Ralf: Blame Ferrari, Not Michael

Sections of the German media have used Ferrari's disappointing start to the season as the justification for openly ridiculing seven-times champion Schumacher, with Bild comparing him to a snail and tabloid BZ re-naming him Schlappmacher - which roughly translates into 'breaking down'.

That campaign has angered Toyota driver Ralf Schumacher - who is adamant that every bit of blame for Ferrari's current form has to go to the team and not to their drivers.

"I find it tough to swallow how much criticism Michael has to endure," Schumacher told Bild Am Sonntag. "It is undisputed that his employer Ferrari have not done a good enough job during the last couple of months.

"So Ferrari have to take the blame. I think that Michael is not responsible for their poor results. I pity him since he is the wrong man to accuse. As far as I know my brother, he aches to go out there and prove everyone wrong."

Schumacher, whose Toyota team recently celebrated their first Formula One podium in the Malaysian Grand Prix, believes that he has already seen enough this season to believe that Ferrari will not be able to re-capture the World Championship this year, even with the team's new F2005 being drafted into action earlier than originally planned.

"They had no choice in my opinion," said Schumacher about Ferrari's decision to bring in the new car for Bahrain. "After the results of the F2004M, they had to act. But I cannot see Ferrari winning the World Championship again. Renault is much more than only a tough opponent."