Schumacher dismisses talk of Villeneuve as team-mate

MICHAEL SCHUMACHER took a swipe at Jacques Villeneuve yesterday — telling his former title rival he was not good enough to be his team-mate.

The five-time champion dismissed reports speculating that Villeneuve would be partnering him at Ferrari next season.

"I do not see any seriousness in that to be honest we want to improve our situation," said Schumacher ahead of the German Grand Prix at Hockenheim.

The duo have engaged in frequent wars of words ever since Schumacher tried to ram Villeneuve off the track in their 1997 title decider at Jerez in Spain.

Villeneuve survived the attempt and went on to win the drivers' crown with Williams, though his career has never hit the same heights since.

The 32-year-old Canadian has not won a race since and much of this season has been spent dealing with speculation over whether he will leave BAR.

Schumacher also accused Formula One of double standards over team orders yesterday, claiming McLaren had already engaged in the outlawed practice.

The five-time champion said title rival Kimi Raikkonen had been allowed to overtake team-mate David Coulthard at the British Grand Prix at Silverstone almost two weeks ago.

Schumacher insisted he had no problems with team orders being imposed but said if his Ferrari team had done the same thing they would been heavily criticised.

"I am totally surprised there has been no speculation how easy Kimi was able to overtake David as the situation for me was very clear and very normal," said Schumacher.

"David was on a different strategy but he let Kimi by very easily, but then could go at the speed he was able and make things more difficult for all the other drivers than he did for Kimi.

"If the same would have happened with Ferrari there would have been a big casino, a big story about it, yet it has happened with McLaren but nobody has talked about it."

"I am not concerned about team orders, it is totally right in this circumstance what they are doing but what I am complaining about is this completely different attitude if we do it than if somebody else does it."

McLaren claimed after the race that Raikkonen was able to get by Coulthard because their drivers were on different strategies and the Scot was carrying a heavier fuel load.

Coulthard is out of championship contention but Raikkonen is second in the drivers' standings just seven points behind Schumacher with five races left. Raikkonen looked at one stage as if he could snatch back the championship lead at Silverstone as he was running second with Schumacher in the middle of the pack.