Schumi hopes for win in career finale - but does not expect title

By Elmar Dreher Oct 17, 2006, 16:34 GMT

Stuttgart - Michael Schumacher doesn't expect a world championship miracle in his last career race on Sunday.

Schumacher didn't even mention the drivers title in his latest website posting made Tuesday, saying only he would love to quit Formula One racing with first place at the Brazilian Grand Prix and a constructors title for Ferrari.

'I have said before that I would like to give my team the constructors title as a farewell gift, therefore our tactics will simply be attack.

'And it would naturally be nice to win the race. It would be a great finale for me and a welcome occasion to party big-time,' said Schumacher.

When Schumacher' engine blew 10 days ago in Japan and rival Fernando Alonso won the race it all but ended Schumacher's dream of quitting on top with a possible eighth world title.

Alonso leads by 10 points and Schumacher can only stop the Spanish Renault driver from back-to-back titles if he wins and Alonso doesn't finish in the top eight.

A win is worth 10 points and Schumacher would get the title based on season wins (8-7).

Renault lead the constructors standings over Ferrari by nine points.

Ferrari will be on their own as no one - be it family or fellow-German - intends to hand out farewell gifts to the German who bettered virtually every record in the fast sport and could well break another in his last race. If he wins in Sao Paulo and Alonso gets at least a point, Schumacher would be the first driver to win eight races in one season without winning the championship.

'As much as I would like Michael to win the title, Toyota would never tolerate on overdose of love among brothers,' said Ralf Schumacher.

BMW driver Nick Heidfeld said: 'I wouldn't even help Michael if he gives me 10 million euros, becomes my chauffeur and tells the whole world I am the best driver in the world.'

No one in the sport, including Renault team boss Flavio Briatore, believes that someone will shunt Alonso off the piste.

A technical problem is also unlikely as Renault are considered the most reliable team along with Ferrari.

Renault also have the upper hand Sunday as Alonso doesn't have to take any risk and can simply settle for eighth place without over-using the engine. Schumacher, by contrast, must win which could make Ferrari more vulnerable on the technical side.