"This has been a very tough championship all the way through the year, and it will go down to Brazil.
Ferrari is a strong competitor, but we have clear targets for these races. I am trying to get third in the drivers’
championship, Fernando wants to win, and, for both those things, we have to beat the Ferraris. If we can do that, then the constructors’ championship will be ours."
McLaren - Kimi Raikkonen (#3), Pedro de la Rosa (#4):
Kimi Raikkonen did all he could to prevent
Renault taking the constructors'
title a year ago, and battled just as hard to prevent a popular home win for Ferrari in Italy three weeks ago. Knowing that he was on his way to Maranello for 2007, however, will had added some joy to his scintillating pole, even if beating Schumacher on Sunday proved impossible. The Finn, however is still seeking his first win of the year
"So far in China, I have finished in third and second, so my aim for this year is to take the top step of the podium with McLaren and Mercedes,” he said “The Shanghai track is great to drive, and is quite wide, so it can be good for overtaking. You do need good mechanical grip for the slower corners, and having good speed is vital too."
Although not yet confirmed through to Brazil, Pedro de la Rosa has at least two more chances to prove he is worthy of the seat alongside countryman Alonso at McLaren next year, and is keen to get back into the points in China having been forced out of the Italian GP by engine failure.
“Since the Italian Grand Prix three weeks ago, we tested at
Silverstone for two days, and my programme focused on tyres for Shanghai and Japan," the Spaniard reported, "It was a good session, but I am now really looking forward to getting back to driving in Shanghai.
"I drove there last year on Friday with the team, and really enjoyed the track. It is the kind of circuit that you understand really quickly, so can start pushing to the limits right away. I completed 50 laps last year, so I have some good experience of the track and can’t wait to race on it.”
Ferrari - Michael Schumacher (#5), Felipe Massa (#6):
With his retirement announcement out of the way, despite rumour and speculation following in its wake, Schumacher should cut a more relaxed figure as he continues his pursuit of an eighth world title in China, even though he has yet to prove himself at the Shanghai venue.
