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Schumacher eyes top spot
May 14: Michael Schumacher has his sights firmly set on taking the lead in the Formula One World Championship in this weekend`s Austrian Grand Prix. The German has shrugged off his worst ever start to a F1 season to get back on course for a record sixth drivers` crown with victory in the last two races.
May 14: Michael Schumacher has his sights firmly set on taking the lead in the Formula One World Championship in this weekend's Austrian Grand Prix.
The German has shrugged off his worst ever start to a F1 season to get back on course for a record sixth drivers' crown with victory in the last two races.
The 34-year-old is just four points behind leader Kimi Raikonnen and comes to the A1-Ring at Zeltweg after another intensive week of testing in Ferrari's new car, which was given its debut in Spain. "We did a lot of work last week and accumulated promising data which means we can be optimistic about the Austrian GP," said Schumacher. "Obviously, we want to reduce the gap still further or even better, to turn the situation around, which would be the ideal result. "I think the championship is pretty exciting, not only for those directly involved, but also for the spectators and the fans," added Schumacher. "It is very close and, looking at the drivers' classification, you realise that there are still several drivers in the running. I am sure the 2003 season will be a tough fight right to the end. But he added: "We are ready now for Austria. Every single race is important and we have already been through our difficult moment." Schumacher was chased home in Spain by Renualt's Fernando Alonso but the German still feels McLaren, neither of whose drivers finished in Barcelona, pose the greatest overall threat. "I don't think Renault have made such a step forward," he said. "There is no point in assuming a different order based on just one race.
"I am starting from the presumption that McLaren-Mercedes will still be our main opponent. They have been strong since the start of the year, even if Renault scored an excellent result in Spain. "But I think it will be interesting to see how things develop over the next few races, not only with regard to Renault but also how things go for BMW-Williams.
"Even on the driver side, I think that, in the long term, the McLaren guys will be the most competitive. Kimi is still leading the championship and is a great driver, but you can never rule out David (Coulthard)." Schumacher won last year's Austrian GP in controversial fashion, when Ferrari ordered his team-mate Rubens Barrichello to allow the world champion through to victory.
Bureau Report
The 34-year-old is just four points behind leader Kimi Raikonnen and comes to the A1-Ring at Zeltweg after another intensive week of testing in Ferrari's new car, which was given its debut in Spain. "We did a lot of work last week and accumulated promising data which means we can be optimistic about the Austrian GP," said Schumacher. "Obviously, we want to reduce the gap still further or even better, to turn the situation around, which would be the ideal result. "I think the championship is pretty exciting, not only for those directly involved, but also for the spectators and the fans," added Schumacher. "It is very close and, looking at the drivers' classification, you realise that there are still several drivers in the running. I am sure the 2003 season will be a tough fight right to the end. But he added: "We are ready now for Austria. Every single race is important and we have already been through our difficult moment." Schumacher was chased home in Spain by Renualt's Fernando Alonso but the German still feels McLaren, neither of whose drivers finished in Barcelona, pose the greatest overall threat. "I don't think Renault have made such a step forward," he said. "There is no point in assuming a different order based on just one race.
"I am starting from the presumption that McLaren-Mercedes will still be our main opponent. They have been strong since the start of the year, even if Renault scored an excellent result in Spain. "But I think it will be interesting to see how things develop over the next few races, not only with regard to Renault but also how things go for BMW-Williams.
"Even on the driver side, I think that, in the long term, the McLaren guys will be the most competitive. Kimi is still leading the championship and is a great driver, but you can never rule out David (Coulthard)." Schumacher won last year's Austrian GP in controversial fashion, when Ferrari ordered his team-mate Rubens Barrichello to allow the world champion through to victory.
Bureau Report