Williams Unfair to Ralf, Says Manager

Ralf Schumacher's manager Willi Weber has criticised the Williams team for what he perceived to be preferential treatment to their other driver, Colombian Juan Pablo Montoya.

"Ferrari and Williams are two different worlds," Weber told German weekly Sport Bild today. "At Williams there are too many people making decisions. That makes everything more complicated and it's not always easy for Ralf.

"Ralf has a driver beside him who was hailed as a hero and a future World Champion after just three races by their common boss (Frank Williams). I don't think that's right and it's not ideal for Ralf. Williams are now protecting only Montoya and that's not okay."

Weber said he felt Ralf Schumacher was a better driver than Montoya and was more capable of threatening his brother's supremacy.

"If the car is right, the driver most likely to challenge Michael is Ralf, not Montoya," he said. "Our goal is quite clear and that is for Ralf to become World Champion for BMW-Williams before his contract expires in 2004."

Ralf scored Williams's only victory last season, but the German finished behind his Colombian teammate in the Championship standings.