Ralf launches attack on rivals

He said he and his brother will never be on the same team and that he doesn't know if he could beat him if they were.

And for good measure he says that he "doesn't mind" the persistent paddock whispers that he is gay.

"It doesn't bother me at all," said Schumacher, whose fianc?e is expecting a baby in the autumn. "Everyone should do what they like. This is the 21st Century. I don't mind being talked about. I'm used to it. The worst thing about being famous isn't having people say you're gay, it's when you can't go shopping without being recognised."

Schumacher was speaking on one of the days he is contractually obliged to give to his sponsors - in this case Compaq, the computing power behind BMW Williams.

Oddly, the number of days he gives to Compaq per year is secret, because drivers negotiate over such things fiercely when contract time comes up.

That time will not come up again for Schumacher for some while.

He has just signed to re-main with Williams until the end of 2004 for around £7 million per year.

Arguably, he is currently the most intriguing driver in Formula One. This is partly down to the fact that the individual championship is so patently over.

With only seven races left including this Sunday's British Grand Prix, Michael Schumacher would still lead the hunt even if he failed to finish in the next three races and nearest challenger Coulthard won them all.

But given McLaren's recent slump, the 16-point gap between Coulthard and Ralf is far more eye-catching.

He said: "There is a slight chance I can finish second in the championship. It is not important. Second or third is nothing too special. Only winning is special. It's more important for the team to get ahead of McLaren in the constructors' race. But this is certainly not the best I have ever driven. It just shows more because the car is performing."

His team-mate, the controversial Colombian Montoya, claims Ralf is driving so well because he is pushing him. On hearing that, Schumacher rubbed his chin and said nothing for a long time. Then he grinned: "In that case he should keep pushing me."

Montoya can be a garrulous chap. He and Coulthard both felt the move Michael made on Ralf at the European Grand Prix two weeks ago - when the triple world champion almost pushed his brother into the pit lane as they sped off the front row of the grid - was "dangerous". Ralf disagreed. "Not dangerous, no. It was a move to defend his position.

"I'd have done it the same. If Juan is talking about dangerous moves, maybe he should watch his own driving style. Even Coulthard shouldn't always pretend to be the fairest boy in Formula One. Sometimes he does the same."

Last year, Schumacher's team-mate was Button, whom he appeared to like rather better than Montoya. Does Ralf still believe, as he said this time last year, that it was a mis-take to loan out Button?

"From his performance this year. . ." Schumacher trailed off and shrugged. "He has not done as good a job. It's not just the car he's in. You have to beat your team-mate first, and his team-mate seems to be better every time."

This is true. Giancarlo Fisichella has out-qualified Button in nine out of 10 races this year. In the five races both finished, Fisichella was ahead every time. Meantime, Schumacher has two race wins to his name this year and, unlike some before him, is clearly thriving in the brusque Williams atmosphere.

Schumacher explained: "We just all know what we want, that's all. We're not getting married at the end of it. If there is a need, we have a tough conversation.

"I like and respect Frank Williams very much. He's making the most out of his life. It's amazing how much strength he has."

But Ralf has not read the extraordinary book by Williams's wife Virginia, laying bare their life since the car accident which put her husband in a wheelchair 15 years ago.

Ralf smiled: "Frank does not like that book. That's why I haven't read it."

On the other hand, something Williams does like is when his drivers are not top of one another's Christmas card list. He believes it produces better results.

Schumacher agreed: "I can't remember ever having a friend as a teammate. It's impossible because the first person you want to beat in any race is the man driving the same machinery as you. The worst result you can have is to lose to him.

"I don't think we will ever find out what it would be like if I were Michael's team-mate. One of us would always lose, and there would be so much stuff in the Press every time. We would make our lives so difficult by being on the same team. Why would we do that?"

And of course, there is the fact that being Michael's No2 is a grim job. "Not if you are quick enough," stated Ralf emphatically.

"Eddie never was quick enough and never will be. The same for Rubens. If you're slower, you'll lose. I don't know if I'd be quick enough. I'm definitely quick enough to win races. That's enough for me. I don't want to compare myself to Michael."

No need. One way or another, he is earning enough headlines of his own.