Alain Prost feels that if Villeneuve doesn't win the championship this weekend, he can't blame the car, because it's the best car you can have.

Prost commented: "There were no doubts at the start as to who were going to be the major players this season. It started out that way, and that's how it's going to finish. (...) The one with the best car has been Jacques. Williams have clearly had a faster, more competitive car than Ferrari, and everybody has also known that from the start of the season."

He added however: "There's no doubt that the Ferrari improved. But the Williams was still the fastest car. The only thing was if there was any difficulty either with the drivers or some technical problem. But when nothing goes wrong with the Williams, it's difficult to beat."

On who is the best driver he commented: "They're both exceptional drivers, for their driving abilities, their grit and determination, their commitment and their absolute dedication to their work. I like Schumacher a great deal, perhaps he has something extra, partly because of his age. But I think it would be better to wait until Jacques has the same age before making a judgement. Michael has been in three times as many races as Villeneuve."

Mean while at the Jerez press conference the battle is already on. Schumacher stated: "People feel that (Irvine) blocked Jacques, which I'm not so sure he actually did."

Villeneuve didn't agree with this and in his haste to react knocked over the microphone and stated: "Well, he blocked me for one lap, which was enough for Michael to get away."

Villeneuve also added: "Now I'm one point back and on the fighting end of it, and that's the best position for us. That's when we've been the most competitive."