Ralf's Hopes of Repeat Win Wilt in Malaysian Heat

Ralf Schumacher's chances of repeating his 2002 Malaysian Formula One Grand Prix victory looked to have evaporated in the afternoon heat on Saturday.

The German qualified a dismal 17th, a result that put his BMW powered Williams - with probably the most potent engine on the grid - alongside the Minardi of Dutchman Jos Verstappen in Sunday's second race of the season.

"I'm still not happy with the balance of my car and in addition to this, I made a couple of mistakes in two corners where I lost some time," Schumacher said. "Anyway I shouldn't be eight tenths away from my teammate. It's clear that I have to get used to this new qualifying system."

Colombian teammate Juan Pablo Montoya, who followed Schumacher home for a one-two finish at Sepang last year, was eighth, eight tenths of a second quicker, and as puzzled as anyone about Ralf's form.

He suggested that the two had been on a very similar strategy for qualifying in the new FW25 car, which Ralf has apparently found hard to adjust to. Asked if he was happy with his position, the Colombian replied with a grin: "Compared with Ralf? very happy."

"Before qualifying I was within a tenth of Ralf, in the warm-up within a tenth of Ralf and then in qualifying I was eight tenths up on him. It's been the same way in the last four qualifyings, I don't understand why but I don't mind. I think it's brilliant for me but I think it's bad for the team that one car is so far back."

Ralf qualified ninth in Australia in the new single-lap format, while Montoya was third on the grid.

"Yesterday I thought 'he's not that focused', he copied all the set-up from my car to his and he was competitive this morning," said Montoya. "I think our cars were very similar in qualifying, in every aspect...only little things."

Montoya said that last year however, Ralf had been consistently faster than him - 15-two to be exact - on his first lap of the old four-lap qualifying. Yet the Colombian took seven poles to Ralf's none.

"It's really strange. He's got the pace every lap. It's just not the lap that counts. I don't understand what's going on through his mind or anything," said Montoya.

Team boss Frank Williams said that Ralf's concentration had not dropped off but agreed that the German might be feeling the pressure of one-shot qualifying.

"Maybe the pressure is difficult for him," said Williams. "But he's been in very tough situations, he can handle it. It's just it's not working for him at the moment."