari and McLaren were not sleeping over the winter.

"Our first target is to stay where we are and, with a bit of luck, win a race. We're one year ahead of our plans anyway."

Montoya also dismissed any lasting rift between the pair, and said that he was looking forward to his debut season in Formula One.

"Ralf is a good guy and I don't have any problems with him," Montoya said. "He is a fast driver and it is going to be good because we can push each other. He will focus on his job and I'll focus on mine.

"I think one of the key points this season could be the fact we're on Michelin tyres. They (McLaren and Ferrari) don't have those tyres and so far the development of the tyres seem very fast.

"Maybe some races are going to be slow where we'll be destroyed and some will be fast. It is up to the drivers on Michelin to give them the best information possible."