Williams wants Ralf to stay - at a price

Frank Williams wants to keep Germany’s Ralf Schumacher next year – but only if the price is right.

The team chief does not want to be looking for two new drivers in 2005 with Juan Pablo Montoya already bound for McLaren.

But Williams is balking at Schumacher’s wage demands and has already drawn up a hit list of replacements, which includes Jenson Button.

“Money is an issue with Ralf,” said Williams today.

“The ideal situation would be to keep Ralf. But we have agreed to park up the problem for some time.

“There is no rush for us to do something about 2005 and we will look at everybody. We have got a lot of people we can look at.

“I think Jenson matured a lot as a driver last year but he is under contract to BAR.”

Williams gave Button his Formula One breakthrough in 2000 but had to release him after one season to take up his option on Montoya.

Button revitalised his career at BAR last year and will be one of the prime candidates for a Williams slot even though he is contracted to their Brackley-based rivals after this season.

Jaguar’s Mark Webber is also on the hit-list while Williams can also look at Nelson Piquet junior, son of the former world champion, who has already tested with the team.

Montoya decided to switch to McLaren for next season just days after a blazing row with the team during the French Grand Prix at Magny-Cours last July.

The Colombian was upset at what he believes was the unfair treatment he was receiving compared to Schumacher.

Montoya was left seething when Schumacher made an early pit stop just moments after he had also decided to come in early.

The 28-year-old made his feelings clear in a tirade of expletives and was hauled in by the team chiefs for talks afterwards.

“Juan Pablo is a very passionate character and because of that he sometimes makes impulsive decisions and sometimes he comes to impulsive conclusions,” admitted technical director Patrick Head today.

“He was unhappy because he felt we were putting more into Ralf’s car, which was not the case.

“I felt we had a positive meeting with Juan Pablo but I don’t think he was impressed at having his knuckles rapped and I know the decision to sign for McLaren was taken within a few days of that.”

Head insisted Schumacher and Montoya would both get equal treatment this season with Williams team confidence they can topple Ferrari.

“I think Ferrari are an incredibly class act,” added Head.

“Anybody who manages to beat them will have done a stunning job. I hope it will be us who does it first.”