Schumacher better than ever in 2004

Ferrari team principal Jean Todt believes Michael Schumacher will be better than ever in 2004 after securing his sixth world championship this season. It was not an easy ride to the title in 2003; Schumacher had a close fought battle with Williams' Juan Pablo Montoya and McLaren's Kimi Raikkonen. But come the final race of the season, Schumacher did just enough to secure his record-breaking sixth title.

"The Michael Schumacher we see next year will be the best Michael Schumacher ever," Todt told reporters at Maranello. "He's as motivated as he has ever been and if he went off the track at times this season, it didn't embarrass him too much as he won the title."

"He loves driving and being with the team and winning races. If he feels he is not competitive enough, that is when he will stop. But he is very intelligent. He never compromises -- it's amazing. If we don't see him for a day, we know he's on the kart track. It's in his blood."

Ferrari technical director Ross Brawn is confident Schumacher is not yet ready to hang up his helmet: "Perhaps he's even enjoying it more," he said. "I think he's definitely matured but is not yet past his peak."

Schumacher is currently enjoying a winter break although Ferrari has been hard at work on the test track. Teammate Rubens Barrichello returned to work yesterday but poor weather conditions at Jerez in Spain limited testing for all concerned.

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