Ralf forced to make his point

(30-Sep-98) - Ralf Schumacher will stay at Williams for the next four years
providing he scores a certain amount of points, claim insiders with the
team.

The German apparently has a two year deal, to which the team has added the
possibility of another two, providing he is close enough to team-leader
Alex Zanardi. If the 23-year-old has over 60% of the score of the Italian,
he will have the right, automatically to stay with the Grove-based team. If
he scores below that figure, Williams will be able to release Schumacher.

The deal can be seen as an insurance policy on the part of Williams.
Schumacher has the reputation of being fast but wild, and after the first
three races of the season, the younger brother of double world-champion
Michael had completed fewer than five laps. The complex contract reflects a
desire to rein in the Jordan driver, who has proved that he can perform
well when he keeps the car on the track.

Trevor Foster, the managing director of Jordan, applauded Williams's choice
of Schumacher and Zanardi. 'It's a good pairing - they'll push each other
hard. Ralf's consistency is improving all the time.'

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