Schumacher geared up for Indianapolis

Michael Schumacher is ready for the penultimate round of the 2003 Formula One championship at Indianapolis, where he expects the close fought battle to be just as intense. Ferrari spent last week's three-fold test session working on set up for the ...

Michael Schumacher is ready for the penultimate round of the 2003 Formula One championship at Indianapolis, where he expects the close fought battle to be just as intense. Ferrari spent last week's three-fold test session working on set up for the Indy layout, a demanding combination of a very long high speed straight and twisty infield. Schumacher knows Indianapolis is traditionally a circuit suited to Williams but doesn't think past results will predict the outcome.

Michael Schumacher.

Photo by Brousseau Photo.

"We were able to carry out our programme without any problems," he said of the test days. "I worked for three days at Jerez without any particular difficulties, Felipe Massa did the tests at Monza and Luca Badoer at Fiorano."

"We are geared up for Indianapolis: a lot of people say that it is a track that is more adapted to BMW-Williams but we can't say that we agree. The same thing was said about Monza but, after a tough fight, we won out. This means two things: predictions based on performances of years gone by are no longer reliable and that every tiny error can have serious consequences. Whoever is able to exploit the resources during the weekend will come out on top."

Schumacher is three points ahead of Juan Pablo Montoya in the Driver's standings and Williams four ahead of Ferrari in the Constructors' so there's no breathing space at Indianapolis. McLaren's Kimi Raikkonen is also still in the title fight, although is considered an outsider now. Victory at Monza gave Ferrari a much-needed boost but Schumacher knows there's still hard work to come.

"The competition is so tight that crossing the line first could depend on each day's results," he said. "It is a great challenge that we take on without fear and the other teams will do the same."

"The success at Monza has motivated us even more, but we know we are in a battle and we will not make the mistake of resting on our laurels. We are talking about sport, and in sport you can never plan anything down the finest detail. In any case, we are very well prepared will show our fighting spirit once again at Indianapolis."