BMW WilliamsF1 Team-Interview R.Schumacher-Austrian GP

Interview with Ralf Schumacher prior to the
Austrian Grand Prix on 18th May 2003, A1-Ring

1. In what way is the Grand Prix on the A1-Ring special to you, having
adopted Austria as your home?
Ralf Schumacher: "Well, since Heinz Prüller of Austrian television already
refers to me as Œour Ralf¹, it has to mean something special, doesn¹t it?
But joking aside, as I live here and have many, many friends in Austria,
this race is naturally something of a home event for me. At any rate, it¹s
the Grand Prix with the shortest journey time for me: I can get there in two
hours by car."

2. What is the essentially character of the A1-Ring?
Ralf Schumacher: "Well, to be honest, technically speaking there are more
demanding circuits than the A1-Ring. But overall it does pose its challenges
­ both for the car and for the team. This circuit should not be
underestimated! But what I like so much about Spielberg is the atmosphere of
the race ­ the mountains, the meadows, the cows next to the track. Where
else do you get that?"

3. To what extent do you regret the Austrian Grand Prix being dropped from
the Formula One calendar?
Ralf Schumacher: "I¹m a little sad that the race is being cut. If it were up
to me, I¹d like to continue racing in Austria, but unfortunately that¹s not
for the drivers to decide. It seems that there are economic reasons behind
it, and there¹s nothing we can do about that."

4. How do you feel about your performance so far in 2003?
Ralf Schumacher: "The short answer would be we¹ve got off lightly. Naturally
we were all hoping to do better, but I¹m delighted with the way the team has
put the bad start to the season behind it and is powering ahead to get the
car where it should be ­ right at the front where the battles for victory
are fought out."

5. How does the season¹s objective look after five races?
Ralf Schumacher: "That hasn¹t actually changed. We¹ve just got five races
less in which to achieve it. As before, we¹re aiming right for the top. We
want to win races."

6. There is speculation about a possible team change on your part. How do
you envisage your own future?
Ralf Schumacher: "If you pursued every rumour in Formula One, you¹d hardly
have time for anything else. The fact is that I¹ve got a contract with the
BMW WilliamsF1 Team until the end of 2004 and that the team will naturally
be my number one negotiating partner for the following period. But beyond
that, I don¹t give much more thought to the matter. It¹s normal to reflect
on the future from time to time, but my priority at the moment is the
ongoing development of the FW25 so that we can get back into a position to
win."