Williams offers backing to Schumacher

Frank Williams tonight positioned himself in Ralf Schumacher’s corner as he backed the German to make a “vital” contribution to his team’s fortunes over the final two grands prix of the year.

With Schumacher under fire in certain quarters for his decision to withdraw from Sunday’s Chinese Grand Prix, after a lengthy pit stop left him apparently out of points contention, it was left to team principal Williams to defend the driver.