Schumacher

BERLIN -- Ralf Schumacher has dismissed speculation that he might not recover from a heavy crash in time for next week's U.S. Grand Prix.

The German, whose Williams team lead Ferrari in the constructors' championship by four points, missed Sunday's Italian Grand Prix but said he assumed he would be fit again for the last two races.

"I am very amused to hear and read these rumors about who will be taking my place for the final two races. I can only say this: it will just remain speculation," Schumacher said on his personal Web site on Tuesday.

"I'm doing everything to be really fit again and of course assume that I'll be in Indianapolis. Everything else is rubbish," he added.

Schumacher is fourth in the championship, and out of the hunt for the Formula One title with two races left, but can pick up valuable constructors' points.

Older brother Michael Schumacher, chasing his record sixth title, leads Ralf's Colombian teammate Juan Pablo Montoya by three points after winning Sunday's race for Ferrari. McLaren's Kimi Raikkonen is seven points off the pace.

The U.S. Grand Prix at Indianapolis is on September 28 and the final round is in Suzuka, Japan, on October 12 and paddock whispers at Monza on Sunday suggested that Canadian Jacques Villeneuve could be drafted in from BAR.

The rumors were swiftly quashed by team boss Frank Williams.

Ralf said he had begun so-called bio-feedback therapy in Salzburg on Monday, with a week of breathing and relaxation exercises ahead of him. Doctors have advised him to avoid any stressful activity.

Williams are testing at Silverstone but a spokeswoman said Ralf had never been scheduled to take part in that session.

Montoya and test driver Marc Gene, who took Ralf's place at Monza, will test through to Friday.

Ralf crashed in tests at Monza two weeks ago and suffered severe concussion. He pulled out of competition on Saturday, complaining of a headache.

Spanish stand-in Gene acquitted himself well on Sunday, banking four points and taking the lead in a Grand Prix for the first time in his career.