By Elmar Dreher May 1, 2006, 12:40 GMT
Stuttgart, Germany - Michael Schumacher goes into Sunday's European Grand Prix highly motivated to continue bridging the gap on championship leader Fernando Alonso, the German said Monday.
'We should be competitive again,' he said, adding that he would not make any statements regarding next season before the middle of the year.
The seven-time world champion, who won the last Grand Prix in Imola, is confident that the Ferrari will be able to challenge for victory again.
'The victory in Imola has motivated me. After the races in Australia and Malysia, where things did not go very well for us, winning the San Marino Grand Prix was terrific. It was good to see that all our work was not worthless.'
After a few poor performances the Ferrari showing in Imola proved that the car was capable of winning races. Schumacher said he expects the victory in Imola not to be a one-hit-wonder, like last year's performance at the San Marino Grand Prix, where Schumacher finished second but achieved very little else during the rest of the season.
Schumacher, 37, has won the European Grand Prix on the Nuerburgring four times (1995, 2000, 2001, 2004) and is now hoping that a fifth victory will close the gap on the leading Alonso. The Spaniard currently has 36 points, while Schumacher has 21.
Meanwhile Ferrari have upped their attempts to persuade Schumacher to resume his career. 'I know that we will reach an agreement, even if he wants to stay with us for another two years,' Fiat president Luca di Montezemolo told Italian media.
Schumacher's manager Willi Weber has said that if the German signs for next year he will need to earn more money - he is currently said to be earning 35 million euros per year - and receive a contract that goes beyond just one season.
The chance of Schumacher extending his career are fifty-fifty, Montezemolo said. 'We will know more within a month.'
If Schumacher decides against renewing his contract, Ferrari has not yet signed a replacement. Montezemolo again denied the reported agreement with McLaren-Mercedes' Kimi Raikkonen. 'We merely believe he is one of the three best drivers at the moment.'
He said he could imagine motorbike world champion Valentino Rossi driving for Ferrari. 'We will talk to Rossi in the next few weeks to reach a decision.'
Montezemolo said he did not foresee any problems if Rossi joins the team and Schumacher decides to extend his contract. 'Schumacher has not said he is not willing to drive with any other driver.'
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