Montreal, June 12: Michael Schumacher is confident he can race back to the top of the F1 drivers' championship with victory in Sunday's Canadian Grand Prix.
The Ferrari driver has not topped the standings this season and lies four points behind McLaren's Kimi Raikkonen. But the reigning world champion, who has signed up to drive with Ferrari until 2006, is determined to defend his title starting in Montreal. "I am really motivated for this race as I can try to overtake Raikkonen in the championship seeing as there is only a four-point gap," Schumacher said. "Obviously we are going out to win in Canada, as in every race.
"To win in Canada you need a good car, good tyres and a good engine. We have every chance of being successful."
The German has won five Grands Prix in Montreal and after a shaky start to the season has proved he is still the force to beat in F1 after claiming back-to-back victories in San Marino, Spain and Austria.


"I enjoy racing in Canada, even if Montreal isn't the track best suited to my driving style," said Schumacher. "I like high-speed curves and here there aren't any, so I can't really explain why this race has always gone well for me.



"Maybe it's because I feel so relaxed in Canada."



Williams also have high hopes of success in Montreal after Juan Pablo Montoya stylishly won the Monaco Grand Prix nearly a fortnight ago. Montoya, who is fifth in the drivers table, and team-mate Ralf Schumacher believe they will also be in contention at the weekend.



"We generally have performed well there in the past," said the Colombian. "Ralf (Schumacher) won in 2001 and last year, after claiming pole, I was forced to retire from the race when I was in second position after I had been in the lead for several laps.



"More than the confidence that the Monaco win gave me, I believe that the Gilles Villeneuve Circuit should suit our chassis-engine-tyre package."


Bureau Report