Ralf on Road to Indianapolis

Ralf Schumacher is aiming to be back in the cockpit of his Williams-BMW in time for the United States grand prix at Indianapolis on September 28. He missed Sunday's Italian grand prix because of the after-effects of a testing accident two weeks ago.

Schumacher, who complained of headaches and nausea after first practice at Monza, was withdrawn from the race by Williams and replaced by the team's test driver Marc Gene, who finished fifth. But he hopes to be back for the penultimate round of the title chase to help protect Williams' four-point lead over Ferrari in the constructors' championship.

The German driver said he was amused by wild speculation that the BAR-Honda driver Jacques Villeneuve might be recruited to drive the second Williams alongside Juan Pablo Montoya for the last two races of the year.

It has been made clear to Villeneuve that there is little chance of his remaining at BAR next season and he is almost certain to be replaced by Japan's Takuma Sato, who may even succeed him for the final race of this season at Suzuka.

"I am amused to hear these rumours about who will be taking my place for the final races," said Schumacher. "Assume that I'll be at Indianapolis. Everything else is rubbish."

Gene will also be present at the US race in his role as reserve driver and will take over should there be any last-minute deterioration in Schumacher's condition.

Reports that Schumacher's manager Willi Weber had expressed the view that he should not drive again this season as a precaution have been firmly denied by the Stuttgart-based entrepreneur.

Schumacher holds fourth place in the world championship on 58 points, 24 behind his brother Michael who is going for his sixth drivers' title, an all-time record. Only Montoya with 79 points and McLaren's Kimi Raikkonen on 75 now have a chance of stopping the Ferrari driver.