The BMW Williams team at Grove celebrated their first Grand Prix success for four years after Ralf Schumacher's pillar-to-post victory in the San Marino race at Imola on Sunday.

Schumacher, younger brother of reigning world champion Michael, blasted past David Coulthard from third spot on the grid, and powered away to his first Grand Prix triumph.

Schumacher was never headed in the 62-lap battle and eased up in the final few laps to come home just over four seconds ahead, to win at the 70th time of asking.

"It's fantastic to have finally won - I hope it will be one of many," said Schumacher, who with Michael became the first brothers in championship history to win a race.

"I have seen my brother win so many times in the past and it was very emotional for me to be able to finally do the same. Though I would have liked him to be there on the podium with me.

"We still have a lot of work to do, but if we can keep improving then we will be able to compete with the likes of Ferrari and McLaren for the championship."

Schumacher's victory was the first by a Williams driver since Jacques Villeneuve triumphed at the Luxembourg Grand Prix in September 1997 when on his way to the title.

"It was a very good race by Ralf," said team chief Frank Williams, 59 today. "He did not make a single mistake."

The success showed that Schumacher is a potential world champion and that Williams are again a force to be reckoned with.

Coulthard's second place was enough to take him level on points with Michael Schumacher at the top of the drivers' standings with four of the 17-race season gone.

"It's disappointing not to win but it's good to be leading the championship with Michael," said the McLaren driver who has finished on the podium in every race so far.

"There is still a long way to go in the championship and clearly Williams are going to be a threat following Ralf's victory.

"I know that if I want to win the title then I have got to keep scoring points, which is what I intend to do.

"I have got myself into a good position now and I want to stay there."

Coulthard's title hopes, as he heads for the next race in Spain on Sunday week, were boosted as Schumacher senior was forced into retirement after just 25 laps with a brake problem in his Ferrari.

"I am very happy for Ralf," said Michael, who embraced his brother at the end. "We have both achieved our goal and our parents will be very proud."

Brazil's Rubens Barrichello was third for Ferrari with Mika Hakkinen fourth in the other McLaren, while Jordan's Jarno Trulli and Heinz-Harald Frentzen were fifth and sixth.

Jenson Button, driving an Enstone-prepared Benetton, finished two laps down in 12th spot after being forced to make two pit stops in quick succession when no fuel went in the first time, while Jaguar Racing's Eddie Irvine retired.