Schumacher spun out of last year's Chinese Grand Prix, and finished only twelfth in Shanghai's
F1 debut, having failed to set a time after a spin in single-lap qualifying. Despite the dramatic reduction in his deficit to Alonso, however, the German remains pessimistic about his title chances.
"I still have a point to prove at Shanghai, so I will see if things turn out as I want," he mused, "The circuit is a fine one and the facilities are...
well, amazing, but both races I have disputed there have not gone very well,
although Rubens won the first ever race and this means that our car should do well. Unlike last year, we have a better all-round set-up [with the 248 F1] and hope to improve my results.
"Our aim is clear - we have to focus on the title, but I feel that our best chance lies in the constructors' championship although, obviously, I would like to claim both crowns. We will be going all out for that, and we will have our fingers crossed.
"We have worked hard, and I think that we can be hopeful. We have every chance of taking the title though, in my opinion, it will be tough. We should not underestimate
Renault and will be focusing solely on our strengths. We will be going all out in the final races and we will see what the season has in store for us. I think we have a good chance, above all in the constructors' championship, where we are in a good position as Felipe's input has proved decisive, especially in the last three races."
Team-mate Massa's victory in Turkey went a long way to convincing the
tifosi that he will be an adequate partner for Raikkonen next year, even though the Brazilian's Monza showing was poor. Embroiled in the Alonso qualifying affair after protesting the Spaniard for blocking him, Massa then went on to struggle in the race, eventually missing out on the final point after shredding a tyre in the closing stages.
Toyota - Ralf Schumacher (#7), Jarno Trulli (#8):
After
Jarno Trulli's seventh-place finish at Monza, and
Ralf Schumacher's haul from Istanbul, Toyota will be looking to maintain its momentum through the three flyaway races that close the season, before the same pairing pick up the cudgels in 2007. The technical team is confident of a return to better performance in China and the drivers will both be pushing hard on a circuit they enjoy.
