Schumacher brothers set another F1 first

Ralf took the lead off the start grid and held David Coulthard at bay for all 62 laps at Imola to record Williams' first triumph since the Luxembourg Grand Prix at the Nurburgring in September 1997.

While the Williams-BMW squad moved to third in the constructors' world championship, the German leaps up to fourth in the drivers' title race with his first win after 70 Grand Prix starts.

David Coulthard finished second to share the lead in the world championship with Michael Schumacher, who retired after 24 laps with an unspecified machanical problem which caused a puncture. Rubens Barrichello was third after recovering from falling as low as eighth.

"I can't believe it, this is such a fantastic feeling, " said the 25-year-old Schumacher Jr. "It is a great experience and I hope it is one of many. I have waited long enough for it.

"I had a great start, went down the inside of David who messed his start and luckily he gave me the room at the chicane. I was in the space, got through and was leading - to be honest I couldn't believe it.

"After that it was a pretty long race and it took ages to finish.

"I didn't start thinking about the fact that I could win until 14 laps from the flag.

"I feel sorry for my brother, but I am sure he will be stronger at the next race. Everything on the car was just perfect today."

But Schumacher, who even outqualified his brother, said that his team could even be battling for the world title after this performance.

"It is a bit early to say what out potential is but we have been pretty good in every race and had a lot of bad luck," he said. "But we have a great package and we will improve it and then it might be possible. We will try our best, that's for sure."