HOCKENHEIM (Germany), Aug 1: Ralf Schumacher established Williams as German Grand Prix favourites after eclipsing his older brother Michael in Friday’s first qualifying.

While Ralf stood out on a dominant afternoon for his BMW-powered team, Ferrari’s Formula One leader struggled to hold his own and was more than a second off the pace in ninth position.

McLaren’s Kimi Raikkonen, seven points behind the Ferrari driver in the standings, was sixth quickest on a hot day that clearly played into the hands of Michelin-tyred teams over Bridgestone’s runners.

Colombian Juan Pablo Montoya, Ralf’s team mate, was second with Michelin cars filling the top seven slots.

First qualifying times:

1. Ralf Schumacher (Germany) Williams one minute 14.427 seconds 2. Juan Pablo Montoya (Colombia) Williams 1:14.673 3. Jarno Trulli (Italy) Renault 1:15.004 4. Mark Webber (Australia) Jaguar 1:15.030 5. Fernando Alonso (Spain) Renault 1:15.214 6. Kimi Raikkonen (Finland) McLaren 1:15.276 7. Justin Wilson (Britain) Jaguar 1:15.373 8. Rubens Barrichello (Brazil) Ferrari 1:15.399 9. Michael Schumacher (Germany) Ferrari 1:15.456 10. Olivier Panis (France) Toyota 1:15.471 11. David Coulthard (Britain) McLaren 1:15.557 12. Jenson Button (Britain) BAR 1:15.754 13. Heinz-Harald Frentzen (Germany) Sauber 1:15.968 14. Nick Heidfeld (Germany) Sauber 1:15.985 15. Cristiano da Matta (Brazil) Toyota 1:16.450 16. Ralph Firman (Britain) Jordan 1:17.044 17. Giancarlo Fisichella (Italy) Jordan 1:17.111 18. Jos Verstappen (Netherlands) Minardi 1:17.702.—Reuters