Ralf warns of Williams team orders

Schumacher Jr is concerned that if he and team mate Juan Pablo Montoya are left to fight it out in 2002, it could jeopardise the team's chances of taking the fight to Ferrari and McLaren for the world championship.

"There are only two possibilities," said Schumacher. "We will either look very good, or we will look very stupid if we end up taking each other off. One of the two will occur, most likely the second.

"Juan Pablo is a very strong driver and he takes any opportunity to overtake. So far it hasn't been a problem, but it could turn out to be if two guys in one team both go hard for the title."

The Williams squad has scored four victories so far this year, three for Schumacher and just one for Montoya, and it has proved to be an increasing thorn in the sides of Ferrari and McLaren. Despite playing down suggestions that it is ready to be a championship contender, the team is expected to be in a position to fight for the title.

Schumacher has taken almost double the points tally of Montoya this season, but his team mate has gathered momentum within the team at recent Grands Prix and after taking his maiden win and three poles in the last five races, there is little to choose between them.

Before next year however, the Grove-based team is looking to end its season on a high at this weekend's Japanese Grand Prix and overcome its recent reliability problems, the most recent of which cost Montoya a possible win at Indianapolis two weeks ago.

According to Schumacher however, a bad result in Suzuka could be what the team needs to give it a shake-up before the winter.

"It would be nice to have a good result before the winter," he said. "But if it doesn't happen, it might motivate people to work even harder."

For more on Schumacher Jr's views on team orders at Williams and an exclusive Ralf interview, see this week's AUTOSPORT (October 11 issue).