Michael Schumacher optimistic for Brazil

Reigning champion Michael Schumacher is even more optimistic for the Brazilian Grand Prix now Ferrari have decided to race the F2002 at the Interlagos circuit. The new car had some reliability problems in testing and the team opted to start the season using last year's F2001; now the problems have been resolved Schumacher will get the chance to show what this year's challenger can do in a few days time.

With Ferrari behind Williams in the Constructors' standings after Ralf Schumacher and Juan Pablo Montoya's 1-2 finish in Malaysia, the Maranello marque decided the time had come to get the new chassis on track. There were positive reports from technical and engineering directors after last week's testing session at Barcelona and one F2002, which Schumacher will drive, will be in use this weekend.

"I was optimistic before, now I am even more optimistic," said the four time world champion. "In Formula One you must always go forward. The F2002 is faster than the F2001 and therefore I was delighted with the team's decision. We have never driven the new car in conditions similar to the ones we'll have in Brazil, but all our tests have indicated that the F2002 is reliable."

Four Ferraris are due to arrive in Sao Paulo today, the F2002 for Schumacher plus last year's reworked car as a spare and two modified F2001s for Rubens Barrichello.