Be prepared, urges Ralf
Ralf Schumacher has warned Williams to get their pre-season testing right or risk losing next year’s world championship before a wheel is turned in anger.
The German, brother of Ferrari’s six-time champion Michael, endured a miserable start to last season which kept him out of the title hunt while Williams team-mate Juan Pablo Montoya fared no better.
Montoya, who eventually finished third the championship, lost 23 points on Michael Schumacher over the first six races this year – a deficit which was too great to make up as he eventually ended the season 11 points adrift.
Now Ralf has pinpointed pre-season preparations as the cause for Williams’ failure last season – and called for an improvement this time around.
He told German newspaper Express: “The testing before Christmas is extremely important because the course towards a successful season is already being determined.
“We missed the start of last season, that’s why we didn’t secure the world championship title. At the end of the season, we were even a bit better than Ferrari.
“So, if we put in good work in winter we should be able to fight for the world championship title – that is, of course, what I want.”
