Mugello, July 16: Michael Schumacher admits he sees his younger brother Ralf as a threat to his defence of his Formula One driver's title. The Ferrari driver, chasing a record sixth Formula One championship, saw Ralf win the French Grand Prix win on July 6, the BMW Williams driver's second consecutive victory. Ralf is also the only driver to have finished every race in the points so far. His form, after a disappointing start to the season, has helped blow open the title race and silenced critics who only a month ago questioned the German's ability and desire to win after he trailed Michael home in Canada without attempting to overtake. Ralf remains 11 points adrift of Michael, with McLaren's Kimi Raikkonen sandwiched between the brothers ahead of Sunday's British Grand Prix. But Michael, speaking during a test session at Ferrari's track in Mugello, Italy, said he had predicted a tight season, although he admitted to being surprised at the sudden return to form of the Williams team after an unpromising start to the season.


Michael predicted that Ferrari would be highly competitive at Silverstone and remains optimistic for the rest of the season. Michael took some time out from testing the Formula One car to have a go behind the wheel of Italian driver Gabriele Tarquini's European Saloon car championship Alfa Romeo.


Schumacher soon had the feel of the Alfa and set a best lap time just one second slower than Tarquini's best for the circuit. Ferrari and Alfa Romeo are both owned by the Fiat car company.


Bureau Report