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New year, new hope for Schumacher
(China Daily)
Updated: 2006-03-03 06:50
LONDON: Michael Schumacher has reason to sound optimistic as he gears up for
what could be the final Formula One season of his career.
 Last year was a nightmare for the seven-times world champion, the worst since
he joined Ferrari from Benetton in 1996.
The indications now are that the Italian team have raised their game. It just
remains to be seen how much of a smile the first race in Bahrain on March 12
puts back on the German's face.
"After all the hard work we've put in during the last couple of weeks, I'm
sure I'm not the only one who thinks it's about time," the 37-year-old said on
his website, looking forward to the season-opener.
"It looks as though we've got a better package this year than we did last
year and we're all ready to compete," added Schumacher.
With just one hollow win in the six-car US Grand Prix fiasco at Indianapolis,
Schumacher had a dismal 2005 that saw Renault's Fernando Alonso end his run of
five world championships in a row.
After scoring a record 148 points in 2004, with 13 wins, Schumacher bagged
just 62 in 2005 as Ferrari's dominance evaporated.
New rules, and particularly a return to the tyre changes that favoured
partner Bridgestone in the past, could help him to turn the tables.
If they do, Schumacher could stay around for some time yet - unless he
decides to go out on top.
Schumacher has a contract that expires at the end of the year and Ferrari's
early season form will help him make his mind up about the future.
"The car has to be competitive," he told Germany's Der
Spiegel in an interview in January. "If I didn't stand a chance of winning races
and competing for the title, I don't think I would be interested in continuing
my career."
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