Ralf Schumacher is maintaining his belief that he can challenge his brother Michael for the World Championship this year.

The 26-year-old, currently third place in the standings and 24 points behind the reigning Champion, thinks that the BMW-Williams package will be strong and consistent enough over the rest of the season to give him a chance at securing his first crown.

‘The main objective is to win the Championship – not finish in second place,’ Schumacher told the French sporting journal L’Equipe. ‘But if winning proves impossible, I hope to be able to obtain second.’

‘At the beginning of the season we saw that the opportunity was there. As long as it exists, we will be able to fight for the title. The Ferrari F2002 is brilliant at the moment but I am certain that if BMW-Williams succeed in producing the same package as Ferrari, Juan (Pablo Montoya) or I can beat Michael.’

Nevertheless, Schumacher, who won the Malaysian Grand Prix in March, said having the best machine was not a pivotal factor.

‘I have already won against Michael with a package that was weaker than his,’ he stated. ‘I do not believe that that is a problem.

‘There are some drivers who are very close in performances; the only advantage that Michael possesses at present is all his experience and the fact that he has the best team around him.’

Ralf Schumacher and Montoya are expected to be closer to Ferrari this weekend in Austria with the A-1 layout looking likely to suit the team’s FW24 contender.