Schumacher optimistic, but Briatore says: 'Lets wait andsee'

By Volker Gundrum Aug 1, 2006, 15:41 GMT

German Formula One driver Michael Schumacher (front) of Ferrari celebrates in his car followed by his Brazilian team-mate Felipe Massa during the German Grand Prix at the racetrack in Hockenheim, Germany, Sunday 30 July 2006. Schumacher won the race. EPA/ROLAND WEIHRAUCH

Budapest (dpa) - Even though Michael Schumacher is as optimistic as never before this season, he has been warned by Renault team principal Flavio Briatore.

'Let's wait and see whether one can speak of a Ferrari come-back. They have been very consistent up to now, we have to see whether they stay it. The dead are only buried when they are cold.'

Briatore also defended tyre manufacturer Michelin, who have been blamed for some of the problems the team is facing. 'Of course we need to work more now - both us and Michelin.'

Renault driver Giancarlo Fisichella is less optimistic though. 'It was really difficult to keep the car on the track and drive consistent times. At times it was impossible to control it.'

Less than a week ahead of Sunday's Hungarian Grand Prix in Budapest Fisichella is surprised that Schumacher has closed the gap on world championship leader Fernando Alonso.

'The title race is wide open again. Ferrari is stronger and we have become weaker and that has resulted in the gap closing. We now need to find the reasons.'

The Italian was surprised at Renault's first real disappointing showing of the season. 'Given the advantage we had at the beginning of the season a fifth and sixth place is not enough.

'The car had no grip during breaking and acceleration. It is a similar problem to what we experienced in Magny-Cours. We need to look at it again. The Michelin tyres are not perfect, but others with Michelin also finished ahead of us,' he told Gazzetta dello Sport.

Schumacher, who has won the last three races and closed the gap on Alonso from 25 points to 11, is now hoping to make it four in a row - thereby winning his 90th Grand Prix.

'I am hoping for a similar performance during the race in Budapest as we had in Hockenheim on Sunday. Our chances are not bad, even though I am normally very careful with such predictions and I am certain the difference between us and Renault will not be as big as they were,' Schumacher said Tuesday on his homepage.

Renault plans to revert back to their old shock-mounts that the sports' governing body FIA has banned. Renault believes that not using them in Germany was one of the reasons why Alonso and Fisichella were left chasing the pack.

But using them in Budapest could result in problems, but Renault seems willing to take that risk.