Michael Schumacher has little illusions at German GP

By Elmar Dreher Jul 20, 2005, 16:52 GMT

Hockenheim, Germany - Michael Schumacher has no illusions as he enters the latest edition of the German Formula One Grand Prix.

"We're not trying to hide the fact that we're a little bit on the hunt for our performance right now," the seven-time world champion said on his homepage www.michael-schumacher.de.

"But another thing we're not hiding, either, is our team's dedication and fighting spirit. Contrary to many other people's opinions, we have in no means written ourselves off, even though we have to admit that the situation has worsened recently, rather than improved," the Ferrari star Schumacher added.

Schumacher has just one season victory, from the farcical U.S. race in which only six cars competed. The last two races in France and Britain saw Schumacher finish third and sixth, respectively, far off the pace set by world championship leader Fernando Alonso.

"We are working and working but not able to improve," admitted Ferrari team boss Jean Todt last week in an interview with Italian daily La Gazzetta dello Sport.

Schumacher was a little more hopeful: "That doesn't mean that it can't be improved again, and that's exactly what we're working on."

The opposition has also not completely written off the Scuderia ahead of Sunday's race.

"The last races were more disappointing for Ferrari than the season-opening ones. But the team remains strong and will recover," said Mercedes motorsport chief Norbert Haug.

"Ferrari were one second ahead of the pack less than a year ago, now they trail by a second. We have turned our deficit into a one-second advantagem, but that doesn't mean we have everything under control and win every race," he added.

Alonso leads the way with 77 points from 11 of 19 season races, McLaren-Mercedes driver Kimi raikkonen ranks second with 51 and Schumacher is third with 43 points.

Ferrari tested new aerodynamics components last week and Schumacher was undergoing final tests at the Ferrari track in Mugello Wednesday before he scheduled arrival on Thursday in Hockenheim, where he won last year.

"I travel to every race with my mind set on achieving the best possible result and I go to every race aspiring to try everything that's within our means," said Schumacher. "We're taking it step by step now, and are working as best we can."