Michael favourite says Ralf

Ralf Schumacher is backing big brother Michael to win a record eighth drivers' championship and leave Formula One on a high.

Michael is locked in a fierce battle with Renault's Fernando Alonso with two races left but, despite reports of an icy relationship between the brothers, Ralf was quick to give Michael a clear edge.

"Michael has the chance - he knows it," Ralf said. "He's desperate to win the title this year.

"From a package point of view you have to say Ferrari is clearly stronger and Michael will be very focused. It would be the perfect way of saying goodbye to everybody."

Ralf also said Alonso's comments in China last week, complaining there were people at Renault who did not want him to win, could hurt the Spaniard's chances.

"I think with Fernando leaving Renault (for McLaren) and there being some trouble with them fighting with each other a bit in the team as it seems, I clearly see Michael having the upper hand," said the Toyota driver.

Ralf also sought to defuse rumours of a souring of relations with his brother, despite only hearing about Michael's decision to retire from F1 through the media.

The younger Schumacher shed some light on his throwaway remark in Monza two races ago when he joked that maybe Michael would send him a text message informing him of his decision.

"I was just asked what I knew about it and certainly by the time Michael announced his retirement I had almost left the circuit," said Ralf.