Schumacher banking on Italian fan support in Alonso chase

Sep 5, 2006, 14:28 GMT

Hamburg - Seven-time world champion Michael Schumacher said Tuesday he was banking on the support of home fans at Sunday's Italian Grand Prix as he tries to overhaul title-holder Fernando Alonso in the Formula One drivers' championship.

Schumacher goes into Ferrari's home race in Monza 12 points behind the Renault driver, but the 37-year-old German said he was confident Italian fans would be an additional boost to the team.

'It is always a great festival for us there because the tifosi (Italian fans) are mostly united behind us,' he said on his internet page.

'As at times in the past we are coming to Monza behind in the world championship and going all out to turn things around.'

With four races left this season, Schumacher now has to rely on his rival failing if he wants to claim an eighth title. Even if the Ferrari driver wins all four remaining races and Alonso comes second, the Spaniard would retain his title.

In the constructors' championship, the title race is much closer, with Ferrari only two points behind Renault.

The high-speed Monza circuit is expected to favour the Ferraris of Schumacher and Brazilian team-mate Felipe Massa. Schumacher said the team was 'full of good spirits and banking on the support of the tifosi' going into the race.

Schumacher admitted that closing the 12-point gap would not be easy.

'But our strategy has to be attacking. We have to close the gap and the only way to do that is by consistently putting on the pressure and pushing hard,' he said.

'It's not the first time we've been in a situation like this and our experience will be of help to us. I think our chances of turning the championship around are very good. Lots of things can still happen in the remaining four races. I think we still have every reason to dream of winning both titles.'

Schumacher is refusing to comment on his future until after Sunday's race. Ferrari is set to announce its drivers for the 2007 season immediately after the Grand Prix.

Ferrari chief Luca di Montezemola would also not be drawn when he appeared Monday evening at Lancia's 100th anniversary celebrations in Venice.

'We will talk about Schumacher on Sunday evening,' he said.

On the race itself, he said: 'We have to win. I think the whole team will be working for Schumacher.'