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Ralf`s manager attempting long-term Williams deal
Magny-Cours, July 11: Ralf Schumacher`s manager is to attempt to tie the German to the Williams team on a long-term deal, in an arrangement similar to his brother Michael`s with Ferrari.
Magny-Cours, July 11: Ralf Schumacher's manager is to attempt to tie the German to the Williams team on a long-term deal, in an arrangement similar to his brother Michael's with Ferrari.
Ralf Schumacher's existing contract runs out at the end of next season, but now Willi Weber wants to ink a new deal that will keep the 28-year-old at Williams for the foreseeable future.
"I want to do with Ralf what I did with Michael in the early stages," said Weber. "I like to have a long contract. I see how important it is when you stay with a team for many years... it becomes like a big family and the understanding is much better."
Ralf Schumacher's relationship with his team has not always been that good. They have been frustrated by his lack of consistency and there was speculation before his recent run of form that he might be dropped. But team owner Frank Williams insisted that Ralf had the team's support.
Weber said: "I told Frank that Ralf and I wanted to stay in the team for another few years. Now we just wait for Frank to come back.
"It depends on Frank, how he sees it. If he wants stability in the team, he maybe comes early.
"We want to stay in this team. We can be very successful, winning races and the championship."
Williams' engine supplier BMW announced last month that the partnership had been extended to the end of 2009, prompting speculation in Germany that Ralf might stay for a similar length of time.
Weber said: "I was asked: 'Could you see Ralf staying for as long a time as the engine partners?' and I said: 'Why not?'. But the team decides.
"It's a little bit too early to push. Until the end of 2004 all is under control. For 2005, 2006 or whatever as long as Frank says I want to have Ralf in my team then I am happy."
Michael Schumacher is leading the championship, but Ralf is only 11 points adrift with six races to go after winning the last two Grands Prix. But Weber rejected the suggestion that Ralf had only now emerged as a potential champion.
"I have always said that if you give Ralf a good car, he can win races and be a champion," he said. "Now he has a good car.
"He has the same talent as Michael... his character is different, maybe he is not so much of a diplomat as Michael, but in the car they are the same."
But Weber said he backed Michael Schumacher to prevail come the end of the season. "Williams, BMW and Ralf is a very strong package," he said. "But things can change so quickly in Formula One. I believe that Michael will win the championship again. Both Ferrari and Michael will win."
Bureau Report
Ralf Schumacher's existing contract runs out at the end of next season, but now Willi Weber wants to ink a new deal that will keep the 28-year-old at Williams for the foreseeable future.
"I want to do with Ralf what I did with Michael in the early stages," said Weber. "I like to have a long contract. I see how important it is when you stay with a team for many years... it becomes like a big family and the understanding is much better."
Ralf Schumacher's relationship with his team has not always been that good. They have been frustrated by his lack of consistency and there was speculation before his recent run of form that he might be dropped. But team owner Frank Williams insisted that Ralf had the team's support.
Weber said: "I told Frank that Ralf and I wanted to stay in the team for another few years. Now we just wait for Frank to come back.
"It depends on Frank, how he sees it. If he wants stability in the team, he maybe comes early.
"We want to stay in this team. We can be very successful, winning races and the championship."
Williams' engine supplier BMW announced last month that the partnership had been extended to the end of 2009, prompting speculation in Germany that Ralf might stay for a similar length of time.
Weber said: "I was asked: 'Could you see Ralf staying for as long a time as the engine partners?' and I said: 'Why not?'. But the team decides.
"It's a little bit too early to push. Until the end of 2004 all is under control. For 2005, 2006 or whatever as long as Frank says I want to have Ralf in my team then I am happy."
Michael Schumacher is leading the championship, but Ralf is only 11 points adrift with six races to go after winning the last two Grands Prix. But Weber rejected the suggestion that Ralf had only now emerged as a potential champion.
"I have always said that if you give Ralf a good car, he can win races and be a champion," he said. "Now he has a good car.
"He has the same talent as Michael... his character is different, maybe he is not so much of a diplomat as Michael, but in the car they are the same."
But Weber said he backed Michael Schumacher to prevail come the end of the season. "Williams, BMW and Ralf is a very strong package," he said. "But things can change so quickly in Formula One. I believe that Michael will win the championship again. Both Ferrari and Michael will win."
Bureau Report