Ferrari 'face another beating'

Schumacher is facing an onslaught from Montoya Who will be F1 champ? Montoya cools title talk

Michael Schumacher believes Ferrari face another thrashing at the hands of Williams at the next Grand Prix.

The next race in Hungary on 24 August is usually held in hot conditions similar to those that helped Williams and their Michelin tyres dominate in Germany on Sunday.

Schumacher said: "At this point, I'm not very optimistic. We are always hopeful but we have to be realistic.

"We will most likely have the same problems in Hungary that we have now but there are some courses further down the schedule that are better suited to us."

Schumacher's last victory was in Canada in June.

Even then, he had to fight off the faster Williams cars, whose drivers failed to make the most of their advantage.

But Schumacher said it was "overly simplistic" to suggest that Ferrari, who use Bridgestone tyres, are slipping behind Williams, who use Michelins.

Williams driver Juan Pablo Montoya dominated the German GP to move to just six points behind Schumacher with four races to go.

The only thing you can do in a situation like that is stay calm and reasoned Michael Schumacher Ferrari 'paid price for risk' Montoya eases to German win

The Colombian has now scored 50 points in the last six races, thanks to two wins, three second places and a third.

Schumacher said: "I have said all along that we have more to be afraid about Williams than anyone else.

"That was true at Hockenheim. But on the other hand I'm still ahead and will fight for every point."

The world champion was on course for second place in Germany until a tyre failure four laps from the end dropped him to seventh place.

It was the third tyre failure on a Ferrari during the weekend, Schumacher suffering two of them and team-mate Rubens Barrichello one.

"There is that famous word that starts 'sh'. That came to mind," said Schumacher when asked to explain his feelings following his late setback.

"I looked in the rear-view mirror to see if anything else was damaged and hoped to be able to finish the race.

"The only thing you can do in a situation like that is stay calm and reasoned. That's racing. Things like that happen."