Williams car is best - Ralf Schumacher

Ralf Schumacher believes team-mate Juan Pablo Montoya has the car advantage for the two-race title tussle with his big brother Michael.

But Schumacher does not expect to be asked to help his fellow Williams-BMW driver, insisting he will be going all out to win Sunday’s United States Grand Prix at Indianapolis himself.

“I think we have the best car in the pit-lane so we’ve got a very good chance to win here – the two of us, simply by having the same car,” said Schumacher, whose slim title chances were ended when he was forced to withdraw form the last race in Italy.

“In the last five races except Monza, we’ve had more points – even in Monza our car, from the times I saw, was the quicker car, it was just unlucky at the start and with the strategy. Monza could have been won by Ferrari or us but here we should be better again.

“From an experience point of view and racing ability, I definitely see Michael as having the upper hand. But on the package side, I see Juan in a better position – we have a stronger car and the better tyre – all that is against Michael.

“Ferrari never stops working and they know how to do it and they had a good comeback in Monza – but that’s a fairly simple circuit and we knew before the race that it would suit them very well. Here, it’s going to be difficult for Michael.

“Obviously Michael is my brother and I wish him all the best. At the same time, I’m driving for Williams and Juan deserves it as much.”

Montoya trails Schumacher by just three points with two races left while McLaren’s Kimi Raikkonen is four points further adrift of the five-time world champion.

Ralf Schumacher believes he will be allowed to win Sunday’s race if he is in a position to do so even if Montoya is lying second as Williams allow their drivers to battle on the track and team orders have been banned anyway.

“Yeah sure, why not,” said Schumacher, when asked if he would expect to win if leading Montoya.

“My role is the same as usual – to try and score as many points for the team as possible and do a good job.

“Williams has always followed the rules 100% – white or black – and obviously team orders is in the black area so we won’t go there.

“Our team is not known for team orders and never will do it. End of story.”