PARIS, 29 February 2004 — Six-time world motor racing champion Michael Schumacher has bad news for his rivals — he doesn’t believe he is slowing down.
The 35-year-old German has a contract with Ferrari through to the end of 2006 but he told l’Equipe magazine yesterday he could see no reason for retiring in the immediate future. “In a sporting career there are signs which can’t be mistaken, which tell you to pull over. It’s a moment which you can’t avoid,” he concedes.
But he adds: “I’m 35. I don’t feel like it. And that’s what keeps me going. I don’t do a reflex test every morning. I only need to look at my track times and then I know I’m not doing that badly.”
The German broke the track record twice while testing the new Ferrari F2004 at Imola last week. The new season gets under way with the Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne next Saturday and Schumacher sees Williams and Renault as the main threats to Ferrari’s continued domination of the Formula One championship.
McLaren — Ferrari’s rivals over the past few years — have failed to shine so far in testing leaving an unimpressed Schumacher with the impression that Williams and Renault are his main threat to a seventh world title.
“I see Williams and Renault being a threat from the Australian Grand Prix,” he said.
Renault driver Jarno Trulli also believes his team are a good outside bet for the constructors’ championship this season.
“We could be dark horses for this season. Don’t discount us — I am extremely confident,” the Italian said this week.
Juan Pablo Montoya limbered up for the 2004 season by setting a new lap record in testing at Valencia, Spain, in the new Williams FW26 last week.
“The car looks good,” said the Colombian who replaces David Coulthard at McLaren in 2005.
