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Schumi silences speculation to shatter Imola lap record
Maranello, Mar 02: Ferrari, McLaren and Williams prepare for the Australian Grand Prix which opens the Formula One season this week.
Maranello, Mar 02: Ferrari, McLaren and Williams prepare for the Australian Grand Prix which opens the Formula One season this week.
Formula One world champion Michael Schumacher shattered the Imola lap record on Wednesday (February 25) as he put the final touches to Ferrari's pre-season preparations for Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne on March 7. Ferrari said Schumacher lapped the Italian circuit in one minute 19.664 seconds. The German, chasing an unprecedented seventh world title and fifth in a row in the season starting in Australia on March 7, completed 98 laps in the new F2004 car. McLaren's David Coulthard was second fastest in 1:20.950 with Colombian Juan Pablo Montoya third on the timesheets for Williams in 1:21.045.
In 2003 Schumacher only won his sixth title by two points after his poor results in the first three races allowed McLaren's Kimi Raikkonen and Williams's Juan Pablo Montoya to chase him throughout the season.
2004 could be the year that Schumacher is beaten by the young contenders. The German has been champion since 2000, before drivers such as Raikkonen or Renault's 22-year-old Spaniard Fernando Alonso made their grand prix debuts but he will not be dethroned without a fight.
Schumacher has seen off a generation of drivers and starts the season as the only champion on the grid, after the departure of Canadian Jacques Villeneuve. He now has 70 wins and needs just 10 more pole positions to match the late Brazilian Ayrton Senna's record of 65.
Bureau Report
Formula One world champion Michael Schumacher shattered the Imola lap record on Wednesday (February 25) as he put the final touches to Ferrari's pre-season preparations for Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne on March 7. Ferrari said Schumacher lapped the Italian circuit in one minute 19.664 seconds. The German, chasing an unprecedented seventh world title and fifth in a row in the season starting in Australia on March 7, completed 98 laps in the new F2004 car. McLaren's David Coulthard was second fastest in 1:20.950 with Colombian Juan Pablo Montoya third on the timesheets for Williams in 1:21.045.
In 2003 Schumacher only won his sixth title by two points after his poor results in the first three races allowed McLaren's Kimi Raikkonen and Williams's Juan Pablo Montoya to chase him throughout the season.
2004 could be the year that Schumacher is beaten by the young contenders. The German has been champion since 2000, before drivers such as Raikkonen or Renault's 22-year-old Spaniard Fernando Alonso made their grand prix debuts but he will not be dethroned without a fight.
Schumacher has seen off a generation of drivers and starts the season as the only champion on the grid, after the departure of Canadian Jacques Villeneuve. He now has 70 wins and needs just 10 more pole positions to match the late Brazilian Ayrton Senna's record of 65.
Bureau Report