Ralf Ready to Help Montoya in Title Bid

Ralf Schumacher has said that he is ready to help his Williams-BMW teammate Juan Pablo Montoya fight for this year's world title if he drops out of the running himself.

Montoya is now leading the Williams charge, with just a six-point gap to Ferrari's Michael Schumacher. Ralf has dropped to 18 points behind his elder brother after failing to score in the last two races.

Williams technical chief Patrick Head had admitted that once one of their drivers is mathematically out of contention he will be asked to help the other in their fight for the world title.

"I am an employee of BMW-Williams so if such a situation arose I would help my teammate - even if my heart perhaps wants a Schumacher to win the title," said Ralf. "But Formula One is not a ride in the park and Michael knows that too.

"There is a lot of money involved and if there is a chance for my team to be World Champions I will give my all."

Montoya, who won the German Grand Prix last weekend, is on a roll and has finished on the podium in every one of the last six races while Schumacher has struggled to perform in recent events. Ralf looked set to be the man to challenge his brother for the title after his two victories in the European and French Grands Prix but has gone off the boil in the last two races.

But he still insists he is in with a chance of the title and told German daily Bild: "I have not given up on the World Championship. After the bad luck I have had I now have to look on the bright side. I still have hope."