Reigning World Champion Jacques Villeneuve believes Michael Schumacher is favoured by the race officials to become this year's World Champion. He also feels McLaren haven't done enough of development work after the excellent start of the season.

He stated: "It would be great if Hakkinen were to be my successor for the world title. But from my point of view, if Schumacher were to win, I would be relieved. I'd know then that nobody would be doing anything to make him win it next season. McLaren have the best car and two good drivers, but they seemed to be doing everything to lose the championship. At the start of the season, they were so far in front of everyone else that they didn't think about further development. They're coming back into it, but now they have to reckon with the fact that Michael is always in the right place at the right time. Especially when the yellow flags appear at the track-side."

He told ANSA news agency: "Ferrari don't exist. The team is registered as Ferrari, but in fact it's Schumacher who gives all the orders. Everyone there works for 'Team Schumacher." And he added: "Ralf isn't like his brother very much. He seems a nice guy."