Ralf's as good as Michael, says Sir Frank
Canadian Grand Prix winner Ralf Schumacher is every bit as good as his big brother, triple world champion Michael, according to his team boss Sir Frank Williams
Schumacher scorched to a second victory in four races in the sweltering heat of Montreal, adding to his debut win at Imola two months ago. And Williams believes the 25-year-old German ranks with the best in the pit lane after he beat his older sibling in a straight fight.
"In my opinion he is up there with Michael and (Mika) Hakkinen," said Williams, who has employed some of the world's greatest drivers, including Ayrton Senna, Alain Prost and Nigel Mansell, and does not easily give out compliments.
The Williams-BMW racer came out on top after going toe to toe with his brother for 69 laps. Knowing his car had an advantage over the Ferrari, Ralf didn't risk a gung-ho manoeuvre on his brother in the early laps, but instead took a lead he maintained to the end when Michael pitted before him.
"Ralf is a natural winner who is going to get better and better as he gets older and more experienced," Williams added. "I remember telling people in the middle of 1999 that if Ralf was in a winning car, a Ferrari or a McLaren, he would already have won races. His manner of winning today was exemplary."
And despite his natural circumspection, Williams insisted his team will win again this year.
"If we do not win at least one more race I would be very surprised," he said. "I do not wish to be too optimistic, but clearly the car is very very good."
"I am just pleased there are not three Schumachers," joked Mika Hakkinen, who came home third a distant 40 seconds behind the duo who made history by becoming the first brothers to finish one-two.
Schumacher's 10-point haul did not alter his fourth-place in the championship, but it lifted him within two points of third-placed Rubens Barrichello.
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