Complacency won't wreck my dream, says Schumacher
Complacency won't wreck my dream, says Schumacher
LONDON (AFP): Michael Schumacher told the Press Association he would not allow complacency to wreck his dream of regaining the drivers' crown for Ferrari after 21 years.
Schumacher has galloped into a massive lead in the standings heading into the unseasonably early British Grand Prix tomorrow week after winning the opening three races.
The German, though, has vowed not to let up until the coveted trophy is definitely on its way to Ferrari's Maranello headquarters for the first time since 1979.
"I have been around long enough to know the game is not over yet," said Schumacher, who heads Ferrari teammate Rubens Barrichello by 21 points. "I have seen it many times the other way around so I believe I am prepared."
"In 1998 I came from 22 points behind to take it to the final race. The game is over once I have mathematically won the championship. Until then you never know what can happen."
Schumacher, signed to lead Ferrari back to glory after his title triumphs with Benetton in 1994 and 1995, admits it would be a relief to finally achieve his goal - albeit one which has netted him around US$150 million.
"Since the day I signed for Ferrari it has been my challenge, my target to win the title for them," said the 31-year-old.
"It is now the fifth year we are fighting so it will be a big relief if we can finally do it, though I believe the team should have got the title earlier because they deserved it."
"It will be completely different to winning the title for the first time. It is like victories. It is hard to compare them."
"I have had victories that look very similar, but emotion-wise they are different."
Schumacher's chances of finally ending Jody Scheckter's long reign as Ferrari's last world champion have been boosted by his best start since he donned the famous red overalls in 1996.
The triple whammy in Australia, Brazil and San Marino has left him just one short of matching the four straight wins from the start of a season he achieved with Benetton in 1994.
Schumacher eventually won that year in controversial fashion from Britain's Damon Hill by just one point after running into disqualification problems and will not let that happen again.
"I had a strange season in 1994 and took a lot of memories from that," added Schumacher, who admitted his large advantage over his McLaren rivals is a surprise.
World champion Mika Hakkinen, who has led all three races so far, is 24 points adrift with McLaren team-mate David Coulthard two points further back.
He added: "I didn't expect such a big lead this year. I am very surprised at McLaren. We seem to have the speed and the reliability."
"I am not saying we are better but we are making the maximum out of our opportunities."
"But whatever sport you do if it is on such a high-profile your victory lasts only to the next event. If I am going to lose next week then we won't be happy so we will approach it determined to win."
"Our car has now been competitive in three different circumstances so I don't see any reason why we shouldn't be competitive at Silverstone."
"As we have seen in Imola it is such a tight fight and battle. It went our way at Imola, but it doesn't mean it will go my way next time."
"With the margin that I have if it doesn't go my way and I score say six points I believe I will have enough reasons to be happy."
Schumacher has no fears about returning to the track where his challenge ended on a stretcher last year, taken away after crashing into a tire-barrier at Stowe Corner on the very first lap.