After just missing out on the constructor’s title in 2003 BMW-Williams’ expectations for the following season were high. The blue and white team did not only want to keep up with the Ferraris, but they intended to put an end to their dominant reign in F1. Unfortunately they did not achieve their set goal. BMW-Williams ended the season with 88 points and a disappointing 4th place in the championship. Juan Pablo and Ralf had to settle for 5th and 9th place respectively.

The year had started so well. Th new FW26 surprised everybody with its outstanding and different presentation, and it also posted fastest lap times during winter testing in Barcelona and Jerez. It seemed that BMW-Williams would be able to match Ferrari with its new contender, which was named “Hammer Head Shark” thanks to its wide nose. At the first race in Australia the euphoric mood was slashed. Not only did BMW-Williams have to bow to the Ferraris, also Renault proved to be too much for them to match. Frustration was big when they realized that they didn’t have what it takes to win from the get go!

For Ralf it was the beginning of a season of catastrophic proportions in the first half. 3 times Ralf posted DNF’s, his results were always between the positions 4 and 7. In Canada Ralf finished in 2nd place only to see him being disqualified for an illegal brake cooling  duck. After his massive crash in Indy, where Ralf broke 2 vertebras, he had to sit out for 3 months and the season was practically over.

During that time though, it didn’t become quite around Ralf. In the beginning of July an announcement of Ralf’s switch to Toyota had him monopolize the covers of many papers. Ralf’s time with Williams came to an end. When Ralf’s injuries where finally cured he decided to partake in the last 3 races, also to show his team his unbroken commitment. He was able to score a season best 2nd place finish in Japan and scored 12 points in his last 3 races, bringing his time with the team to a positive end. The next challenge with a new team awaited him.