By Jens Marx Apr 12, 2006, 16:35 GMT
Frankfurt, Germany - The Formula One season starts in earnest for Ferrari next week in Imola, the team's former world champion Michael Schumacher said in a confident mood on Wednesday.
'The start of races in Europe is to be our world championship start,' Schumacher told Deutsche Presse-Agentur dpa.
'We are very confident because we are positioned much better than it appears. The potential is there. Last week's tests went according to plan, that is always a good sign in Formula One,' he said.
Schumacher came second at the season-opener in Bahrain, but managed only sixth in Malaysia and crashed out in Australia amid growing fears that the team will have a second straight disappointing season.
But Schumacher said: 'Formula One is a crazy world. You must be aware of that, shouldn't get caught in it and become crazy as well.' Schumacher will conduct further tests from Thursday onwards in Barcelona ahead of the April 23 race in Imola which is the San Marino Grand Prix.
Schumacher said that the Ferrari-crazy Italian fans will give the team an even bigger motivation to do well.
'Celebrating tifosi always sooth our nerves. There is nothing better than to feel their support and enthusiasm. It is only natural that we want to give them reason to cheer,' Schumacher said.
The season has so far been dominated by world champions Renault, with title holder Fernando Alonso leading the way with 28 out of 30 possible points. Schumacher has 11.
Schumacher dismissed claims that, given his age of 37 and his deficit on Alonso, he may be taking too many risks in the dangerous sport, with the Melbourne crash named an example.
'I am engaged in my sport in the same way as always, with full determination, a big fighting spirit and lots of fun. That's sport, who have to attack and take risks if you want to win,' he said.
Schumacher reiterated that he won't announce until summer whether he will continue racing beyond his contract which runs until the end of the season.
The German did not want to comment on the latest speculation earlier Wednesday, by Swiss daily Blick, that McLaren driver Kimi Raikkonen has already signed with Ferrari.
'I never comment on rumours,' he said.
Your Talkback on this Story