Theissen: Keeping Ralf Not a Priority for BMW

Retaining Ralf Schumacher as a Williams Formula One driver next season is not a priority for BMW, says the German carmaker's motorsport director.

Mario Theissen told reporters at the season-opening Australian Grand Prix that the Munich-based company would not be driven by nationality.

"It's not first priority. We've always said that the priority is to get the two quickest drivers we can get," he said.

"It's not that important. We see it as a bonus to have Ralf on board but we would never sacrifice on performance in order to have a driver of a certain nationality."

The German, younger brother of Ferrari's six times world champion Michael, is out of contract with BMW-powered Williams at the end of the year and the team could be looking for two new drivers for 2005.

Colombian Juan Pablo Montoya has already signed a contract with McLaren for next year.

Ralf criticised Williams recently in a German newspaper interview, expressing disappointment that an offered deal had stalled and with Frank Williams's suggestions that money was the sticking point.

Williams would not comment on Ralf's remarks, saying: "I can truthfully look you in the eye and say I never read any article about what Ralf said, because I chose not to.

"I am thereby in the happy position of truly being unable to comment."

Ralf qualified a disappointing eighth for Sunday's race at Albert Park. Montoya was third on the grid.

Jaguar's Australian Mark Webber and BAR'S Briton Jenson Button, both considered leading candidates to replace Montoya despite contracts with their current teams, qualified sixth and fourth respectively.

"I've always been impressed with Jenson since 2000," said Williams, who gave the 24-year-old his first race drive.

"He's now got much better equipment to demonstrate his capabilities," he added. "The car needs the driver and the driver needs the car."