Ralf Schumacher Downplays Brother's Success

Williams driver Ralf Schumacher believes his brother's success at winning the World Championship with Ferrari for the third year in a row is being overestimated and the German has said it takes more than just a good driver to win a World Championship in Formula One today.

"Some people who try to identify what [Michael] is doing don't really know what he is doing," Ralf said in Barcelona, where he has been testing the FW25 today. "F1 these days is so complex, how should one individual do the job that requires 600 people to do? It's impossible. At the end of the day to always blame the driver and say 'we need a Michael Schumacher to win' is an easy excuse.

"What Michael has achieved in his career is outstanding, and it's not with luck that he has achieved it: it was with great patience, great work but also with a great team."

The young Schumacher, about to begin his seventh season in Formula One - his fourth with Williams - also stated he himself could win the Championship if given the right support and time.

"There are four or five drivers in Formula One who are able to win the Championship with the right package," he said. "I pretend to be one of [those] who are really close, and there is no magic about it.

"Look at Mika Hakkinen: he stepped into the McLaren when it was down there, even behind Jordan, and he made it into a winning team and won two titles, so it's possible but it takes time."

Nevertheless, Ralf suggested his team will not necessarily be favourites for the title this season.

"This is our fourth year with BMW, and Michael took five seasons to get his first Championship title with Ferrari," the German said.

"Looking at last year, it is only Ferrari that can beat themselves with an unreliable engine or package."