Ralf may leave BMW WilliamsF1?

In a recent interview with the Bild am Sonntag German newspaper Ralf Schumacher has made it clear that there is every chance that he may leave the BMW WilliamsF1 team. Ralf's current contract, like Juan Pablo Montoya, finishes at the end of the 2004 season. If Ralf was to depart the team it would see the WilliamsF1 team having to employ two new drivers for 2005 as Juan Pablo has already signed for McLaren.

From comments made by Ralf it would appear that he is far from happy as to the manner in which the negotiations have been held. He feels that Frank Williams thinks that Ralf is only after the money.

In the interview Ralf said: "Even if me and my manager Willi Weber would find it hard to leave behind our friends at BMW, there's a chance it could happen. It would be sad, but I can't allow myself to be treated like that by Williams. I'm not frustrated, but I find it hard to understand certain things that have happened these past few months."

Schumacher also commented on what his feelings of an offer that he maintains was withdrawn by the WilliamsF1 team.

Ralf added: "Frank Williams says I'm nothing but a money-grabber. I can only laugh at that. I wanted to sign. We scheduled a meeting for the final race of the season in Japan, but Frank Williams wasn't there and then he suddenly pulled the offer. On a human level I'm very disappointed with him."

As for a response from the WilliamsF1 team Frank Williams was quoted as saying that the matter was "purely down to cash." He added: "The reason we're playing hardball is because we are the only team at the front of the grid which is not a public company."

Whether or not Ralf and the WilliamsF1 team can settle their dispute is still very unclear. Maybe it will come down to BMW, who would most likely want to keep a German driver in the team, to bring the parties together.