Ralf: I Schu be champ in five years
Toyota driver Ralf Schumacher is convinced that he will be world champion within five years with his new team.
Although he only has a contract with the Cologne-based outfit until 2007, the German believes that the team will improve steadily and with it his chances of claiming the crown.
He has joined big-spenders Toyota as part of a project that has echoes of his brother’s move to Ferrari in 1996.
Back then, Michael found the slipshod Scuderia desperate to end a title-less spell stretching back to 1979, only too willing to focus their efforts around him.
Ralf told www.sportal.it: “In the space of three to five years, I am certain I will be champion. Our objective for next season is get onto the podium when we can, with the championship a long-term goal.”
And with a nod to his brother’s travails in the early years with the Prancing Horse, Ralf said: “My brother Michael had to wait for five years before he won his first title.”
Since Michael took that driver’s title in 2000, no other racer has claimed the sport’s top prize.
