Thursday January 13th, 2000

Michael Schumacher has been at Madonna di Campiglio for a couple of days, and some of the journalists have seen him skiing. They remarked to him at his press conference that he didn't seem to be having any trouble with the leg he broke at Silverstone last season. "It's not giving me any problems," confirmed Michael. "I think it's healed well. I'm practically not limping at all. It's a bit difficult if I have to run fast and play football, but otherwise it's OK."

Michael went on to reveal that he was motivated for the coming season - and that his future was very definitely with Ferrari. "After all the difficulties that I had after my accident, I have to say that Ferrari and I grew closer together because of the way they treated me when I wasn't able to race. Sure, there were one or two hiccoughs, like the announcement of my return, but really the relationship is very strong between us."

But, said a journalist, if you hadn't been with Ferrari, you might have won more World Championships at this stage. "I'm not interested in just winning, it's the way you win," explained Michael.

The coming season is full of promise, he continued. "In December I saw the mock-up of the 2000 car and I was very favourably impressed, not only with the car, but the figures produced by the new engine." But in four years, you have been so close, but still not won the World Championship, persevered a journalist. "I knew we didn't have a chance early on, but since then we've been very competitive, and there isn't pressure even now. However, I would like to win for Ferrari in the first year of the new century."

Don't you feel that last year could have been yours, when you see how close a fairly average driver like Eddie Irvine got to the championship, said another journalist? "It's not fair to call Eddie an average driver. He won four races," replied Michael. "There are too many 'ifs' and 'buts' and you can't prove anything that way," he continued. "I just hope the fans have the patience to wait for me to win the World Championship.

"After two seasons at Benetton, I accepted the challenge to drive for Ferrari and to try and win the World Championship for them. I wanted that challenge and I have had no reason to regret the decision that I took at that time."

Michael then returned to the subject of Rubens Barrichello, his new teammate, and his recent testing performances. "I've seen the results of Rubens' testing at Barcelona and it's been very encouraging. I'm testing there next Monday and Tuesday. Characterwise, I think Rubens is closer in character to me than Eddie was. He's married, like me, and I think we can work together well and become personal friends."

But Rubens is out to win, someone pointed out. Now Michael clarified the situation within the Ferrari team regarding Numbers One and Two drivers. "It's never written into any contract that a driver is a Number Two driver. The Number Two is always the slowest driver. Eddie Irvine was always Number Two because he was slower. I'm sorry, but I couldn't drive slower so that he could be Number One! But it will be the same with Rubens Barrichello. If Rubens is quicker than me, then he will be Number One and I will be Number Two. If it's the other way around?

"But I think Ferrari made the right choice employing Rubens Barrichello. I enjoyed four years with Eddie, but I think employing Rubens is a move forward for us."

Inevitably, there was the question about whether Michael and brother Ralf could drive in the same team. "If that happens," replied Michael, "it means that one of us has to win and one has to lose and we wouldn't like that. I think things are best the way they are."

Finally, Michael was asked about his new engineer. His engineer for the last four years, Ignazio Lunetta, has been promoted to pitlane co-ordinator, and he will now work with Luca Baldiserri. "I'm comfortable with that," says Michael. "I know him well. We've sat around the same table at briefings for the last few years, so it's no problem."

Tomorrow, Michael will take part in a demonstration run of karts on the Madonna di Campiglio ice rink, but will teammate Rubens Barrichello and Ferrari test driver Luca Badoer treat it as such? Joining them are Gianni Morbidelli, with whom Badoer clashed at the Bercy kart races a few years ago, and former Ferrari drivers Rene Arnoux and Nicola Larini?