Thursday May 18th, 2000

Michael Schumacher is ready to resume battle with brother Ralf in this weekend's European Grand Prix at the Nurburgring.

The German pair, who had a heated discussion following Michael's overtaking manoeuvre on the Williams driver in Barcelona two weeks ago, said on Thursday they were both ready to attack each other if required.

"We certainly had a chat after Spain but not in the way people think," said the elder Schumacher. "Ralf drives for Williams and I drive for Ferrari and nobody can give each other a present.

"We respect each other and we give each other the room we need to race and to survive and not have a problem. There is no need to fight or argue at all and there is nothing that needs to be resolved.

"We can be more on the limit because we can rely on each other not to play any dirty games."

Ralf admitted he was angry with his brother following the Spanish duel, but insisted their on-track rivalry would not affect their relationship.

"The manoeuvre was very hard and I got angry about the lost podium place. Both Michael and I don't really enjoy being overtaken and also we like to attack.

"We are strong adversaries on the track and that has been evident in the past two races, but nothing that happens in Formula One will ever change our relationship."

Asked if he would be happy if his brother retired from Grand Prix racing, Ralf said: "It would be nice and a lot easier that way but we like fighting against each other."