Ralf Sets Sights on Drivers' Title

German Ralf Schumacher believes he and his Williams-BMW team can challenge the might of his brother Michael and World Champions Ferrari in a close title battle this year.

Ralf now trails his brother by just 15 points after winning the European Grand Prix at the Nurburgring last Sunday and is looking to score back-to-back wins with victory at this weekend's French Grand Prix.

"If you can do well on a circuit like the Nurburgring you should be able to do well elsewhere", said Schumacher. "Now I'm going to attack. I'm in great shape currently. Of course I will need some luck, but who knows?

"I'll try absolutely everything to achieve what seemed far beyond our reach only some weeks ago. We are strong enough now to call the Championship our new goal for season 2003."

Schumacher's Williams-BMW team have rocketed up the table in the last few races having scored almost half their points tally since Juan Pablo Montoya won the Monaco Grand Prix at the start of last month.

They started the year with a warning that their FW25 car was too slow and admitted they would be forced to play catch-up this season after poor performances in the opening races. But with help from their Michelin tyres, the ever-improving Williams team, who finished second in the World Championship last year, are now back in the Championship race.