Michael has undergone an intense week of testing in Italy and ran over 2500km (1550 miles) in the F2005. With the opening of the European season, the world champion wants to get back to the top in Formula 1.

"There is no doubt about this: our objective is to begin winning again and I think we have a good chance," declared Schumacher.

After three missed opportunities, the current world champion still has sixteen races to compete in. "The World Championship, despite the opinion of some pessimists, has not yet been decided. For sure, the start of the season has not gone as well as we would have liked but from the outside the situation seems worse than it is in reality. We have had a lot of bad luck. In Australia, for example, I could have finished in the points if the weather had been better. I was also very hopeful in Bahrain. The race for the world title has not yet reached the decisive stage. The season is a long one and the classification can change."

But is the gap to the current leader, Fernando Alonso, too large at 24 points? Michael shakes his head and smiles. "Twenty four points seem like a lot but it is not impossible to catch up," he stated. "We should remember that events have gone in Fernando Alonso’s favour so far this season. We cannot take it for granted that things will always be like this. Alonso will have to begin thinking about the championship and act differently on certain occasions, keeping out of trouble in order to earn precious points. I, on the other hand, have nothing to lose. I can only attack and press on. All the other drivers can take more risks than he can."

Michael’s weekend of racing will begin on Wednesday with the traditional charity football match with the national drivers. The team will meet a squad from Cervia at the Olympic stadium in San Marino. Kick-off is planned for 19.00 and the game will be shown live on Italian TV. On Thursday Michael will be present at the official FIA press conference.