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.