Ralf Denies Giving Michael an Easy Ride

Ralf Schumacher denied giving elder brother Michael an easy ride after following the Formula One World Champion's Ferrari for lap after lap of the Canadian Grand Prix.

The Williams driver started on pole, led for the first 20 laps until his pitstop, and finished 0.784 of a second behind his brother, who was struggling with brake problems, without venturing an overtaking manoeuvre.

Team boss Frank Williams suggested that Ralf's Colombian teammate Juan Pablo Montoya, who finished third, might have tried harder to get past.

"I've got to be careful what I say, but possibly to probably Juan would have had a bigger go," he said. "But I'm not so sure that he could have got close enough to have a go."

Ralf told an earlier news conference that he had not taken it easy.

"I was never close to even try, that's why I didn't," the German said. "Maybe some might think again that I took it too easy but if there is no possibility I won't try it. There's eight points for the team and for me and for Juan as well so it was important for us to score points at the same time."

Ralf has been criticised in the past - notably after Brazil last year - for not attacking his brother, a five times World Champion, more on the track.