Schumacher

MARANELLO, Italy -- Michael Schumacher declared himself ready for battle on Monday when Ferrari unveiled the car that could take him to a record seventh Formula One title.

"I am ready. We are ready for the new challenge and the new year," the German said, joining teammate Rubens Barrichello and test driver Luca Badoer in showing off the F2004.

Ferrari president Luca Di Montezemolo, whose team starts the new season in Australia on March 7 chasing a sixth successive constructors' title, applauded his brevity.

"When drivers don't say much it's a good sign. When they talk too much they invent things," he declared. "How they drive is what matters."

There were no surprises with the new car, which looked very similar to last year's, with the exception of the higher airbox and larger rear wing in accordance with new regulations.

But Ferrari bosses said appearances were deceptive.

"No radical changes have been made but interventions have been done in depth," said designer Rory Byrne.

"Many new components will be introduced during our test program in February so the car we will race in Melbourne will look different in many areas to the one you see here," he added.

"Once again this car represents another significant step in performance and I am proud to say that this is the best Ferrari we have produced ... so far," said technical director Ross Brawn in a prepared speech.

"Our analysis of the 2003 season has highlighted the areas where we were strong and those where we were weak," he added.

"We did not react aggressively enough to the opportunities presented by the 2003 regulation changes and for 2004 we have worked to ensure that we will not make the same mistake."

Schumacher, 35, is starting his ninth year with Ferrari, a record for a driver with the team, and is contracted to the end of 2006 along with Barrichello and core team staff.

The German was pushed right to the end of the championship last year before claiming his record sixth crown and nobody at Ferrari on Monday was expecting it to be any easier this year.

"We want to win but now it is more news when Ferrari are beaten than when they win," said Montezemolo. "We will try to give as little news as possible and win as often as we can.

"It's going to be a hard fight and a difficult year. But I want to have the same conclusion."

"Our stability is our strong point," said sporting director Jean Todt. "We have a very solid group of confident, skilled people. This makes me think we have everything we need to reach our target."

Brawn said the new car had passed its mandatory FIA structural tests last Friday and a second chassis would be on the track by next month.

The new car will run for the first time at the end of the week, with Schumacher at the wheel and testing will then continue at Mugello, Imola and Fiorano in February.

Another tough year
Schumacher says this year could be his toughest yet as he aims for a record seventh Formula One title.

"I think the next one is always the toughest," the Ferrari driver said at the launch of his team's new car.

"It might be true that its going to be a little bit more difficult than it has been last year, although that's almost impossible. But we'll find out."

The German was taken down to the wire last year by McLaren's young Finn Kimi Raikkonen, with Colombian Juan Pablo Montoya's title challenge snuffed out in the penultimate race of the closest season in ages.

On his way to becoming the first driver to win six titles, Schumacher won six grands prix but struggled in qualifying and suffered the indignity of being lapped in Hungary.

By August, Williams were favorites for the championship. But a tire controversy and a return to form at Monza set Ferrari up for a final push, with Schumacher taking the title at Suzuka after finishing eighth.

The 35-year-old said, however, that rule changes and a new points system had exaggerated the situation.

"I knew Kimi was a very good racing driver, he had a good car and was very consistent although you should ask whether with so many second positions he should actually at the end of the season be that close.

"Is that correct or not correct? I have my own opinion, and I think no," he said.

"It's nothing to do with Kimi, that's a general matter. Regarding Kimi, I think he will do a very good job this year again."

Schumacher said he was confident his new car would be competitive and reliable from the start and also defended tire supplier Bridgestone against those who suggested they would struggle this year.

"There's been a lot of discussion about tires. If I'm correct, last year I think we won both championships with those tires. So it can't be that bad," he said.

"We have been looking very strong at the last test in Barcelona, so all in all I think we are ready for the game."

The new F2004 looks very similar to last year's F2003-GA whereas brother Ralf's new Williams has made news with a radical front nose unlike anything seen so far in Formula One.

Schumacher agreed it was interesting.

"If you talk to the designers, you hear that its a solution that some have tried before so its not completely unknown for them," he said.

"So it will be interesting to see how long it goes that way and whether other teams in the end find a solution and go the same route or not. It's an innovation but at the end of the day it has to be quick enough."